8 Journaling Prompts to Get You Through the Holidays

Who else could use a spa day? Or at least a long nap!

Honestly, there is no time of the year more exciting, wonderful, and also stressful than the holiday season! I’ve personally been feeling the stress building over the past few weeks. And for me, that’s a sign that I need to do some reflecting and self care. As you probably know by now, one of my favorite ways to take care of my mental health is journaling! I figured some of you are probably feeling the holiday tension too, so I came up with a few journaling prompts to get us all through this holiday season with our sanity in tact - and hopefully with a little peace and joy to boot!

As always, I’ll be sharing these on my social media stories (Facebook and Instagram) as well, so feel free to follow along with me there or to print out the full list from this page and go at your own pace.

Day 1

(December 24)

Are you feeling any tension or anxiety right now? List two or three things that might be causing those feelings, but instead of writing “I am nervous about ____”, try reframing it as “I am feeling excited for ____.” 

For example, instead of writing “I’m feeling nervous that I didn’t get enough gifts for everyone,” try saying “I am feeling excited to give my thoughtful gifts to my loved ones.”

Day 2

(December 25)

Can you set an intention to focus on gratitude today? What other intentions do you want to set for today - peace, wonder, love? Write it out.

Day 3

(December 26)

It’s common to feel a little sad, uncertain, or antsy after a big holiday. There is so much preparation, excitement, and anticipation leading up to the big day, and once it’s all over, it can feel like it went by too fast! Take a moment to reflect on these quotes about impermanence, and then journal for a bit on what it might look like to appreciate things in the moment and to hold those moments loosely.

“Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting.” ― Richard Paul Evans, The Gift 

“Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.” ― W. Somerset Maugham

Day 4

(December 27)

What is something you can do (whether big or small) to give back to your community or a cause you want to support before the year is over?

Day 5

(December 28)

Is there anything that you haven’t done in 2020 that you don’t want to end the year without at least trying - a project you want to finish? someone you need to reconcile with? What steps can you take to make that happen in the next few days?

Day 6

(December 29)

Forget about the to-do list for just a moment. What’s something you can do just for fun today? It could be holiday related, something adventurous, or a self-care activity.

Day 7

(December 30)

What did your life look like this time last year? Where were you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually? How have things changed, and why?

Day 8

(December 31)

Write a thank you letter to 2020. Include everything you’re grateful for that happened this year, anything you learned, the great moments you experienced, and the challenges you faced that helped you grow.