START JOURNALING: 200+ PROMPTS FOR INTROSPECTION & GROWTH

Nov 30

Hey there bookworms.

Picture this: It was Tuesday night. Good company. Lots of pasta. Lots of laughs. Enriching conversations. A desire to become better versions of ourselves. The topic of journaling came up, sparked by a shared goal with my friend Reagan to explore this powerful tool for personal growth.

Now, I'll be the first to admit, I've never been a die-hard journaler. There is something about just rambling on about how my day went everyday that just feels bleh. However, the allure of recording the thought-provoking discussions with friends and the need for a mental health practice has led me to dabble in self-care and therapy journals over the past few years. And guess what? I really have fallen in love with the process of writing. It turns out, when prompted, I can fill pages and pages with my reflections, musings, and dreams.

So, in my quest to solidify this newfound interest in journaling, I've compiled a list of 200+ journaling prompts. These prompts not only serve as the kickstarter for my writing journey but will keep me engaged in the practice long term. Or at least that is the goal. I’m contemplating the idea printing out the prompts and putting them in a jar to pull from randomly, or perhaps I will just bookmark this blog post so I can easily reference the list.

I’m sharing this list for two main reasons. firstly, I believe there's someone out there, just like me, yearning to journal but in need of that gentle nudge from a prompt to kickstart a lasting habit. And secondly, I'm laying it all out here for accountability. By publishing a blog post and putting it out into the universe that I want to start a journaling habit - I think I’ll stay committed.

Without further ado, here are the prompts. May we all feel happier and healthier when we make journaling part of our daily routine. Let’s get writing bookworm bitches.

Please note that journaling prompts were pulled from my mind, REAL LIFE THERAPY SESSIONS, Pinterest graphics, and podcasts such as The Wellness Cafe, The Matcha Diaries, On My Mind, 80/20, Bad on Paper, The Heart and Hustle, and Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast.

Journal prompts for a challenge

Challenge yourself to write a whole page dedicated to compliments about yourself.
Describe a painful experience and how it ultimately made you a stronger person.
How can you challenge yourself to be more present, or in other words "in the moment"?
Think about your 13-year-old self. What would you say if that version of you was questioning your worth?
What are you scared of right now?
What does forgiveness mean to you? Who do you need to forgive, including yourself?
What does vulnerability mean to you?
How are you contributing to your own unhappiness?
How do you want to contribute your talents and passions to the world?
I forgive myself for believing...
I forgive myself for feeling...
Write yourself a love letter.
In what ways have you been in your head this week?
Is there something bothering you right now even though you feel like it shouldn't?
Think of an insecurity that you have about yourself. How would you give words of support to a friend struggling with that same insecurity.
What are 10 questions you wish you had the answers to right now?
What are some things in your life that you feel pressured to do?
What are some ways you can more fully embrace your imperfections?
What are the things pulling on your heartstrings today?
What are your pet peeves? Where do they stem from?
What area of your life do you wish you had more confidence in?
What emotions do you typically avoid feeling? What do you think would happen if you allow yourself to feel these emotions?
What in your life has been the hardest to accept?
When have you resisted change?
What is your relationship with self-worth?
What is one secret feeling you haven't admitted to yourself and how can you release it?
What is something you need to ask for help with?
What lie did you used to believe? What truth has replaced this lie?
What parts of your personality hold you back?
What words of encouragement do you most need to hear today?
What would be the worst way someone could perceive you?
When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
Who is someone you envy and why?
Who or where do you seek validation from?
Write about a time that you have felt vulnerable.

