Is it spring yet? “Punxsutawney Phil” didn’t see his shadow this Groundhog Day, predicting an early spring for 2013, but most of us are still waiting for the sunshine as we trudge through a long winter of blizzards, rainstorms and seemingly endless dreary gray days.
If you find that you feel lethargic, moody and depressed because of the “winter blues,” try journal writing more frequently to improve your energy, mood and focus. Here are five short writing prompts to get you started.
Five Days of Journal Writing Therapy Exercises
Day 1
Look out the window and describe in your journal what you see. Start with the weather and temperature, then record anything else that catches your attention – colors, movement, people, etc. What do you feel when you think about going about your routine today? What obstacles make it difficult to get motivated or excited about your plans? What factors help you keep going?
Day 2
Describe your mood today in one word. Why did you choose this particular word? How does it illustrate what you are feeling? If you could flip a switch and change your mood to a different word, what would it be? Why?
Day 3
Imagine that you had the chance to indulge in your ideal winter day. How would you spend it? Would you snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a stack of books or movies, or would you head to the mountains to find some fresh snow for skiing? Create your perfect winter wonderland through your journal writing.
Day 4
Reflect on what you are grateful for today, no matter how small or insignificant each thought seems. Express your thankfulness for the morning meeting that got canceled, the new book that arrived at the library or the hugs that welcomed you home after a long day.
Day 5
Close your eyes and imagine that overnight, the seasons changed and spring is now in full bloom. What can you see, smell, hear and feel? What is the first thing you want to do to celebrate the new season? How do you feel physically and emotionally? Write your thoughts in your journal in vivid detail.
What's your favorite journal writing remedy for those yucky winter blues?
Need some help getting back into Journaling to deal with those wicked winter blues? We have all kinds of Free ebooks and sample chapters that'll give you plenty of ideas in Mari's Life Changers Journal Writing Library: