Gratitude Buddies FAQ
1. What is Gratitude Buddies?
Gratitude Buddies is an online platform that fosters meaningful gratitude, emotional bonds, and personal growth. Whether you're looking to feel more hopeful, nurture self-awareness or connect with a Buddy who shares your values, Gratitude Buddies creates a space for reflection, encouragement, and shared experience. By practicing gratitude together, we not only change how we see the world but also how we show up in it.
2. What do you mean by “practice gratitude?”
When gratitude is a practice, it becomes an active part of daily life. We commit to intentional discovery, noticing and looking deeply - with an open and curious eye. Often, gratitude is hidden in the details we miss rushing through our day. “Practicing gratitude” means we notice - or awaken to - the little supports or joys or curiosities of daily life and we reflect on what they mean to us. We do this in a journal, meditation, conversation or simply scanning through our day before sleep.
3. Do I really need a platform to practice gratitude?
Not necessarily! When reflecting on gratitude, many people note things like "family," "friends," or "health." These are wonderful, but Gratitude Buddies encourages deeper exploration, helping users uncover often-overlooked details in a good life. Our guided platform can transform your relationship with gratitude and enrich your awareness of the gifts in everyday moments. Moreover, we provide structured guidance for you and a Buddy to work together in a low-pressure way.
4. Who will my Buddy be?
You have a few options:
BYOB - Bring Your Own Buddy: someone you already know
Find a Community Buddy: Use the “Search” and “Tags” features to connect with someone in the Gratitude Buddies community
Ask us! For an additional fee, we can match you
Get a Coach. Work with one of our Coaches, who will support you with virtual check-ins.
Each paid member gets to invite one new Buddy per month to practice with them.
5. Where do my Buddy and I begin?
We recommend starting with the 30-Day Guided Journey, or the shorter 7-Day Guided Journey. Both options are designed to deepen your gratitude experience. If you’re working with a new Buddy, the 7-Day Journey offers a chance to see if the match is a good fit.
6. I finished 30 Days, now what?
You can start over with a new Buddy or move on to the 365-Day program for an ongoing gratitude practice. If you and your Buddy prefer less content, go straight to 365 Days.
7. Why should I practice gratitude with a Buddy?
Studies show that practicing gratitude regularly can boost mental health, increase happiness, and reduce stress. Having a Buddy adds support by providing a witness, sounding board, and accountability on your gratitude journey. It can be a cool way to meet someone new, strengthen an existing bond, or support a friend having a rough time. That being said, you don’t have to practice with a Buddy…. some people like the platform and want to do it alone. That’s fine!
8. How is Gratitude Buddies different from other mental health platforms?
Gratitude Buddies emphasizes connection. Practicing gratitude with a partner, rather than alone, adds accountability, encourages reflection, and creates a meaningful sense of connection. Our 30-Day Journey is a full immersive experience, establishing gratitude and a mindset shift as a regular part of your life. You can search for Buddies by preferred criteria and find someone who can relate to your specific life challenges.
9. Is Gratitude Buddies an app?
Not yet! But we’re working on it. Right now, it’s web-based but works well on a mobile phone. What we lack in high-tech, we try to make up for in human touch. ☺️ Please feel free to send suggestions on what you’d like to see in future iterations.
10. Is Gratitude Buddies free to use?
Yes, there is a free membership that includes profile creation and access to daily prompts. You can also connect with other Buddies through profiles. However, paid members gain access to enhanced features like daily themes, curated content, and meditations. Since paid members can invite a Buddy every month, free members may also receive a free invite.
11. What if my buddy isn’t a good fit?
This is why we recommend starting with the 7-Day Guided Journey or setting a specific start and end date within 365 Days. Then decide if you want to go further or you feel complete. Gratitude Buddies aren’t meant to be forever!
12. My Buddy doesn’t share much. What should I do?
Discuss expectations and comfort levels before you begin. Some Buddies are open, while others are more reserved. This conversation can help clarify what sharing gratitude means to you both.
13. When I practice with a Buddy I censor myself. Is that normal?
It can be. Different buddies bring out different sides of our personalities, just like different friends do. As we go, we may notice that there are many things we’re grateful for in a day - which is great. We don’t have to share all of them.
14. My Buddy’s gratitude list triggers hard feelings in me (eg, envy, guilt, sadness, etc.)
Ouch, no one likes those. But generally, we see this as a good thing. Bringing awareness and self-compassion to difficult feelings can be very healing. Place a hand on your heart and see if you can breathe into it. From a mindfulness perspective, we recommend moving toward the feeling and not away from it.
15. What if my Buddy is inappropriate?
Gratitude Buddies is not a place for profanity or sexual content. Cease contact and report to us asap.
16. Can I invite a friend to be my buddy?
Great idea - yes! An opening conversation about sharing and expectations would still be helpful.
17. Is Gratitude Buddies for dating?
It is not the primary goal, but hey, anything can happen. When you fill out a profile, please indicate that you are open to “Maybe More than a Buddy.” Otherwise, please respect boundaries and refrain from sexual content.
18. How much time does it take to participate each day?
Around 10 minutes per day. You’re welcome to spend more time if you choose.
19. What if I forget to check in one day?
Not everyone wants to practice every day. Decide frequency with your Buddy and try to stick with it. If you find yourself missing a number of days, please let your Buddy know. Do NOT ghost a Buddy. Ghosting is a big no-no here.
20. What if I haven’t written to my Buddy in a while and I feel embarrassed?
As mentioned above, we embrace hard feelings here. Breathe into it and gather the courage to write your Buddy and explain.
21. My Buddy doesn’t seem engaged or hasn’t written me in a while.
Check in. If it’s not working out, close this chapter and if you like, open another one.
22. Can Gratitude Buddies help with anxiety or depression?
While Gratitude Buddies is not a substitute for professional therapy, practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on mental well-being, helping reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a positive outlook. For those with severe symptoms, we recommend using Gratitude Buddies alongside other mental health support.
23. How does Gratitude Buddies help with loneliness?
Ideally, Gratitude Buddies should give you something to look forward to: it fosters regular interactions that can reduce isolation and increase feelings of connection. Sharing daily gratitude moments with a Buddy helps you feel seen and supported, even on difficult days.
24. How can I upgrade my membership?
Upgrading your membership is simple—just go to your account settings and select the membership tier that best fits your needs. Paid memberships offer enhanced features, including guided meditations and messaging, as well as premium content.
25. What types of gratitude prompts can I expect?
Gratitude Buddies provides daily prompts to inspire reflection and get to know another person more deeply. They cover themes like small joys, personal achievements, connections, and mindfulness. Basic prompts in 365 Days are free, but upgrading allows access to all features and courses.
26. Is my information private on Gratitude Buddies?
Yes, privacy is crucial to us, and our platform follows strict data protection practices. Messages sent through Gratitude Buddies are deleted after 90 days, though you and your Buddy retain email copies. We do not and never will share your information with third parties.
27. Does Gratitude Buddies work with organizations?
Happily! We offer custom programs to fit your your company’s needs. Options include: keynote addresses, thematic workshops and webinars, coaching, anonymous Buddy matching and more. You can find out more here.
