Health + Wellness

Journaling Your Way Past 2020

If ever there was a year to leave behind, it’s 2020. Of course, though, as we all look forward to turning the page on a long, chaotic and difficult year, there are likely many lessons that we have only just begun to learn from this challenging time. How can we move forward, while also allowing ourselves to internalize and reflect on what 2020 taught us? Journaling is a great way to start.

December 2020

The line that connects the past, present and future can be tough to draw or make sense of – but this year, perhaps more than any other – provides us an opportunity to look more deeply at where we were and where we are now. Whether it’s to remember how you’re feeling at this moment in time, to understand something new about yourself, or to give yourself a creative outlet (read Amy’s post about her favorite reasons to journal), journaling is a particularly relevant practice to commit to in 2021.

Here are 10 prompts and a few tips to help you make the most of reflecting on a hard year and carrying those lessons forward:

What sorts of loss did I experience this year?

What expectations of myself did I let go? How did that feel?

How did I make myself feel good this year?

Who was I able to help this year? Who will I try to help in 2021?

Who are the positive people in my life? How can I spend more time with them in 2021?

What are three words I can use as a mantra to guide me in 2021?

What is my best memory of 2020?

What could I have not gotten through this year without? How can I better prioritize that in my life?

What I miss most about “normal life” is….

10.

I need more _____ in my life…

Tip for Using Journal Prompts:

Schedule a time for yourself to journal each day – even if for just five minutes. To take this a step further, you could even give yourself a weekly journaling plan. Select the days and times you’ll write and plan a prompt you will answer. Though this seems rigid, discipline can often lead to great creativity and introspection.

Determine your reason for journaling. What do you hope to gain? Remembering this can help you prioritize your practice when you’re not in the mood to journal.

Create a Pinterest board for prompts you find inspiring. Add them to your weekly journaling plans.

Store things inside your journals for inspiration – photos, written notes, cards, receipts – anything that might spark an emotion to draw from.

Try to be the “observer” of your thoughts – not judging them. Write freely, without too much self-editing or internal judgment. Putting down your pen or pencil and taking a few deep breaths can help when you find yourself doing this.

We’d love to hear any journal prompts you’re using as you look towards the new year. Tag us @printfresh on social media, and we may even compile some of the best and share them with our followers!