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50 Inspiring Journal Prompts to Spark Your Creativity

Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

creative journal prompt ideas

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

creative journal prompt ideas

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Benefits of Using Journal Prompts

How to use journal prompts, journal prompts you can try, how do you come up with a journal prompt.

A journal can be a trusted companion that helps you reflect on your thoughts, feelings, actions, decisions, and relationships. Research shows that journaling is linked to better planning, lower stress, and better physical and mental health.

Whether you write in your journal regularly or you’re just getting started, you might sometimes find yourself staring at a blank page and wondering what to write. If you’re at a loss for words, a journal prompt can come to the rescue.

Journal prompts are suggestions, ideas, or questions that can help guide and inspire your journal entries, says Sabrina Romanoff , PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University.

“Prompts are typically themes to reflect on or questions that are meant to motivate you to think deeper about something,” Dr. Romanoff adds.

In this article, we suggest some journal prompts that can spark your creativity . We also ask the expert for some strategies that can help you create your own journal prompts.

Prompted journaling, also known as guided journaling, offers several benefits:

  • Starting point: If you’ve never tried journaling before or if you’re experiencing writer’s block, journal prompts can help you get started.
  • Direction: Prompts can provide direction to your writing, says Dr. Romanoff. By focusing on a specific topic or question, you can explore your thoughts and feelings around it. 
  • Structure: Sometimes, you might prefer to write down your thoughts freely as they occur. However, there may be times when you want to organize your thoughts more coherently. Journal prompts can provide the structure you need to organize your thoughts.
  • Creativity: Using different journal prompts can introduce variety to your journaling experience. It can encourage you to think more creatively and approach things from different angles.
  • Insight: Journal prompts can provide topics or themes that help you explore fresh perspectives and new dimensions of yourself, says Dr. Romanoff. This process can help you discover personal insights and promote greater self-awareness .
  • Consistency: Having a prompt to guide each journaling session can encourage you to maintain a regular journaling practice. The prompts can make journaling feel like a purposeful and engaging activity, which may help you be more consistent with it.

These are some strategies that can help you use journal prompts:

  • Find prompts that inspire you: Dr. Romanoff suggests making a list of prompts that you find inspiring or motivating—you can come up with your own, buy a journal with prompts, or look online for examples.
  • Decide your frequency: It can be helpful to set a frequency for journaling, such as daily, weekly, monthly or at any other interval that works for you. You can use prompts every time you journal or just when you’re feeling stagnant and craving inspiration or motivation for your journaling session, says Dr. Romanoff.
  • Keep an open mind: Approach prompted journaling with an open mind . Reflect on the prompt and explore where it takes you. You can write as much or as little as you like. 
  • Get creative: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your responses or limit yourself only to words. You can even pen down your thoughts and feelings in the form of drawings or poetry, if you prefer.
  • Be honest and authentic: Honesty is key to getting the most out of journaling. Write from the heart and don't be afraid to express your true feelings, even if they are complex or challenging.
  • Reflect on your responses: After you've written your responses, take a moment to reflect on what you've written. Consider how your thoughts and emotions have evolved over the course of writing them down.

These are some journal prompts that can help you get started.

Self-Discovery Prompts

Self-discovery prompts can help you self-reflect and get to know yourself better. Greater self-awareness is linked to improved emotional intelligence.

These are some journal prompts that can enable self-discovery:

  • First, list five words that best describe you. Then, think about which five words you would like to describe yourself.
  • Complete this sentence: “My life would be incomplete without….”
  • Reflect on a phrase, quote, or mantra that resonates with you. Explain why it’s significant to you.
  • Make a list of the things in your life that you’re most grateful for.
  • Explain what you do best.
  • Reflect on the qualities that you value most in others.
  • Share three things that made you smile today.
  • List your best and worst habits.
  • Write down three life lessons you’ve learned.
  • Explain what love means to you.
  • Describe the values that are most important to you and consider whether your actions align with them.
  • Think about what you would do with your life if you had unlimited resources and explain why.
  • Describe what is stressing you out and how you’re coping with it.
  • Write about your biggest regret and what you would do differently in hindsight.
  • Identify and label the fears and insecurities that are holding you back right now.