Journal prompts for community

Name at least one thing you're grateful for about each person in your family and/or friend group.
What parts of yourself do you hide from others?
What does friendship mean to you?
What does it mean to be a supportive partner? A supportive friend?
What do you expect from your friends? How do you or can you communicate those needs to them?
Who are the people in your life you trust the most to help you create the life you’ve always dreamed of?
If someone described me, what would they say?
In what ways have you felt supported by friends, family, or your community recently?
Make a list: What people, places can and moments make you forget about checking the time?
What do you think people admire about you?
What personality traits do you notice in others that you wish you had? How do you feel when your around people with these traits?
Who are the people in your life that make you feel like you can be yourself?
Who are the people that feel easy to talk to in your life?
Who is your community? How do you connect to them?
Why is community important to you?
In what ways have your parents influenced who you are today?
What defines a healthy relationship for you?
What is your favorite group activity and why?
What kind of companionship are you seeking?
What kindness did you show to others today, and how did it make you feel?
What makes you feel less lonely?
What relationships in your life need attention or healing?
What’s something you wish others knew about you?
When was the last time you were positively surprised by something or someone?
Who is someone you admire? What qualities do you love about them?
Who is someone you would like to grow closer to? How can you make this happen?
Write about someone you miss, what do you miss about them? How do they make you feel?

Journal prompts for creativity & inspiration

How are you nurturing your creativity?
How can you nurture your creativity today?
If you only had one year left of life, what would you do?
My life is creating...
Name a person you've never met who has inspired you.
What's a favorite quote that inspires you?
Write about a place where you feel most inspired. Describe how you feel emotionally and physically when you’re there and reflect on how the scenery engages your senses.
Write down the lyrics to your favorite song or a quote from a poem or inspirational post.
Go sit outside or by the nearest window and write down 25 things you notice. Use all of your available senses.
In what ways do you see the beauty of this season?
What messages or insights are your receiving from your intuition?
What new insights have you gained from your reading, conversations, or observations?
What nonfiction title has made you more interested in a topic? What can you do to explore this topic further?
Who were your reading role models growing up?
Write “Note to self:” and then see what happens next.

Journal prompts for fun

Create a bucket-list of things to do this year, only within a 25-mile radius where you live.
Describe 3-5 things you wear all the time. Are they in the closet? In the hamper? In a pile on a chair? This will be fun to look back on years from now!
Describe the coffee mug/cup you always use.
Describe the perfect reading spot.
Describe your favorite comfort meal.
Describe your perfect home. Where is it, what does it look like, and who do you share it with?
What have you been listening to lately?
What would be on the soundtrack for your favorite book?
What's your favorite part of your daily routine?
What's your favorite place that you've traveled to?
What's your favorite season and why?
What's your favorite way to enjoy a city?
What's your favorite way to enjoy nature?
Where do you want to travel?
Browse Pinterest and make a list of recipes or DIYs you’d like to try.
How can you celebrate yourself more?
How has media shaped your personality, interests, and life?
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? One author? One genre?
What is the first book you remember loving?
What is the most memorable book you have read?
What is your biggest book pet peeve?
What’s in your handbag/book bag right now? Write down everything that’s there.
Write about the most fun you had recently. What were you doing and who were you with?
List five things that immediately make you smile.
What are the things in you home that are the most “you”?
What were your favorite things to do as a child?
Who was your first literary crush? What drew you to them?
Who were your childhood crushes? Celebrity and people you know.

Journal prompts for gratitude

Look around the room. What do you see that you're grateful for?
Name a book you're grateful for and why.
Name a movie you're grateful for and why.
Name a song you're grateful for and why.
What author are you most grateful for?
What musician are you most grateful for?
Look through your camera roll and find a photograph you want to remember. Describe it on the page.
Name five things you love about your home.
Name five things you love about your neighborhood and/or town.
What are you looking forward to right now? If you can’t think of anything, what can you do to change that?
What doors are closing? What doors are opening?
What is something you know how to do that is unique or rare?
What priveliges do you benefit from?
What role does love play in your life?
What skill did someone teach you that you are thankful for? Who taught you it and why? How has it been a gift in your life?
What's the best thing about your current age?
Where have you been struck by awe this week?
Write about an act of kindness that someone did for you that took you by surprise.

