44 Winter Journal Prompts for Comfort and New Beginnings
Of all the seasons, I’d say that winter is my least favorite. I don’t like the cold weather.
I miss the sunlight.
And let’s not forget about that wind chill that smacks you in the face out of nowhere every time the wind blows. (It’s literally the worst ever.)
But since there’s no way to skip this season, let’s turn our efforts towards the little things that we can do to benefit from the winter.
The season brings on a slowness that makes you want to stand still, reflect, and turn inward.
And what better way to tap into that reflection energy than with some winter journal prompts?
Table of Contents
Why Your Winter Habits Matter
Before we get to the prompts, let’s talk about your winter habits.
The coldness and darkness that come with winter can be tough on our moods. We tend to feel down, stagnant and drained. So having good habits that prioritize your self-care, warmth, and well-being can make all the difference in how you navigate this season.
Let these prompts be your guide to figuring out how you can uplift your spirit, find your inner warmth, and lean into relaxation during a time that forces you to be still.
44 Winter Journal Prompts for Comfort and New Beginnings
As you read these prompts, remember to take your time to process your thoughts and your feelings. The more open and honest you can be with yourself, the more you’ll gain from your answers. So don’t judge yourself.
Tuning into Your Inner Warmth
1. What brings you comfort during the winter months? Try describing the things on your list in detail. Also, include what makes each special for you.
2. Think about your home on a cold winter day. What are your favorite ways to create a cozy environment at home? You can think beyond extra pillows or blankets. Maybe it’s a candle or a certain color that gives your home that cozy vibe.
3. List three people or animals in your life that make you feel warmth and joy. Include specific details about what this person/animal does to make you feel this way.
4. What winter activities make you feel the happiest even on a gloomy winter day? Describe these activities in detail and include why each one is special.
5. How can you create a winter self-care routine that feels nurturing? Incorporate things that make you feel your best. It could be certain foods, books, sounds, journaling, etc….
6. What small pleasures can you incorporate into your day to bring warmth? This isn’t limited to physical things. Think about experiences also. It could be something as simple as getting up early to watch the sunrise.
7. What role does gratitude play in your winter season? Is it something you intentionally make part of your day? Think about your feelings of gratitude during this season. If it isn’t part of your day, why not?
8. How can you prioritize spending time with loved ones during the colder months? Even if you prefer staying in the comfort of your own home, you can still spend time with loved ones. Some ideas include bonfires, virtual face calls, small gatherings, etc….
9. What are your favorite books, movies, or shows that you tend to watch during the winter that make you feel cozy and warm on the inside? Try listing at least two things from each category. Include details on how these make you feel warm on the inside.
10. When you’re feeling overwhelmed during the winter season, what do you do to reinvite comfort and peace into your life? What do you do to feel at peace again? Is it a breathing technique, do you call a specific person, or do you eat your favorite food?
11. If you were to create a winter comfort kit, what must-have items would you include in it? List out the items and explain the role each serves in bringing you winter joy.
I’m going to jump in here and answer prompt #1: Something that brings me comfort during the winter months is my heated blanket. I’m not sure how I ever existed without it, but I know that I would feel incomplete if I couldn’t wrap myself up in it at the end of a long, chilly day. It really does make the winter just a little more bearable.
Prioritizing Rest, then Recharge
12. List 3-5 habits you want to let go of this winter. Include the reasons why you’re getting rid of habits.
13. What beliefs do you hold about yourself that no longer serve you? What are the origins of these beliefs? Where did they come from? Be specific and detailed.
14. How can you create space for new habits that better align with who you are? Think about who you are at your core and how these new habits will change your life for the better.
15. What past experiences are you ready to leave behind? What is it about this experience that makes you want to leave it behind? Will leaving it behind help you grow or heal?
16. What expectations are you holding onto that you want to release? What actions do you need to take to release these expectations? Are these your expectations or are they expectations others have placed on you?
17. Describe two ways in which you can simplify your daily routine for more mental clarity. Think about decreasing activities that may take up too much of your mental energy like mindless scrolling on social media.
18. What are some thought patterns that continue to weigh you down and stop you from making moves? For each thought listed, think of a way to redirect the thought into something more neutral.
19. Describe how you can make more time for quiet reflection this winter. How do you see yourself benefiting from having this reflection time for yourself?