Personal Growth Prompts

These are some journal prompts that can encourage personal growth:

  • What are three short-term goals you would like to achieve within the next three months?
  • What are three long-term goals you would like to achieve within the next five years?
  • Which skill would you like to cultivate in yourself?
  • Which qualities do you admire most in others that you would like to develop in yourself?
  • Which areas of your life would benefit from more self-discipline ?
  • What is your worst habit and how would you change it?
  • What’s something new you would like to try?
  • What habit do you want to add to your daily routine?
  • What would you like to contribute to your community?
  • What is the biggest challenge you’re dealing with right now?
  • What is the biggest failure you’ve ever faced and what have you learned from it?
  • How would you like to be remembered by others?
  • How can you better support your loved ones?
  • What boundaries would you like to set in your relationships to protect yourself?

Mindfulness Prompts

Mindfulness prompts can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, senses, and surroundings. Being more mindful can help you be more intentional and purposeful in the way you live your life.

These are some journal prompts that can support greater mindfulness:

  • Describe a meal you ate today. What colors, textures, tastes, and feelings did you experience?
  • Pick an everyday object from your surroundings, like a plant or a pencil. Write a detailed description of it as if you've never seen it before.
  • Focus on a sound in the background, such as the ticking of a clock or the rustling of the breeze. Describe the sound and its impact on you.
  • Close your eyes for a minute and pay attention to your breath. When you open your eyes, write down what it felt like.
  • Describe your ideal day from morning to night. What activities, people, and experiences would be part of it?
  • Reflect on your thoughts without judgment . Identify and describe any feelings you're experiencing in the present moment.
  • Write about a recent interaction with someone. What were their words, expressions, and gestures? How did you feel during the interaction?
  • Think back to a moment of happiness you experienced recently. Relive the sensations, thoughts, and emotions associated with it.
  • Think about the place where you feel most at peace. What makes it special to you?
  • Recall a time when you were worrying about something in the future. How did it affect your present moment and what would you have done differently?

Creativity Prompts

These are some journal prompts that can spark creativity :

  • Write a letter to your favorite fictional character, describing your life to them.
  • Make a list of questions you would like to ask a future version of yourself.
  • Think about your favorite word or phrase. Explain why you love it.
  • Choose a random object from your surroundings. What qualities do you have in common with it?
  • Make a list of ten unusual ways to use a common household item. Get creative and think outside the box.
  • Write a conversation between two inanimate objects, giving them personalities and voices.
  • Invent a gadget that would make your life more efficient or interesting.
  • Choose a word from a foreign language that doesn't have a direct English translation. Describe the last time you encountered or experienced it.
  • Imagine you get the chance to be any animal for a day. Which animal would you pick and what would you do?
  • Invent a new holiday and outline the traditions, celebrations, and rituals associated with it, based on your values.
  • If you have a time machine and you can go anywhere in the past or future, where would you go and what would you do there?

These are some strategies that can help you come up with your own journal prompts:

  • Decide your goals: First, consider what your goal of journaling is and then work backwards to find ways to achieve that goal, says Dr. Romanoff. For instance, she says gratitude , relationships, learning, self-growth, or creativity are goals that you might want to pursue.
  • Find prompts that align with your goals: Write down a few prompts that resonate with you and align with your current goals, interests, or areas of focus. You can add more or tweak them as you go along.
  • Mix and match different prompts: Feel free to mix and match prompts from different sources or create your own variations. Experiment with different types of prompts to keep your journaling practice engaging and varied.
  • Build on existing prompts: If a prompt leads you to new insights or questions, consider exploring those ideas in subsequent journal entries. You can use your initial response as a springboard for deeper exploration.

Journaling can be a form of self-care , a way to connect with yourself, or a creative exercise. 

If you enjoy journaling, having prompts can help guide your thoughts and focus your attention in a specific direction. Having a new journal prompt to work on every time you’re in the mood to journal can be exciting, comforting, and even a little scary. Just think of each prompt as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself.

