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Self Care

Journaling Prompts: 87 Ideas To Help You Get Started

Struggling to get started with journaling? These prompts will help you explore your thoughts and experiences.

Last Updated on December 10, 2023 by BiblioLifestyle

Journaling with Prompts

If you’re like many people, the idea of journaling can be daunting.  You may feel like you don’t know what to write about or that your thoughts and experiences aren’t interesting enough to fill an entire journal.  If this is how you feel, because I’ve been there too, journal prompts can be a great way to get started.  Prompts can structure your journaling and help you explore topics and ideas you may not have thought of, especially when you’re drawing a blank.  So whether you’re looking to improve your mental health, gain clarity on your goals, or document your day-to-day life, there’s a prompt out there.

In this article, we’ll share lists of daily journaling prompts, and journal prompts for mental health, gratitude, self-discovery, healing, anxiety, self-love, and reflection to help get you started no matter where you are.  And who knows?  Once you start writing, you may find that the most challenging part is getting started in the first place.

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Why journaling is beneficial

Why journaling is beneficial

Journaling can be a very beneficial activity for people of all ages.  It can help to release pent-up emotions and improve mental health, plus journaling has even been shown to improve physical health.  When journaling, people can process their thoughts and feelings in a safe and healthy way.  In addition, journaling can help people to become more self-aware and reflective.

How to get started with journaling

Starting journaling can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be!  All journaling requires is a journal, a pen, and a willingness to express your thoughts and ideas.  Carving out even five minutes daily for journaling will allow you to become more self-aware and improve your well-being.  Start by simply jotting down what happened each day – fears or successes, plans or topics of discussion.

Then as you progress, try other journaling techniques, such as writing morning pages or addressing goals.  Through journaling, you’ll soon realize its immense power in grounding yourself, bringing clarity and direction, and manifesting dreams!

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Journaling for Beginners

List of 87 Journal Prompts

17 Daily journal prompts

Daily journaling is important for many reasons. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What am I grateful for today?
  2. If I could make one change in my life right now, what would it be?
  3. What have I learned about myself today?
  4. How can I show kindness to others today?
  5. What am I feeling the most stressed about today and why?
  6. What are three goals that I want to accomplish this week?
  7. If I could give myself some advice, what would it be?
  8. Who made me feel supported and loved today and why?
  9. What is something that has been bothering me lately and how can I move forward with it?
  10. What do I need more of in my life right now and why?
  11. 11. What is one thing I can do to take care of myself today?
  12. What am I most proud of today and why?
  13. What do I need to forgive myself for today?
  14. How can I challenge myself in a positive way today?
  15. What made me happy today and why?
  16. What was the biggest lesson I learned today?
  17. What are three things I can do to improve my life this week?
Journal prompts for mental health

10 Journal prompts for mental health

Journaling is a powerful tool that can be used to improve mental health and well-being. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What am I most proud of this week?
  2. How have I been showing myself self-care today?
  3. What do I need to let go of in order to move forward with my goals?
  4. What can I do differently tomorrow if times get tough?
  5. If a friend was feeling like me, what advice would I give them?
  6. Are there any patterns or areas that I could focus on improving in my life right now?
  7. What is something positive that happened today, and how did it make me feel better about the situation overall?
  8. How important are my mental health needs compared to everyone else’s around me right now, and why?
  9. Is there anything specific that is making me anxious right now, and what can be done about it immediately or long-term so it does not keep coming back up repeatedly for discussion/anxiety later on down the road?
  10. Am I too hard on myself lately because of expectations from others rather than setting personal achievable goals for growth within myself as an individual?
Gratitude journal prompts

10 Gratitude journal prompts

Journaling about gratitude is an incredibly powerful practice for many reasons. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What am I most grateful for today?
  2. What small moments from today can I be thankful for and why?
  3. What strengths do I have that I am grateful for?
  4. Who has been supportive of me in my life, and how can I show them appreciation?
  5. In what ways can I express gratitude for my life today?
  6. What are five things that I could be grateful for right now?
  7. What have I learned from my experiences that I am grateful for?
  8. What blessings have I had in my life that I am thankful for?
  9. What is something I have taken for granted lately, and how can I show gratitude for it?
  10. How can I pay forward the kindness that others have shown me?
Journal prompts for self discovery

10 Journal prompts for self discovery

Journaling for self-discovery can be a powerful tool in the pursuit of personal growth and development. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What are three things that make me unique?
  2. What values do I hold dear and why?
  3. What have been the defining moments in my life so far?
  4. How have I evolved over time, and what experiences have shaped me?
  5. What do I want to be remembered for when I am gone?
  6. What is something that I am passionate about, and why?
  7. How can I live my life authentically and true to myself?
  8. What talents have I been blessed with, and how can I use them to make a difference in the world?
  9. In what ways do my beliefs differ from those around me, and how can I embrace them?
  10. What are my dreams for the future, and why do they mean so much to me?
Reflection Journal prompts

10 Reflection Journal prompts

Journaling for reflection is a powerful tool to help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves and their current situation. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What have been the highlights of my life so far and why are they important to me?
  2. What were some of the most meaningful moments I’ve experienced and why?
  3. How have I grown as an individual since last year?
  4. What lessons have I learned from my mistakes and how can I use them to move forward?
  5. What are some of the ways that I have changed for the better over time?
  6. What have been some of the most difficult times in my life and how did I get through them?
  7. Are there any patterns that I have noticed in certain relationships or situations throughout my life, and what can I do to change them if necessary?
  8. What am I most proud of accomplishing in my life and why?
  9. What are some areas that I could work on to make myself a better person?
  10. How can I use the skills, strengths, and experiences that I have gained to help others in need?
Journaling prompts for anxiety

