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Are you struggling to find empowering journal entry ideas, and seeking the best journaling prompts for self discovery?
Look no further! We’re so excited to share over 110 (yes, you read that properly!) of the top journal writing prompts. We’ll review all the best journaling practices to help you get started, too.
With these best journaling prompts in hand, you will improve your emotional well-being, increase your self awareness, shift your identity, and expand your self discovery.
Sound like a plan? Perfect! Let’s get into all the simple writing prompts for journaling, as well as our huge list of incredible journal prompt topics.
This post is all about the best journaling prompts.
Best Journaling Prompts
What are journal prompts?
Journal prompts, by nature, are words, images, or one to two-line open-ended sentences, or questions, that provoke further thought.
With a good journal prompt in hand, you can pick up a pen and paper, or use a digital journaling app, and just start writing.
Since the best journaling prompts establish guardrails around the topic you’re focusing on, you’ll be eager to think outside the box.
During your journaling practice, you’ll assess aspects of your life experiences, clarify your emotions, and develop a deeper understanding of your reality.
Simple journal prompts and diary entry ideas are fantastic for when you have writer’s block or are feeling lost and unmotivated.
Also, the best journal prompts inspire in different ways. No two people will interpret a journal prompt the same way.
Leveraging these unique thoughts, feelings, and instincts while journaling is your key to success!
What makes a good journal prompt?
In order to be a good journal prompt, journal entry ideas need to connect with the end user. They must be succinct enough to review, and deep enough to elicit dense thoughts.
Also, the best prompts for journaling tend to be evocative.
Rather than being a one-time, easy task, the best writing prompts should make you think in a creative fashion.
A well-written journal prompt should stick in your thoughts like honey. It should make you feel provoked, intrigued, and compelled to respond with urgency.
Finally, journal prompt examples, like the ones included on my FREE resources page, help you make sense of the world around you.
We’re all consumed with various stimuli throughout the day. Using journal entry prompts to document your takeaways, opinions, and lingering questions about the world is a must-have for self mastery.
What are journal prompts for mental wellbeing?
Journal prompts for mental wellbeing are specifically crafted to help you bolster your emotional intelligence.
The best mental health journal prompts pinpoint your feelings, fears, and dreams, and force you to confront them as you write down your response.
As you describe your mental status, you are compelled to unpack the root cause of your mindset and brainstorm coping mechanisms. You also express gratitude for the positive features of your life.
Later in this post, I get into the best journal topics – several of which are related to your mental and spiritual wellness.
This includes self discovery, self growth, self love, and more!
How do I start journaling?
Beginning your journal writing practice does not need to be over complicated.
There are a few journaling essentials that will equip you to have the best journaling experience possible. I’ve shared a few recommendations for these journal essentials below:
Best Journals
Best Bullet Journals
The Best Journaling Apps
The top three on the market are…
Best Journaling Pens
Journaling Supplies
Once you have the proper journaling products, all you need to do is start!
Schedule ten to fifteen minutes into your schedule each day to dedicate to exploring the best journaling prompts.
It’s really that simple!
Additionally, remember that even with these top journal supplies and journaling tools in hand, your practice will keep growing the more often you write.
Like any other wellness habits, the more time spent, the more comfortable you’ll feel!
You may even get to the point that certain conversations and observations throughout your own day become their own “journal prompts” in your mind.
This may happen as you read self discovery and self growth books as well. I’ve experienced this sort of pressing feeling to journal after reading, and it is pretty magical!
Of course, there will be times when you aren’t feeling as eager to write, or are stuck in a rut. Thus, having great writing prompts in your arsenal is never a bad thing!
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What are good journal topics?
Good journal topics vary on an individual basis. We’d all likely disagree about the best journal entry ideas because we value them in accordance with OUR values.
Some of us may want to focus on journal prompts for healing, especially if we’re recovering from heartbreak or loss.
Others may feel more apt to concentrate on journal prompts for self love, journal prompts for mental health, or even simple journal prompts to incorporate into our daily routines.
That’s why I’ve sectioned these journal topics for adults out by purpose.
The best journaling prompts detailed below will help you answer the following questions:
- What should I write in my everyday journal? Pick a diary idea from the list below every time you sit down to write, and let your thoughts flow! Allot ten to fifteen minutes to start.
- What should I journal when bored? If you’re out of journal entry ideas, simply select a journal topic from the master list below, and repeat the process as many times as needed.
My overall suggestion is to scroll through the master list of journal topics until you find one that sparks your interest.
Remember that sometimes, the same prompt can turn into a new journal entry in the future. As life evolves, you’ll likely have different answers to the same journal entry ideas.
In addition to the journal writing prompts outlined below, you can find additional journal prompts here!
