Body Gratitude During the Holiday Season
The holidays can feel complicated. Routines shift, food changes, and being around family can bring up old patterns or insecurities, especially about our bodies or where we are in life. Many people notice more self-criticism during this time. This prompt is meant to help you reconnect with what your body gives you, not what it looks like. The goal is to settle into gratitude, even when the environment around you feels challenging.
Art Prompt: Reflect on one thing your body has given you that you feel grateful for, even if you overlook it most days. This could be strength, comfort, endurance, the ability to move through a difficult experience, or the way your body has supported you during a meaningful moment in your life. Notice what comes up and let yourself create from that place.
Materials: Watercolor, water soluble oil pastels, watercolor paper, watercolor paint brushes
My Art Response
For this prompt, I found myself first creating an enclosed shape, almost like a protected space in the center of my page. I didn’t plan it, but it felt natural to build something that held a sense of safety and care. As I worked with the oil pastels, then softened the edges with water and watercolor, the process became incredibly grounding. The way the pigments melted into each other felt similar to how this past year has asked me to soften, adjust, and make room for what my body was moving through.
I layered deeper tones in the center, reflecting a period that carried both challenge and quiet strength, while still choosing warm colors to honor the gratitude I have for what my body allowed me to experience. There were moments this year that felt heavy, unfamiliar, and demanding in ways I could not fully name. But creating this piece reminded me of the incredible things a body can hold and the ways it continues forward, even when we underestimate it.
When I stepped back from the artwork, I noticed it almost resembled an onion. Those layers made sense to me, each one holding its own story. The tougher outer areas, the softer inner ones, and the protected core that felt meaningful without needing an explanation. It reminded me that our bodies often carry far more than what is visible, and that peeling back those layers can reveal both vulnerability and appreciation.
This artwork helped me connect with gratitude again, especially during a season when it’s easy to be critical or distracted by the pressures that come with the holidays. Seeing the layers, the softened lines, and that enclosed space brought me back to how much my body has shown up for me, quietly and consistently, even when I have not always given it enough credit.
Journal Prompts
What part of your body supported you in a way you rarely acknowledge?
What helps you stay grounded in your body during stressful family gatherings?
When you think about gratitude, what part of your life or body do you tend to overlook?
How do holiday routines and expectations affect the way you see yourself?
What is one thing your body allowed you to experience this year that you want to acknowledge?
What helps you shift from judgment to appreciation when insecurities come up?
Tips for Staying Grounded During the Holiday’s
Plan small moments of pause throughout your day, even if it is one minute alone.
Shift conversations that feel uncomfortable or overly focused on your body or life choices.
Remember that food changes and routine changes do not define your worth.
Choose clothing that feels comfortable and supportive instead of focusing on appearance.
Keep one grounding practice nearby, such as deep breathing, stepping outside for air, or placing your hand over your heart.
Remind yourself that you do not owe anyone explanations about your body or your life.
Come back to gratitude when you feel overwhelmed, not to deny stress, but to create space around it.
Disclaimer: The prompts and reflections shared here are intended for personal exploration and creative expression. They are not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health support. For the best use, explore these directives alongside your therapeutic work. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Tips for artmaking can be found on the main page of this blog.