Journal prompts for growth

Amidst all that is unknown, what are you hoping to learn over the next year?
What are new ways you can measure progress this year?
What are you excited about creating, trying, exploring this year?
What are your current career goals?
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of this month?
What goals do you want to achieve in the short term, medium-term, and long term?
What is a financial goal that you hope to achieve?
What steps can you take to manifest your goals and intentions?
Define what success looks like for yourself.
How do you make your dreams a reality?
What intentions do you want to set for the months ahead?
What are you hoping happens this week?
What do you want to leave behind?
What have you been putting off? How can you give time to that today?
What is a hobby or pasttime that you wish you did?
What is one thing you can remove from your plate this season?
What is the next thing you want to learn?
What is your mantra in this season?
What matters most to you this season?
What new opportunities are presenting themselves in your life?
What two things can you do this week to experience expansion in your life?
What would be a better work-life balance for you?
What would make you happy right at this moment? Jot down what's holding you back and how you can be proactive about your happiness.
What’s not working in your life right now?
When did you feel most at peace today? What about that moment can you replicate?
Write about any frustrations, stresses, or worries. When you're finished talking about how they affect you negatively, write about how you can move forward from them and/or what you can do to resolve them.

Journal prompts for reflection

Describe a situation or place that makes you feel safe, protected, loved, or calm.
Describe your most cherished memory.
Describe your most prized relationship(s).
Name a person who shaped who you are today.
Name three healthy habits you started within the last year that have changed your life for the better.
Think back on the last year. What positive changes in your life have occurred since one year ago?
What do you know to be true that you didn’t know a year ago?
What does art mean to you?
What does beauty mean to you?
What does love mean to you?
What health, wellness and fitness practices have been the most helpful? The most challenging? The most detrimental?
What is something you find challenging?
What positive things do you have in your life that you didn't have five years ago?
What’s going on in your life that you want to remember 5 years from now?
When was the last time you cried?
When was the last time you laughed really hard?
Do you consider yourself more of a thinker or a feeler?
Have you tried to take your ego out of your current challenges?
How are your better than yesterday?
How can you become more authentic in your relationships?
How can you step outside of your comfort zone to grow?
I am good because...
If someone was to describe your life story back to you, which three events would you want them to highlight the most?
In another life, who would you want to be? Write out this character, what they do for a living, their personality traits, etc.
Take five minutes today to be still in silence. How does stillness feel for you?
Think about where you live. What is this place teaching you?
Think about your favorite childhood memory and tell it like a story. What about it makes you remember it to this day?
Today, I am proud of...
What are your core values, and how do they inform your behavior?
What are you learning about yourself?
What are you wondering about?
What areas of your life are causing you stress? What areas of your life are bringing you joy?
What did you do this past week? - Write a log of everything you remember, going day by day. Look at your phone's camera roll for reference.
What distractions get in the way of being your most productive self?
What do you know for sure?
What do you love about your life?
What emotions do you feel right now, and why?
What is something that has always been true about me?
What is the best day you've had in recent memory? Get super detailed about everything that happened that day. Is it possible to replicate some of the elements of that day in the near future?
What strength do you feel in this moment?
What were you like as a child?
What would you describe as being the greatest accomplishment of your life so far?
What's on your mind?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
When did you last feel truly joyful? What was happening then?
Write about a time when you felt truly yourself.

Journal prompts for self care

What are some ways you can practice more self-care?
What self-care practices do you need to prioritize to enhance your physical health? Your mental health?
What types of self-care make the most difference for you?
When you feel pain or sadness, what makes you feel grounded?
Where are you holding tension or other sensations in your body? How can you care for yourself in this moment?
Do you wake up feeling energizes and well rested? Why or why not?
How do you cope with stress?
How does your heart feel?
How have you been nurturing your body lately?
I know I am happy when...
What hurts right now? How can you find relief?
Write five guilty pleasures you don’t feel guilty about.
List three habits that do and three habits that do not support you becoming the person you want to be.
Name one luxury you enjoy on a daily basis.
This is evidence that I'm wonderful and capable...
What activities allow you to enter a peaceful flow state?
What are some of the signs and symptoms that your mental health is dipping?
What are three activities that help you relax and unwind?
What are three things you can do to improve your physical health?
What does self-compassion look like to you? How can I practice it more?
What does your sleep routine currently look like?
What is your favorite solitary activity and why?
When do you feel most in tune with yourself?
Write a list of ways you can simplify your life?

Jessica Mertz https://www.honeyfoxfilms.com