Journal prompts for healing
As you heal your past wounds and take ownership of your present reality, here are some of the best journaling prompts for inner healing:
1. Write out three affirmations that bring you confidence. Repeat them in your mind as soon as you wake up in the morning.
2. Describe an important lesson you’ve learned from a past relationship.
3. Describe an experience or challenge you are ready to release today.
4. Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for? If yes, write yourself a detailed letter.
5. What are three actionable steps you can take to bring a greater sense of inner peace into your day and life?
6. What are your three most important boundaries to protect your energy?
7. Describe yourself in three positive words. Elaborate on your selected words.
8. Write a letter to your future self in five years. Describe yourself and your life as you’d like it to be. How you’re feeling, who you are, how you’ve transformed, etc.
9. What practices can you implement to take ownership of your present circumstances?
10. What people, places, or memories disturb you? Is this a sign that you’re not fully healed from them? What habits can you implement to fully recover from them?
11. Write a letter of encouragement to your younger self. Remember how far you’ve come, how you wished for many of the things you have today.
12. When do you feel most alive and free?
13. What has your deepest pain taught you?
14. Write about your insecurities. Where did these originate from? Why are you still carrying them around?
15. Describe an experience that ended up being a blessing in disguise.
16. What is one gift your season of healing provided you with?
17. What’s something you need to let go of? A fear, something that makes you frustrated or angry, etc.
18. Where do you feel most at home? Most comfortable? Dive into detail on this.
19. If you could go back and re-experience any memory from your childhood, what would it be and why?
20. Are any feelings impeding your growth because they’re too raw or deep to process on your own? How can you leverage your support system to work through them?
Journal prompts for mental health
As you invest in becoming the most authentic version of yourself, it’s essential to dissect your current mental wellbeing. This provides actionable insights to form new habits.
21. What parts of your life have been most affected by your inner child?
22. What is your attachment style?
23. What emotions do you experience most frequently?
24. How would you spend your perfect day off?
25. Which thoughts about the future make you feel the most inspired?
26. What can you do today to take better care of yourself?
27. What comes to mind first when you think of what makes you feel safe?
28. What are you grateful for?
29. Are there any circumstances, or environments, that prove more difficult than others? Why?
30. How do your personal and professional relationships impact your emotional state?
31. Write a letter about a specific, detrimental pattern you are repeating, and come up with an action plan for eliminating this behavior from your life.
Journal prompts for self discovery
All the best prompts for self discovery to learn more about the past and present versions of yourself – which ultimately shifts your future identity.
32. What are the values of the highest version of yourself?
33. What’s keeping you from living your dream life? How can you address those fears?
34. What can you do to make yourself feel more empowered physically?
35. Write a note about a time in your life you felt out of control in your reality. What lead you to this place, and how can you avoid visiting in the future?
36. Who did you look up to growing up? What makes them any different from who you are today?
37. Name a specific limiting belief that’s preventing further progress in your life. What will it take to dismantle this false narrative?
38. How can you better incorporate self care into your routine? Which behaviors will have the greatest impact on your wellbeing?
39. Which areas of your life are most overwhelming? Why are you letting this trend continue?
40. Name an accomplishment from the past three months, big or small. Why is this significant to you? What does it prove about your potential?
41. Create a list of your ten biggest fears – again, big or small. Now, brainstorm one activity to overcome this fear… once you become fearless, you become limitless.
42. What is a goal you set for yourself but can’t achieve? Are there habits or systems you can implement to make success more attainable? Do you need to alter this goal moving forward?
43. How can you make more time in your schedule for your priorities?
44. If you let go of this one thing, life would be a lot simpler. What came to mind first?
45. Are you living life by design or by default? Elaborate.
Journal prompts for self love
46. What would your closest people say is your best quality?
47. What would they say is your weakness?
48. If the answer to that question is YOU: how can you get out of your own way?
49. How do you feel after scrolling through social media? How can you practice digital decluttering to boost your mood?
50. Name a recent book or podcast episode that strengthened your relationship with yourself.
51. Write a love letter to yourself.
52. Brainstorm ten solo date ideas, big or small, and put a timeline next to them. Book them into your schedule.
53. What quote or phrase do you live by? How does it make you feel?
54. What parts of you are you most confident in?
55. Take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale. Now, free write for ten minutes. How are you feeling today? What’s taking up the most space in your mind?
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Journaling prompts for self growth
If you’re anything like me, your responses to deep journal prompts stick with you for a long time.
There’s no limit to what can be uncovered when you engage with the best journaling prompts around!
56. Recall an instance where you let down a loved one, friend, or partner. How did this make you feel? Why did you let them down?