20. What physical belongings no longer bring you joy and need to be removed from your space? Look around at things that make your space feel cluttered or that you no longer use. Do any of the items hold sentimental value?
21. In what ways can you create more mental and emotional space in your life? List at least two steps you can take to feel lighter. It could be a mindset shift or setting a new boundary.
22. What are some new boundaries you can set to protect your peace during this season? Think about boundaries that would help with relaxation, rest, and your inner peace.
My answer to prompt #15: I’m so ready to leave behind situations and experiences in which I did not speak up for myself. I let way too many things slide last year. Thinking about these situations makes me feel frustrated, but I take it all as a lesson and plan to move differently going forward.
Letting Go of the Past Year
23. What accomplishments from the past year are you most proud of? Think about your reasons for accomplishing these things. What did you learn about yourself from these accomplishments?
24. What difficult experiences from the past year are you ready to let go of? When you think about these experiences, do you feel that they helped you to grow at all?
25. Describe one key lesson from the past year that you’d like to share with another person. Try formatting the lesson as a mission statement.
26. List three habits from this year that have served you well and are worth keeping. Include details on how these habits have helped you grow.
27. What are your current self-care practices for the winter? Try listing at least 3 practices and for each one explain how it helps you navigate the winter season.
28. Name one area of your daily routine that you’d like to revamp. How will revamping this area refresh your routine?
29. Are there any friendships are relationships you want to give less time to? If so, list 2-3 pros and cons for each relationship. Think about what would your life be like if you chose to invest less in these relationships.
30. Write down 5 ways of how you plan to take better care of your body this winter. Focus on both internal and external things. It could be getting more rest or perhaps spending more time moisturizing your skin.
31. What mental health practices do you need to start including to help you feel more balanced? Think about ways you can positively impact or shift your mindset.
32. How would you describe your environment over the past year? Was it peaceful, relaxed, or encouraging? What exactly made it that way? Is there anything you’d change?
33. Describe two acts of kindness you’d like to show yourself that you didn’t get to do this past year. What will these acts of kindness prove to you? Will it strengthen you?
My answer to prompt #25: You owe no loyalty to people or places that are not loyal to you.
Planning for New Beginnings
34. Write down three hopes you have for yourself in the new year. Include details about why these hopes are important for your life.
35. As you step into the next chapter of your life, what is one major goal you’ll be working towards? List out the three main steps to completing this goal. Include your reason for having this goal and how you will celebrate once it is achieved.
36. Identify two habits you’d like to cultivate in the new year. What are your reasons for choosing to build and strengthen these habits?
37. In what ways do you plan to grow in the year ahead? Which aspects of personal growth will you focus on the most?
38. Detail 3 meaningful steps you can take right now to set yourself up for success in the coming months. As you think about these steps also think about what success truly means to you and not society’s definition of success.
39. What does a fulfilling year look like to you? Think about fulfilling the year in aspects of experiences, feelings, opportunities, and personal achievements.
40. Describe some activities or changes you will be making in the new year to allow more joy in your life. This could be setting new boundaries, starting a new business, or even sleeping in late.
41. Write a list of five new skills or hobbies you’d to try. Now list them in order of importance to you and include why you find these skills/hobbies appealing.
42. What are some things you want to manifest in the coming year? Brainstorm ideas for manifesting things that will improve your life like increasing your knowledge or improving your finances.
43. What are some ways you can stay balanced and focused as you work towards your goal? Think about practices and habits that help you stay grounded when life feels busy.
44. Think of three boundaries you can set to prioritize rest. Hint hint: Learn to say no to things you really don’t want to do and don’t have time to do.
My answer to prompt #40: Some activities or changes I will be making in the new year are to spend less time on social media and more time doing things I love like reading, listening to music, and puzzles.
3 Ways to Incorporate Journaling into Your Winter Routine
Turning journaling into a regular winter habit is a great way to work on self-care and to navigate the winter season with a little more ease.
Here are 3 ways to make journaling part of your winter routine:
- Whether it’s in the morning with a hot cup of tea or in the evening right before bed, set aside a specific time for journaling.
- Have a cozy journaling space in a relaxing atmosphere that includes things like candles, a blanket, or even a cup of coffee.
- You don’t need to journal for hours each day. Even five to ten minutes can be powerful. The goal is to remain consistent in your practice.
So grab a pen and let this winter be a time of rest, reflection, and growth.
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