February Feelings: Journal Prompts from One Eldest Daughter to Another
Boundaries are SO HARD. Let these journal prompts help you figure out how you can draw lines. Also: amazing follows here on Substack.
It is a weird time to be alive. Of course, we don't know any other times to be alive, other than what we’ve personally lived. But still: that's what people say: what a weird time to be alive. It just is.
And we, as eldest sisters/daughters/siblings, know a thing or two about big feelings and stuffing those big feelings down for the sake of keeping the peace. I've long found deep comfort in using words to rip open my big feelings as a pathway to feeling them. (My therapist would likely side-eye my over-declaration 'cuz she and I both know how I feel about feeling feelings — but I try!) (That’s a bold lie. I don’t.)
But we must at least (pretend to) try. *sigh* And so: perhaps you may find comfort in these visiting any of these journal prompts to help you work through some big February feelings of your own.
Pick your challenge below in bold, and try out a writing prompt!
Take Care of #1 (That’s you.)
My favorite positive change I've made for myself over the last year is:
I've been feeling overwhelmed. Here's what I've tried that's worked. Here's what I've tried that was less helpful for me. Here's what I'll try next.
Dear future me....
Drawing Your Own Boundaries
I feel most mentally at peace when:
I can make these peaceful moments happen more by:
This is how I know I'm reaching my limit:
The last time I gave myself compassion was:
It's So Friggin' Cold
Spring feels so far away. What I can do to feel more connected to warm weather:
My "perfect winter day" is:
This winter I am grateful for:
No Matter What, Write About This One:
I am looking forward to this:
I only propose one rule, and I only say it because I am a millennial eldest sister and sarcasm is my safe space, but the sarcasm tends to not help me learn anything, and I think that’s the ultimate goal I/we all need — we need to learn something. And so, as you journal about yourself:
Let Me Be Your Big Sister For a Sec:
What I'm Reading Here on Substack:
of Good Little Garbage Girl: I made it my goal awhile ago to stop with the consumerism, but in a world of Prime and no time (I need to copyright that), it was all too easy. Whatever. I want to go to small stores and attempt to make eye contact with people in real life and stop making purchases because they’re cheap and easy. , by Amanda Matta: I’m a TikTok follower that was delighted to find Amanda and her in-depth royal reporting over here on Substack. I don’t even remember what royal event put her on my algorithm, but I’m grateful for it. , of Drinks with Broads. I’m a long, long, long time reader (think “read TWoP—augh pour one out for TWoP—in my college basement in a computer lab in 2003”) and love them still today. Whether its on their seminal blog Go Fug Yourself or here on their Substack Drinks with Broads, I am here. There. Whatever. You know what I mean. , by Jess Pan. I stumbled onto this Substack just this week via her latest Sorry I’m Late - my friend has a hot husband, which I read immediately, because I DO have a friend with a hot husband. In my friend’s case, Hot Husband is a high school teacher, and let me tell you—the reactions we got at an Ed Sheeran concert one time defied all laws of open salivating. Like I said: it’s a weird time to be alive.Upcoming Events:
Huron Public Library Book and Author Fair: February 15, 2025 - this is next Saturday!!
Wild Deadwood Reads: June 14, 2025. Come see me at The Lodge at Deadwood!
I didn't know Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan have a Substack! Though I should have figured. I loved THE ROYAL WE and THE HEIR AFFAIR; their writing and humor is fantastic. I can't wait to explore their Substack. Thanks for the rec!