10 Journaling prompts for anxiety

Journaling for anxiety is a powerful tool to help individuals manage their stress and worries. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What are the main triggers for my anxiety, and how can I reduce or avoid them?
  2. How do my thoughts, actions, and emotions contribute to my anxiety levels?
  3. What techniques can I use to cope with intrusive thoughts or overwhelming sensations?
  4. What are my self-care strategies that I can use to relax and manage my anxiety?
  5. In what ways can I talk to myself in a supportive, understanding manner when feeling anxious?
  6. What are some of the things that I am grateful for despite feeling anxious?
  7. What positive steps can I take today to help reduce my anxiety levels?
  8. What are some of the things that I can do to help me recover after an anxious episode?
  9. How can I remind myself of my own strength and resilience when feeling anxious?
  10. What goals can I set for myself to help manage my anxiety in a healthy way?
Journaling prompts for healing

10 Journaling prompts for healing

Journaling for healing is an incredibly powerful tool for individuals who are struggling with difficult emotions, such as sadness, fear, anger, or grief. Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What emotions am I feeling right now and why?
  2. How can I express my feelings in a healthy and constructive way?
  3. What are some of the things that have helped me heal in the past and how can I continue to use them now?
  4. What steps can I take today to start the healing process?
  5. What things do I need to let go of in order to move forward and heal?
  6. What forgiveness do I need to practice in order to find peace and closure?
  7. How can I be kind and compassionate towards myself during this time of healing?
  8. Who or what can I turn to for emotional and spiritual support?
  9. What are some of the lessons that I’ve learned from this experience, and how can they help me in the future?
  10. What affirmations can I use to help myself stay grounded and centered during my healing journey?
Journaling prompts for self love

10 Journal prompts for self love

Journaling for self-love is an incredibly important tool to help individuals foster a deeper understanding of themselves and cultivate an attitude of compassion and acceptance toward themselves.  Here are some journaling prompts to help get you started:

  1. What qualities do I love most about myself and why?
  2. What are some of the things that make me unique and special?
  3. How can I nurture my self-esteem in a healthy way?
  4. What kind words would I use to describe myself if someone asked me to do so?
  5. What would I do if I could give myself unconditional love and acceptance?
  6. What are some of the activities that help me feel connected to my true self?
  7. How can I practice radical self-care and make it a priority in my life?
  8. How have I shown compassion and understanding towards myself in the past?
  9. What are some of the goals that I can set for myself to help foster self-love and appreciation?
  10. How can I remind myself that I am worthy of love and respect no matter what?
Tips for making journaling a habit

Tips for making journaling a habit

Journaling is a great way to improve your overall mental and emotional well-being.  It can also be an effective tool for self-reflection, allowing you to gain deeper insight into yourself and the events of your life.  Making journaling a habit can help you stay organized, more mindful, and more productive throughout your everyday life.  Here are some tips to help you make journaling a regular practice:

  1. Set aside a specific time each day or week when you will write in your journal.  Dedicating a certain amount of time to this activity can help you stay committed and consistent with your writing.
  2. Choose an activity that you find enjoyable, such as reading, listening to music, or going for a walk.  Doing something that you find enjoyable can help make journaling more enjoyable as well.
  3. Write about whatever comes to mind first, even if it doesn’t seem important at the time.  Keeping an open mind and being honest with yourself is essential for effective journaling.
  4. Set realistic goals for your writing practice and celebrate when you meet them.  Writing down your goals can help keep you motivated and accountable throughout your journey.
  5. Create a comfortable environment in which to write, such as lighting a candle or diffusing essential oils while journaling.  Making your surroundings conducive to relaxation can help to foster creativity and expression during your writing sessions.
  6. Share your journaling experiences with a friend or family member.  Having an outside perspective can be beneficial in exploring and understanding your thoughts and feelings more deeply.
  7. Reward yourself for sticking to your journaling practice!  Celebrating small victories is a great way to stay inspired and motivated in the long run.

Ideas for what to do with your journals once you’ve filled them up

  1. Create a scrapbook by including photos, drawings, or artwork along with your written entries.
  2. Transform your journal into an art piece by using different colors and textures to illustrate the stories you have shared in it.
  3. Scan important journal entries and store them digitally for easy access and future reference.
  4. Use the insights and learnings you have gained from your journaling practice to create art, start a blog, or write a book.
  5. Give your journals as gifts to friends or family members who may benefit from them.
  6. Transform your entries into creative writing pieces that can be shared with the world.
  7. Donate old journals to schools or libraries as a source of inspiration and motivation for future generations.
  8. Take a look back at your old entries from time to time and reflect on how far you have come.

Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, reflection, and growth.  Incorporating this activity into your daily routine can help you to create positive habits that will benefit you for years to come.  With some patience, dedication, and commitment, you’ll soon find that journaling is one of the best investments you can make in yourself!

What is your relationship with journaling?

Are you currently journaling?  Are you planning to start a journal or journaling habit?  Let us talk about it in the comments below!

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Journaling Prompts - 87 Ideas To Help You Get Started

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