In my last post about journaling (How to Make Journaling Work for You) I shared that I typically write recaps of my day and what I’m currently feeling. This has been a tried and true method for me for many years, and I anticipate this to be my go-to approach for years to come. However, I’ve recently been using journaling prompts for when I want to get deeper and explore my thoughts beyond the surface level. I’ve found this to be a fun way to shake things up in my journaling practice and wanted to share prompts you can try yourself!
What do you want the next year to look like? The next 6 months? 3 months?
When to use: This is a great prompt when you need to get clear on your goals and ground yourself on what’s really important. I like to use this prompt to do a bit of planning, so it can be actionable too.
How can you reframe a current situation or thought pattern that bothers you?
When to use: If you’re a worrier like me, this prompt can help you think through why you are worried and shift to a more helpful perspective.
What could you do more of in your daily life to bring yourself peace? Less of? How can you commit to making adjustments?
When to use: If you feel like your daily habits could use a refresh, this is a great way to reflect on your current state and dream of your future state. It is especially important to write about the last question so you can turn dreams into reality.
Describe your perfect day.
When to use: For fun and to think of how you can turn that fantasy day (or at least aspects of it) into a real day on your calendar.
What are your top priorities? Think about categories such as life, work, relationships, personal development. What does it look like to live in accordance with those priorities?
When to use: This is an excellent prompt for going even more to the heart of what you want your days, weeks, months, and years to contain. I found that listing my priorities helped me realize when I was spending time worrying about things that didn’t really matter. I also recommend transferring your list to a note in your phone so you can revisit it often.
An example of a top priority I wrote was “Enjoy NYC – this looks like going to museums, attending events, embracing staying in the city (especially when it feels like everyone is on vacation), and seeing friend planned and spontaneously.”
What makes you excited?
When to use: This is a broad prompt that can be a great way to reflect on things that make you happy and activities that you should invest in more.
What prompts do you like to use when you journal? Any favorites you recommend? You can check out more inspiration here and here.
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