Ahhh winter - the season of fuzzy socks, steaming mugs, and... a thousand layers of lake effect snow. At least that’s how I remember it growing up in northwestern Pennsylvania. (If I never hear that phrase again, I’ll be just fine!)
Now that I live in Florida, winter finally means something magical: it’s cool enough to go outside without melting! So whether you're buried under snowdrifts or just cozying up in 65-degree sunshine, winter is the perfect season to slow down, reflect, and let your creativity spill out onto the page.
This Winter Junk Journal Challenge is all about gentle inspiration. Think cozy, not chaotic. No pressure to make Pinterest-perfect pages - just fun, meaningful, soul-nourishing prompts you can use in your own quirky, beautiful way.
Don't forget to scroll down to get your free printable!
Why Junk Journal Prompts Are So Helpful
Here’s the thing: staring at a blank page can be a creativity killer. Prompts take that pressure off. They give you a starting point - a spark that turns into a flicker, then a full-on bonfire of inspiration (preferably with marshmallows).
Prompts also:
- Encourage reflection without requiring perfection
- Help you use what you have on hand (scraps, stickers, bits of life)
- Keep you connected to the seasons, your memories, and your why
- Make journaling feel more like play than homework
They're perfect for breaking a creative rut or simply showing up for yourself one cozy page at a time.
How To Use These Prompts the Sloth Girl Way
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I am NOT about rigid routines or strict rules. So don’t treat this like a daily homework assignment. Pick a prompt that feels fun. Skip the ones that don’t. Do three in one afternoon, then none for a week. This is your journal, your season, your pace.
Some of my favorite ways to use prompts:
- Jot quick reflections in messy handwriting - no editing!
- Add a photo or doodle next to a response
- Tear up wrapping paper scraps or tissue to collage over your thoughts
- Smudge some essential oil (hello peppermint) onto the page for a sensory vibe
- Turn a single prompt into a whole themed spread with washi, ephemera, and a glued-in grocery list (because real life is art too!)
Ready to dive in? Grab your favorite pen, that weird sparkly sticker from 1997, and let’s do this!
Winter Junk Journal Prompts
Winter Memories & Reflections
- Describe your childhood winters in 5 words.
- What does "lake effect snow" make you feel?
- Your most magical snow day memory.
- A time winter made you feel strong.
- What winter smells bring you comfort?
- What did your house smell like in winter growing up?
- The best winter meal you remember eating.
- Reflect on a favorite holiday season moment.
- Write a letter to winter like it’s an old friend.
- “I used to hate winter, but now…”
Cozy Home Life Prompts
- Draw or describe your dream cozy nook.
- What makes your home feel warm and safe?
- A corner of your house that holds winter memories.
- Your winter morning routine, step by step.
- “If I were a cup of tea, I’d be…”
- What are your go-to comfort foods in winter?
- Make a list of 5 cozy rituals.
- Create a playlist of your favorite winter tunes.
- Describe a quiet winter moment that brought you peace.
- Journal your favorite way to spend a rainy/cold day.
Seasonal Nature & Outdoors Prompts
- A winter walk - what did you see, smell, hear?
- Sketch bare tree branches or dried leaves.
- Compare the sky in winter to other seasons.
- How does the light change in winter?
- Collect bits from outside (leaves, feathers, pebbles) and tape them in.
- Make a color palette from a winter sunset.
- Describe what winter feels like on your skin.
- A day you felt connected to nature, even in the cold.
- Journal the wildlife you notice this time of year.
- “The earth rests, and so do I...” - respond to this phrase.
6. Creative & Artistic Winter Explorations
- Use scraps to make a winter-themed collage.
- Draw (or describe) your ideal winter outfit.
- Make a blackout poem using a grocery receipt or old page.
- Doodle a snowflake. Then another. Then 10.
- Glue in an old holiday card and journal over it.
- Find a magazine image that feels like “winter” and journal around it.
- Journal with only cool colors (blue, silver, gray, white).
- Use lyrics from a wintery song as a journal prompt.
- Start a page with, “What if winter was a woman?”
- Design a label for a fake candle scent inspired by your winter.
7. Self-Care & Emotional Wellness in Winter
- How does your energy change in winter?
- What does your body need more of right now?
- Write yourself a love note for surviving the holidays.
- Journal one thing you can let go of this season.
- What does “cozy” mean to you emotionally?
- A winter ritual that grounds you.
- Create a page full of positive winter mantras.
- “I feel safe when…”
- List 5 tiny acts of self-kindness.
- What do you want to carry into spring from this season?
Whether you’re knee-deep in snow or just grateful to be able to walk outside again without breaking a sweat (hi Florida!), these prompts are here to bring creativity and comfort to your winter days. Choose the ones that speak to you, skip the rest, and most of all - have fun with it!
Click here to get the free printable Winter Junk Journal Prompts!
Here are some more great articles that you might love!
- 25 Summer Art Journal Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
- Journaling Prompts For Thanksgiving
- Journaling Prompts For Christmas
