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The long winter days can be brutal… I’m not talking about the weather… but the WINTER BLUES. It’s so easy to lose yourself when you are not getting as much exercise, sunlight or face time with friends and family! The darkness of the days can really effect many of us in negative ways. While this is not an actual depression, it is REAL and it does hinder many things~ including our self esteem.
There are many things that you can do during the winter months to keep yourself on track!~ Yes, physical activity (going to the gym or a nice brisk walk in the chill) is a great way to get your blood pumping~ But if you are unable to do those things, try some unconvential exercises ~ Consider Reflective Journaling.
Reflective Journaling will stimulate your imagination, increase your awareness and boost your critical thinking skills. Journal writing or “thinking on paper” is the best free gift you can give yourself. Journal writing is an important self esteem activity that will help you understand your thoughts and values. By putting your ideas on paper you can consciously avoid the negative thinking that prevents you from achieving even the smallest goals. The practice of writing is the doorway to a clearer mind, focused decision making and greater self esteem. This powerful self esteem activity works because you are stopping for a special period of time to focus entirely on yourself, stopping the focus of the dark winter day…
You don’t have to have a fancy journal, but if you find one that “speaks” to you, that’s the one! Writing in your own handwriting is really the best, but if that is hard for you, or you are more apt to journal online, you can use www.PENZU.com which is a FREE Online Diary that you can use every day! You can also print off your pages to keep in a safe place 
Here are some prompts for journaling on those BLUE Winter Days!
~What things do you think are beautiful? Why?
~What is your idea of perfect happiness?
~What is your most BELOVED childhood memory? How did that memory change you as an adult?
~What is something you are optimistic about?
~What is your interpretation of one of your recent dreams?
~What is your greatest extravagance?
Keep your journal in a place where you feel comforted and calm. When you start to feel the BLUES seep in, pull it out, and write them away~ Thank you to Self Esteem Health for these ideas
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Melissa,
I love the positive journaling prompts you provide to help combat the winter blues. Getting a fresh, happy perspective on your day, either at the start or wrapping it up, can help keep our mindsets on the lighter side. It amazes me how just answering a simple question and pondering the answer as you write can make such a difference. Journaling can truly help lift your mood!
I have chosen your post, Journal Away the Winter Blues~Reflect on Yourself, for the #JournalChat Pick of the Day on 1/3/12 for all things journaling on Twitter.
I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, my blog and website Refresh with Dawn Herring, and in Refresh Journal, my weekly e-journal: http://www.refreshwithdawnherring.blogspot.com/.
You’re welcome to join us Thursdays at 5 EST/2 PST for #JournalChat Live for all things journaling on Twitter; this week’s topic is The Voice of Journaling: Yours!
Thanks again for such a fabulous approach to lifting our mood with journaling.
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter
Thank you so much, Dawn! I look forward to joining you and I’m hoping that many can take the first step of trying to journal! It’s amazing how it can really lead you to self discovery!!! ~ Melissa
Melissa,
I am absolutely delighted to inform you that your post, Journal Away the Winter Blues~Reflect on Yourself, as the #JournalChat Pick of the Week! The essentially means your post will be our journaling resource for #JournalChat Live on Thursday, 1/12/12, at 5 EST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter! Our topic will be Journaling for a Positive Perspective.
I will highlight your post as Pick of the Day and also in the box for Pick of the Week in Refresh Journal so others can read your post to prepare for discussion on the live chat.
You’re welcome to join us for #JournalChat Live on 1/12/12 at 5 EST/2 PST on Twitter if you are able. If you plan to attend, please let me know so I can properly introduce you and let folks know you’ll be attending when I promote the live chat next week.
Thanks again for this fab post on boosting our mood and enhancing our self esteem through journaling.
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter
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