Pena‐Silva RA, Velasco‐Castro JM, Matsingos C, Jaramillo‐Rincon SX. Journaling as an effective tool to promote metacognition and enhance study methods in a pharmacology course, during and after the pandemic . FASEB J . 2022;36(Suppl 1):10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840

Drigas AS, Papoutsi C. A new layered model on emotional intelligence . Behav Sci (Basel) . 2018;8(5):45. doi:10.3390/bs8050045

Crego A, Yela JR, Gómez-Martínez MÁ, Riesco-Matías P, Petisco-Rodríguez C. Relationships between mindfulness, purpose in life, happiness, anxiety, and depression: testing a mediation model in a sample of women . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2021;18(3):925. doi:10.3390/ijerph18030925

By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

550+ Journal Prompts: The Ultimate List

Discover over 500 journal prompts to jump-start your journal writing and explore personal growth, daily reflection, and goal-setting..

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  • February 22, 2023

Home » Day One Blog » 550+ Journal Prompts: The Ultimate List

Journal prompts can be a great way to jump-start your journal writing and explore new and interesting topics. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced journaler, having a go-to library of journal prompts can help you build a more regular journaling practice and stay inspired and motivated as you keep a journal.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of over 500 journal prompts to cover a wide range of topics and themes, from daily writing prompts to deeper questions that explore personal growth, foster self-reflection, creative expression, and even goal setting.

Whether you prefer to reflect on your daily life, set intentions for the future, or simply explore your thoughts and feelings in your journal, there’s something for everyone in this collection of journaling prompts. If you’re a beginner journaler looking for some guidance, or an experienced journaler seeking new inspiration, this list of journaling prompts is for you.

What are Journal Prompts?

Journal prompts are questions, suggestions, or ideas that can help inspire you to write in your personal journal .

For example, journaling prompts can be specific questions or statements that encourage you to reflect on a particular topic, theme, or aspect of your life. Journal prompts can also be general, and can be designed to help you explore a wide range of topics and experiences.

Journal prompts can be used in many different ways, and can be a valuable tool for beginners and experienced journalers alike. For beginners, prompts can help you get started with journaling, and can provide a starting point for your writing. For experienced journalers, prompts can help you explore new topics and experiences, and can provide a fresh perspective as you write a new journal entry .

Journal prompts are questions, suggestions, or ideas that can help inspire you to write in your journal. Journaling prompts can be specific questions or statements that encourage you to reflect on a particular topic, theme, or aspect of your life.

In a nutshell, using journaling prompts can help get the creative juices flowing and make it easier to come up with ideas for what to write about. Many people find that using prompts can help them explore new topics and gain new insights through their journaling practice. You can use prompts every day, or just when you need a little extra inspiration or motivation.

A scene of journaling at a sunlit desk with journal prompts, computer, and a cup of tea.

The Benefits of Using Journaling Prompts

Whether you’re looking to improve your mental health, boost your creativity, or just keep a record of your life, journal prompts can be a powerful tool for building a lasting journaling habit .

1. Inspiration

When it comes to keeping a journal, sometimes it’s hard to know what to write about. Journal prompts provide a needed spark of inspiration by asking a question or giving you a jumping-off point from which to write.

2. Structure

Journal prompts give you a starting point and a structure for your writing, which can be especially helpful if you’re new to journaling or if you struggle with writer’s block.

3. Consistency

When you have a set of prompts to work with, it becomes easier to write regularly, as you always have something to write about. This can help you establish a more consistent journaling habit.

4. Exploration

Journal prompts can encourage you to explore new topics, thoughts, and emotions that you may not have considered before. This can help you broaden your perspective and gain new insights into yourself and the world around you.

5. Creativity

Journal prompts that are more creative in nature can help you tap into your imagination and unleash your creative potential. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling stuck or uninspired.

6. Motivation

When you see the progress you’re making and the growth you’re experiencing through journaling, it can be incredibly motivating. Journal prompts can help you stay engaged and motivated in your writing by providing new and exciting challenges.

7. Accountability

By committing to writing regularly, you can hold yourself accountable to your journaling practice and ensure that you continue to make progress and grow.

