31 Inspiring December Journal Prompts (+Ideas)
December is a great time to journal with its longer evenings and chilly weather that make cozy nights at home all the more inviting.
It’s the perfect time to slow down and reflect on the past year while planning ahead for the new one.
A journal is also a great tool to slow down and appreciate some seasonal pleasures amid the holiday rush.
I’ve been journaling for over 30 years and wintertime is my favorite season for chunky blankets, hot mugs of black tea and journaling before bed.
But it’s not always easy to get writing – especially if you’re busy or don’t really know what to write about.
So here’s is my ultimate guide to wintertime journaling based on all my years of writing experience – and everything that has and hasn’t worked.
This guide includes 31 daily journaling prompts (one for each day of December) to kickstart your writing session. It also includes some journaling ideas to celebrate a simple and joyful holiday season.
A daily journaling practice:
- boosts your creativity and inspiration
- helps you manage stress and anxiety
- combats depression
- boosts your sleep quality and lowers your blood pressure
Here are 31 journal prompts for December:
December 1: Flip through the past month of your planner or just sit back and reflect back on the past month. What were your 3 biggest accomplishments that you’re most proud of? What did they teach you about yourself?
December 2: Flip through the past month of your planner or just sit back and reflect back on the past month. What were the 3 biggest challenges you faced and what did you learn from them?
December 3: Think about the new month ahead and everything that December will bring. What are your 3 biggest hopes and goals for this month?
December 4: Think about the new month ahead and everything that December will bring. What are your 3 biggest worries and fears? How can you face them courageously?
December 5: What are some habits and self-care routines you can implement this month to avoid feeling overwhelmed? What can you do to keep yourself grounded?
December 6: How can you protect your well-being during the busy holiday season? How can you enjoy the wintertime in a less stressful way?
December 7: How can you better nurture your family and your relationships this month? How can you better handle any possible conflicts?
December 8: What part of your life do you need to focus on and improve? What aspect of your life have you been neglecting?
December 9: What daily habit would you like to return to? What daily routine would you like to nurture and focus on?
December 10: How can you celebrate the holidays in a simpler and more meaningful way? How can you celebrate wintertime in a more authentic way that feels true to you?
December 11: What are your favorite seasonal and holiday traditions? How can you bring more of them into your holidays this year?
December 12: What is your favorite holiday or wintertime memory from childhood? What are your favorite holiday or wintertime dishes and treats?
December 13: What do you struggle with most during the holidays? What do you struggle with during the darker and colder months, and how can you better face your challenges?
December 14: How can you give back to the less fortunate this season? How can you be a helpful and supportive force in someone’s life?
December 15: What is your biggest struggle during the holiday and winter season? How can you better navigate through that struggle?
December 16: What are 3 simple practices you can implement this month when you’re dealing with business and overwhelm?
December 17: How can you take more time for self-care and journaling this month?
December 18: What are some things you’re most grateful for this month?
December 19: What small things are you grateful for that are easy to overlook?
December 20: How can you foster more gratitude in your everyday life?
December 21: What are some of the best gifts you’ve ever received? What made them so meaningful?
December 22: What loss and grief are you facing this holiday or wintertime season? How can you honor your loved ones who are no longer here?
December 23: List 3 of your favorite moments of this month so far.
December 24: What are your favorite ways to recharge and rest during the holiday or wintertime season?
December 25: How have you changed as a person over the past year? How have you grown and how are you different than you were a year ago?
December 26: Write a bucket list of everything you’d like to do and experience next year. Create a vision board that represents all of your hopes and goals.
December 27: Take a walk in nature and document the sights, smells and sounds of your landscape this winter.
December 28: Flip through the past year of your planner or just sit back and reflect back on the past year. What were your 3 biggest accomplishments that you’re most proud of? What did they teach you about yourself?
December 29: Flip through the past year of your planner or just sit back and reflect back on the past year. What were the 3 biggest challenges you faced and what did you learn from them?
December 30: Think about the new year ahead and everything that next year will bring. What are your 3 biggest hopes and goals for the year?
December 31: Think about the new year ahead and everything that next year will bring. What are your 3 biggest worries and fears? How can you face them courageously?
December journal ideas
Try these journaling ideas in December to keep your writing habit fresh and inspired:
- The next time you’re watching TV or listening to music, pick up your diary and make some flower doodles in the margins. Doodling is a simple and easy pastime. But it actually has many great benefits to your mental health. Doodling engages and calms your mind. And it lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts creativity.
- Use you diary to track your daily workouts, walks, meditation sessions and any other fitness goals you’re working towards. Set some monthly goals that are achievable. Then draw out a monthly calendar in your diary with boxes to tick off each time you complete the activity for that day.
- Write about gratitude in your diary as a powerful journaling technique that reduces stress, boosts happiness and improves your sleep. It’s recommended if you’re feeling depressed, unmotivated, overwhelmed or anxious.
Read next:
One Line A Day Journaling: Tips, Prompts And How To Start
51 Inspiring Quotes About Journaling (To Get You Writing!)
Nature Journaling: An Essential Guide (+8 Tips To Start)
Reclaim your life from the digital noise.
Join my one-day Analog Workshop to get practical resources and interactive sessions to help you close the screen, defeat distraction and design an intentional life.