57. Make a list of life lessons you would’ve loved to tell yourself five years ago.
58. Think about the last conversation you had with someone over the age of 60. Explain the context of your talk, and what you took away from it.
59. When was the last time you honored your progress?
60. What was your favorite hobby, sport, or pastime as a child? Are you still doing it today? If not, do you think finding a way to bring this activity back into your life would bring you joy?
61. Name a mistake you made in the past month. Why did this happen, and what did you learn?
62. What was important to you a few years ago that no longer is today? What’s changed?
63. Deep dive into the most courageous thing you’ve ever done.
64. What can you do, big or small, to get out of your comfort zone?
65. How do your current wellness goals align with the new identity you’re building?
66. Have you set daily non-negotiables that align with the goals above?
67. Explore one of your passions. What makes you so excited about it?
68. Who do you find yourself comparing yourself to the most? Where is this stemming from?
69. Can you draw a line between which relationships drain your energy, and which are most fulfilling? How can you attract more of the latter into your universe?
70. Audit your content habits… which platforms are you spending the most time on? Which creators do you follow? Are adjustments needed here?
Daily journaling prompts
Forming a daily journaling habit is a great way to consistently monitor your emotional well being. Here are some top journal entry ideas to get going:
71. Do you feel happy today? Reflect.
72. Which aspects of your life feel good right now? Why?
73. Which aspects of your life do you wish were different? Why?
74. How did your morning and evening routines go last night? What parts do you enjoy? What parts do you not enjoy?
75. Set three intentions for the day.
76. What’s the best element of your life right now?
77. How is your living situation impacting your life? Is anything working particularly well – or not?
78. Did any worries keep you up last night? Reflect.
79. What is your biggest distraction right now?
80. Name three wellness habits you are committed to including in your daily routine. How well are you executing this?
Monthly journal prompts
Completing journal writing prompts on a monthly basis is a fantastic way to review a larger period of time (likely with more content to reflect on).
Incorporate these best journaling practices into your monthly reset routine for optimal results!
JANUARY
81. What is your biggest regret from the past month?
82. What keeps you going when you experience a lack of motivation? Recall your WHY.
83. Write about your five personal strengths. Focus intensely on the number one strength.
FEBRUARY
84. How can you show yourself more love? What relationships need to be removed from your life to make you feel more confident and content?
85. What is your biggest concern from the past month?
86. What is the last dream you remember? How is it significant?
MARCH
87. Did you learn anything this month that changes your core values?
88. When you’re 85 years old, what will you wish you would’ve done? Hint: do it! YOLO.
89. If you didn’t have work or other responsibilities, what would you be doing? How can you attract more of this type of energy into your life?
APRIL
90. Who do you want to spend more time with during the next month? Why?
91. List the five largest time demands in your schedule. How can you limit their impact?
92. What would you like to be remembered for?
MAY
93. List ten things you expressed gratitude for this month, big or small.
94. What are you holding onto too tightly?
95. Is there a dream you’re scared to share with anyone else? What’s holding you back?
JUNE
96. How can you make more time to have fun in your schedule?
97. What decision (s) are you procrastinating making? Reflect.
98. Do you love your environment right now? Physically and mentally, elaborate on your thoughts.
JULY
99. What is your personal definition of success right now – devoid of outside expectations?
100. Who are the five people you’re spending the most time with? How are they impacting your lifestyle, and your perception of your worthiness as a human being?
101. When was the last time you took bold action?
AUGUST
102. What’s the hardest conversation you’ve had this month? How did you feel before and after it happened? How have you evolved since then?
103. Is there anything you’re tolerating in your life that crosses your boundaries? Why aren’t you distancing yourself completely?
104. Are you a victim or a hero in your life story?
SEPTEMBER
105. What do you not get enough credit for? How can you give yourself that validation?
106. When you get stuck in your head, what thoughts are sucking up your attention?
107. Who in your life can you be yourself around, unapologetically?
OCTOBER
108. When you have trouble falling asleep, what thoughts are disrupting your energy field?
109. What meaningful contributions did you bring to society this month?
110. Did you receive any compliments this month? How did they make you feel?
NOVEMBER
111. If the year ended now, would you be proud of what you’ve accomplished?
112. If the answer is no, what can you do over the next two months to be in a better position?
113. What was the hardest part about your upbringing? Is it still affecting your present day?
DECEMBER
114. Name the worst thing that happened to you this year. Reflect on it in detail.
115. What surprised you about this year?
116. What do you deeply enjoy doing alone?
Best Journaling Prompts: Wrapping it Up
With these incredibly powerful journal entry ideas in hand, I hope you intimately connect with the highest version of yourself.
Which one of these life-changing journal prompts are you trying today? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
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