30 Winter Journal Prompts for Adults: Self-Reflection Guide
- The Betty Edit
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 23
As we begin the journey into the dark days of winter, it brings a time of introspection for me. I often feel a sense of nostalgia brought on by the holidays and another year gone by. It both saddens and gladdens me to see time marching on -- this bittersweet love story of life. During the doldrum days, I often feel the need to take stock of the year - reveling in dark nights and darker mornings - a quiet sense of newly minted time wraps me in a blanket of reflection. Journaling helps me find new purpose by exploring dark feelings and recognizing where I can find joy, one day at a time.
Journaling has always been something cathartic for me. I am naturally introverted and tend to shy away from sharing my feelings. During tough times, I pull into myself and sit alone with my thoughts--often needing to be as still and quiet as possible. Perhaps it's not the healthiest approach, but it's deeply rooted in my identity. Journaling goes from my heart to hand to paper and often allows me to let go of things, both good and bad, to get me back to focusing on the present moment.
Going into this winter season, I feel an internal shift filled with uncertainty, a certain dread about the future, hope, and a longing for change. I have the underpinnings of a clear need to find a healthy and positive way forward when I'm often feeling surrounded by heavy and distressing events happening around the world. Journaling is my north star. It brings to the surface worries, dreams, memories, and beliefs I may not have been consciously aware of during my day-to-day life. And...winter journaling is really about taking stock of where I am and how I want to evolve and progress as a person in the new year. While many of these journal prompts would work throughout the year, they are meant as a guide to reflect on the year we're leaving behind, set the groundwork for manifesting goals, and clear the path for choosing joy and contentment. I hope you find them helpful.
What did I discover about myself this year?
What feels more important than ever?
What beliefs did I change?
What did I struggle with in the last year?
What have I achieved/am proud of?
What do I want to let go of in the coming year?
Who or what has energized me, and how has that felt?
What do I want to remember about myself over the last year?
Who or what has felt tiring or draining?
What am I choosing to leave behind in the coming year?
What new habits would I like to form?
In 2025, I would like...
Make a list of everything you want to learn, explore and experience in the new year.
What are the nurturing things I can do for myself this winter?
What boundaries do I want to set and why?
What am I ready to begin?
What is good in my life right now?
What feels unimportant?
What makes me feel safe?
Make a list of everything you want to remember from the year.
Where did fear hold me back in 2024?
What feels daunting about the coming year?
What brought me the most joy this year?
This year, I wish I had more time for...
How does the darkness of the winter seaon make me feel?
What have I achieved/am proud of?
How can I be a better citizen of the world?
I wish I had...
Make a list of everything that brings you joy.
What do I need in order to feel relaxed?
May the winter season brings you a sense of calm, renewed faith in humanity, a period of rest and reflection and above all else, self-love and acceptance. Go be amazing!