My journal has become my best friend, my therapist, and my coach. I write to myself, to my parents, to my past/younger self, and even to God/Mother Earth/the Universe/Source (whatever you want to call your higher power). I write down all the things I am thinking but never saying. I admit to myself what I already know to be true.
It’s been my guide through heartache, healing, life transitions, and finding myself. By putting these deep thoughts, desires and fears down on paper, I acknowledge their presence—and I am one step closer to releasing them, along with each of my failed attempts at control. Most important, I have used the practice of journaling to receive inspiration and gain self-awareness I needed to change my life for the better.
Using my years of experience journaling and designing journals, here are some journal prompts for you;
Hopes, Dreams, & Goals
What is something you want to learn how to do?
What is something you wish you could know about?
What’s your wildest dream?
What is something that you are always wishing for?
What would you do if money were no object?
What is something you wish you could do?
What is something you want to do better than you do now?
What would your perfect day look like?
What did you do this week that brought you closer to your goals?
List 25 fun things yo would really like to do this year.
What would you do if you know you couldn’t fail?
Write out a bucket list, i.e., things you want to do or accomplish before you pass.
What place do you wish you could visit right now?
Life’s Moments
Tell about something that is beautiful to you.
If you could relive one moment from yesterday what would it be? Describe it in detail.
What is the best thing that ever happened to you?
Tell about something that made you want to do better.
Tell about something that made you feel thankful.
Describe a childhood memory that you would love to relive.
Tell about something that taught you an important lesson.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
What was your favorite toy as a child? Describe the toy, or write about a memory involving it.
Describe an accomplishment that you are most proud of.
What is the biggest mistake you made this week?
What is something you wish you could do over?
What is your very first memory?
What was your favorite band growing up?
Do you remember any of your favorite song lyrics?
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?
As a child, who was your favorite relative and why?
Being You
What is something that you could teach someone else how to do?
Are you superstitious?
What are you superstitious about?
What is something wonderful that makes you different from everyone else?
What is your favorite thing to wear? Why?
What is something that you know is true?
What scares you?
What are some song lyrics that mean something to you?
What are the freedoms that you appreciate and why?
List a few professions that you wanted to be when you were young. What regrets or thankfulness do you feel about not pursuing each of these professions?
What is the most important thing you do every day?
What is something you feel really proud of?
How do you indulge yourself? Do you need to indulge yourself more often?
What holds you back?
What is something that makes you really happy?
What is your favorite treat?
What things do you appreciate today?
Who would you trust your deepest secrets to? If no one, then why?
What makes you feel vulnerable?
Make a list of 10 people you are thankful for being in your life.
Write out your favorite quotes.
What is your biggest fear?
List or journal about all the things you love in life.
Personal Growth
What is something you have learned about friendship?
Write a letter to your younger self. What would you like him/her to know to prepare for his/her future?
Write a letter that you could have received from yourself ten years from now. What would your future self have to tell you?
What is something you have learned in a book?
What character traits do you need to work on?
If you could change one thing about your life to make it better, what would it be?
What is something you have learned about being kind?
What are your biggest values? How can you portray them more in your daily life?
Was there a specific event in your life that inspired you to be a better person?
What is something you have learned about telling the truth?
Write your obituary as if you died yesterday.
How would it look twenty years from now?
What is something you have learned about family?
Write about five different ways you can become a better person.
Tell a story about when you were a beginner (at anything). How far have you come since then?
What have you always been curious about?
Storytelling
What would you change if you were in charge of the world?
Do you believe there is life on other planets? Why?
What other point in time do you think you would fare well in? How would your life be different?
What does the word ‘miracle’ mean to you?
Close your eyes and imagine the kind of world you would like to see. What is it like?
If you could be anyone else (fictional or non) for a day, who would it be and why?
What would you do if you found yourself suddenly rich?
If you had a super power, what would it be?
List ten good things and ten bad things you would do with it.
Rip out an image from a magazine and glue it into your journal. Then, make up a story about the person or objects in the photo.
If you could become a member of any TV family, which would it be and why?
Do you own an object of great value to you even though it isn’t worth a lot of money? Write about what it is and why it’s important to you.
What would you do if you could live a day without consequences?
Finish the Sentence Life is…
One thing I want to accomplish this month is…
Nobody knows that I…
My favorite place to go is…
When I’m happy…
The smell of cake makes me think of…
I feel ___ years old inside because…
If I had no work or other obligations tomorrow, I would…
I used to think…
Before my time ends…
I wish I was…
I remember when…
3am feels like…
The greatest gift I’ve ever been given…
I wonder…
I am proud of myself for…
I am grateful for…
I believe…
Comments