With spring starting to knock on our doors, we can take this new season to reflect on ourselves and our new and old habits. Journaling is a great way to personally and honestly get your thoughts and intentions recognized.
- what am i grateful for?
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Gratitude is an exceptionally significant concept to acknowledge. If you have consistently been told to “be grateful for what you have,” it’s for good reason.
My favorite time to complete this prompt is each morning when I wake up. Instead of reaching for your phone, reach for your journal and write down three things you are grateful for.
- what are the five most important aspects of my life?
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Career? Education? Romantic love? Friendship?
Be creative and personal in your answers. This can allow you a more clear grasp on what you may want to direct your attention to in the future.
- what am i personally doing to help these aspects flourish?
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In the same sense, are there ones you have hardly touched? If friendship is considered a top five most important concept in your life, it doesn’t deserve to be neglected. Call an old friend!
- make a venn diagram of the “main characters” in your life. who is in like, who is in dislike, and who is in the middle?
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This is kind of like making that infamous pros and cons list of the partner you are unsure about. Similar to the previous prompt, this prompt allows you a visual of where your attention presently is and where it should be directed.
- Make a pros and cons list of those in the middle.
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Try to decide if they are still good for you.
Many times, it can be good to have those “in-between” relationships. However, there may be deeper issues as to why you cannot decide on the person. For example: do you truthfully like them or are you just scared to let them go?
- what is a new hobby i can try this spring?
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Trying new things can be a great way to discover not just a new pass-time, but also yourself along the way. I had no idea I would enjoy doing collage artwork, but upon trying it I had to ask myself, what took so long?
- how does the warmer weather make me feel?
how can i take advantage of it? -
Seasonal depression, especially in State College, can be a huge downfall for many students motivation. The sunshine and rising temperatures may serve as a great relief to you.
Reflect on how you have felt in the previous couple months compared to now.
- what do i dislike about myself?
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This can be a very difficult question to ask, let alone write the answer to.
However, there is something that everyone dislikes within themselves. Do not look at your physical image, instead, try to think about some practices you may want to improve on: empathy, compassion, patience, etc.
- what do i love about myself?
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Allike to the prior entry, everyone likes something within themselves. Give yourself a pat on the back and recognize, acknowledge and reflect on just how much good you have inside of you.
- when is the last time you practiced kindness?
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Don’t overthink it.
Maybe you helped a friend through a breakup or maybe you held the door for a stranger. Kindness keeps the world moving, and it is truly so simple and rewarding to incorporate it into our daily lives. Reflecting on your frequency with kindness can give you insight into what you may be missing.
- am i happy with who i am in this moment?
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You can decide to take this is a bigger or smaller concept picture. Maybe you want to reflect on yourself in your core. Are you morally who you want to be, and is there things you are proud of or want to work on?
In a smaller picture, maybe you are happy with yourself as a student or as a friend. What can you do for spaces you are unhappy in?
What would make you happier?
- list three things you are proud of yourself for.
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With many journal prompts, it can make the writer feel like there is a lot more to work on themselves than they thought. It is just as important to acknowledge things you have been been doing that you are proud of.
List three (or more) things that you are proud of yourself for.
- what are five ways i can take better care of myself this spring?
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Self-care is an essential component to a reset. Once you begin to pay attention to the health of your mind and body, you will see how the two intertwine.
Activities like yoga and running are my favorite ways to care for my body and mind at the same time.
- what are three things i learned in winter that i want to take with me?
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Whether it is a skill, a language or a philosopher level realization of the world, education moves with you. If you found anything at all that made your winter the slightest bit smoother, you should bring it with you into spring. Then, what you find in spring, you can bring with you to summer!
Spoiler: the cycle continues.
- write a letter to your future-summer-self.
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I think writing letters to your future self is such a personal, unique, and insightful experience. There are websites where you can write the letter and they will email you it on your desired date.
This is the perfect ending to your reflections, as you can then reflect on if they were helpful to you once summer comes around.
Take a few minutes out of your days off in the coming week to do some spring cleaning on this winter’s emotions. Getting your thoughts onto paper is more powerful than you can imagine.