31 December Journal Prompts to Help You Slow Down & Reflect

December has a way of making us want to slow down a little. The year is winding to a close, the days feel quieter, and it’s the perfect time to curl up somewhere cozy with your journal and spend a few minutes checking in with yourself.

Before you start thinking about resolutions, goals, or everything you want to change in the new year, give yourself space to simply reflect on where you’ve been.

These December journal prompts are meant to help you look back on the past year, notice the little things you’re grateful for, reconnect with yourself, and gently think about what you’d like to carry with you into the year ahead.

31 December Journal Prompts

01. What do I want December to feel like this year?

Instead of starting with everything you want to accomplish this month, think about how you want to feel. Maybe you want December to feel peaceful, cozy, joyful, connected, or simply less rushed. What could you do to create more of that feeling in your everyday life?

02. What is something I’m ready to let go of before the year ends?

Think about something you’ve been carrying that you don’t necessarily want to bring into another year. It could be a grudge, an unrealistic expectation, a habit, guilt over something you can’t change, or even pressure you’ve placed on yourself.

03. What are three little things making life better right now?

Look beyond the big blessings and notice the tiny ones. Maybe it’s your morning coffee, a favorite blanket, a pet curled up beside you, Christmas lights glowing at night, or a song you can’t stop playing. Write about why these simple things matter to you.

04. What am I most proud of myself for this year?

Give yourself some credit for what you’ve made it through, accomplished, learned, or changed. Your answer doesn’t have to be something impressive on paper. Sometimes simply continuing to show up during a difficult season is worth celebrating.

05. What is my favorite December memory?

Think back to Decembers from your childhood or years past. Where were you? Who was there? What sounds, smells, traditions, foods, or little details do you remember most clearly?

06. Where in my life could I use more rest?

Consider where you’ve been pushing yourself a little too hard lately. Rest doesn’t always mean sleeping. You might need a break from social media, obligations, constant productivity, difficult conversations, or always feeling like you need to be doing something.

07. What did this year teach me about myself?

Think about the person you were when the year began compared to who you are today. What have you discovered about your needs, boundaries, strengths, dreams, relationships, or priorities?

08. What does a cozy December day look like to me?

Describe your ideal slow December day from morning until bedtime. Think about what you’d eat, what you’d wear, where you’d go, what you’d do, and who you’d spend time with. Sometimes imagining your perfect day can reveal the simple things you need more of.

09. What am I grateful for today that I might normally overlook?

Choose something ordinary that makes your life a little easier, sweeter, or more comfortable. It could be hot running water, a warm home, a reliable car, your favorite mug, or someone who always answers when you call.

10. What was one unexpectedly good thing that happened this year?

Not everything wonderful is something we planned. Think about a surprise friendship, an opportunity, a change of plans, a new interest, a funny memory, or a small moment that ended up meaning much more than you expected.

11. What do I need less of in my life right now?

Maybe you need less rushing, scrolling, comparing, overcommitting, worrying, clutter, or saying yes when you really want to say no. Think about what has been taking more from you than it gives back.

12. What do I want more of in my life?

Now turn the previous question around. What would you happily make more room for? Maybe it’s creativity, quiet mornings, friendships, movement, reading, family dinners, time outside, prayer, laughter, or simply doing things because you enjoy them.

13. What is one holiday tradition I truly love?

Write about a tradition that genuinely makes the season special to you. Why do you love it? Think about whether there’s a way you could make it even more meaningful this year.

14. Which holiday traditions or expectations could I happily skip?

Not every tradition has to be kept simply because you’ve always done it. Think about the things you do out of obligation rather than enjoyment. What would happen if you gave yourself permission to simplify?

15. When did I feel happiest this year?

Go back through the year and think about moments when you felt genuinely happy or content. What were you doing? Who were you with? Look for patterns that might tell you something about what brings you joy.

16. What was one difficult moment this year that changed me?

You don’t have to find a silver lining in everything that hurt. Simply consider what the experience taught you, how you handled it, and whether it changed the way you see yourself or your life.

17. What is something I wish I had worried less about this year?

Think about the worries that consumed your thoughts but ultimately worked themselves out, never happened, or mattered much less than you expected. What might that teach you about the worries you’re carrying today?

18. What does taking care of myself look like this month?

Forget the picture-perfect version of self-care. What do you actually need right now? Maybe it’s earlier bedtimes, easier meals, more boundaries, quiet afternoons, asking for help, or leaving some empty space on your calendar.

19. Who made a difference in my life this year?

Think about someone who encouraged you, helped you, made you laugh, listened when you needed them, or simply made your days brighter. Write about what they brought into your life and what you appreciate about them.

20. What is one thing I want to do just for fun this December?

Not everything needs to be productive or meaningful. Choose something simply because it sounds enjoyable. Bake cookies, watch an old Christmas movie, make something with your hands, drive around looking at lights, or spend an afternoon reading.

21. What am I currently putting too much pressure on myself about?

Pay attention to the expectations you’ve been carrying lately. Are they truly necessary, or are you holding yourself to a standard that you would never expect from someone you love?

22. What are five moments from this year that I never want to forget?

They don’t have to be major milestones. Write down five moments you’d love to tuck away and remember years from now. Include all the tiny details that could otherwise fade with time.

23. How have my priorities changed this year?

What felt incredibly important to you in January? Does it still feel that way now? Consider what moved higher or lower on your priority list and what caused that shift.

24. What is something I did this year that scared me?

Think about a time you stepped outside your comfort zone, even if it seemed small to everyone else. What gave you the courage to do it? How did you feel afterward?

25. What would make the rest of December feel meaningful?

With the year almost over, you don’t need to cram in another list of accomplishments. Think instead about what would make these final days feel good to you. Maybe you want to spend more time with family, be present, rest, create something, or enjoy your home.

26. What do I want to forgive myself for?

We can be incredibly good at replaying our own mistakes. Write about something you’ve been holding against yourself and imagine speaking to yourself with the same compassion you would offer someone you love.

27. What version of myself am I leaving behind?

Maybe you’ve outgrown an old mindset, habit, identity, expectation, or way of living. Write about the parts of yourself that no longer fit and why you’re ready to move forward without them.

28. What parts of myself do I want to carry into the new year?

You don’t need to reinvent yourself when January arrives. There are already wonderful parts of your life and yourself worth keeping. Think about the habits, relationships, routines, values, and qualities you want to continue nurturing.

29. What am I hopeful about right now?

Give yourself permission to look ahead with a little optimism. What possibility makes you excited when you think about the months ahead? It can be something big or something wonderfully ordinary.

30. What would I tell the version of me who started this year?

Imagine sitting down for coffee with yourself from January. What would you tell that version of you about everything that happened? What would you reassure them about, congratulate them for, or tell them not to worry so much about?

31. If I could choose one intention for the year ahead, what would it be?

Instead of making a long list of resolutions, choose one word, feeling, or intention you’d like to guide you into the new year. Maybe it’s peace, courage, consistency, creativity, simplicity, connection, or joy. Write about what that intention would look like in your real, everyday life.

Farewell to the year and welcome to the New Year!

December can get busy quickly, but your journal can be a little place to slow down in the middle of it all. You don’t have to have profound answers or write pages and pages every day. Just give yourself a few quiet minutes, choose a prompt, and see where your thoughts take you.

As you work through these December journal prompts, I hope you’re able to appreciate how far you’ve come, make peace with some of what you’re leaving behind, and head into the new year feeling a little lighter and more connected to yourself.

And if one of these prompts really made you stop and think, I’d love to hear which one in the comments!

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