8. Reflection

Journal prompts that are more reflective in nature can help you slow down and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can be a valuable tool for personal growth and self-discovery.

Using a ballpoint pen to write in a paper journal

Journal Prompt Examples

In this ultimate list of journal prompts, you’ll find hundreds of journal prompt examples that you can use and adopt into your journaling practice, including examples of journal prompts for beginners, examples of daily journal prompts, examples of evening journal prompts, and more.

These journal prompt examples are grouped into categories to make them a bit easier to navigate and help you find the prompts that best fit your journaling goals and preferences. Each category of journal prompt examples includes a variety of prompts designed to inspire self-reflection, creativity, personal growth, and mindfulness.

With this comprehensive list of journal prompts, you can cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself, your experiences, and the world around you through the powerful practice of journaling.

Typing a journal entry using prompts on a laptop

Beginner Journal Prompts

If you are a beginner journaler, here are some good journaling prompts to try. Simply copy and paste these journaling prompt examples into your journal. These prompts are just a starting point, and you can adjust them or come up with your own to fit your needs and interests.

  • What happened today?
  • What was the best thing that happened today?
  • What was the worst thing that happened today?
  • What was the most interesting thing I saw or heard today?
  • What was the most challenging thing I faced today?
  • What am I grateful for today?
  • What did I learn today?
  • What was the most fun thing I did today?
  • What was the most surprising thing that happened today?
  • What did I do today that I am proud of?

a woman sits at her laptop looking for brainstorming inspiration

Brainstorming Journal Prompts

Journal prompts can be a helpful tool for brainstorming because they provide a starting point and direction for your thinking. By using these prompts, you can unlock your creativity, explore new possibilities, and come up with innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities in your life. Remember to be open-minded, curious, and non-judgmental as you brainstorm, and to write down every idea that comes to mind, no matter how big or small.

  • What is the current problem or challenge I am facing?
  • What are my goals and objectives related to this problem or challenge?
  • What are some potential solutions to this problem or challenge?
  • What are some creative and unconventional solutions I can consider?
  • What are some pros and cons of each potential solution?
  • How can I collaborate with others to find a solution?
  • What are some resources I can utilize to help solve this problem or challenge?
  • How can I apply my skills, knowledge, and experience to this problem or challenge?
  • What are some potential roadblocks or challenges to implementing a solution, and how can I overcome them?
  • How can I prioritize and organize my thoughts and ideas to effectively solve this problem or challenge?

scene of answering body positivity journal prompts in a journal with a pen

Body Positivity Journal Prompts

Body positivity is about learning to love and accept your body exactly as it is, while also recognizing that your body is not your only source of worth or value. These prompts can help you explore and cultivate a more positive relationship with your body, but the journey towards self-love is ongoing and ever-evolving. Be patient, kind, and compassionate towards yourself, and remember that every step towards greater self-acceptance is a step in the right direction.

  • What do I love most about my body, and why?
  • What beliefs or messages about my body do I need to let go of in order to cultivate more self-love and acceptance?
  • What activities or practices help me feel connected to and in tune with my body?
  • How can I be more compassionate towards my body, especially when I’m feeling self-critical or negative?
  • What role does social media or the media in general play in shaping my body image, and how can I cultivate a more positive relationship with these sources of influence?
  • What would it feel like to let go of the need to compare my body to others, and instead focus on my own unique strengths and beauty?
  • What are some ways I can prioritize my physical health and well-being, without falling into the trap of diet culture or body shaming?
  • How can I shift my focus from appearance-based goals (e.g. weight loss, achieving a certain body shape) to more holistic measures of health and wellness (e.g. energy levels, mood, strength, etc.)?
  • What does it mean to truly embody self-love and body positivity, and how can I take small steps towards this every day?
  • How can I cultivate a sense of appreciation and love for my body, even if it doesn’t conform to societal ideals?
  • What are some ways I can celebrate and care for my body, regardless of its shape or size?

Creative Journal Prompts

By using these prompts, you can tap into your creativity and expand your skills and knowledge. Remember, creativity is not limited to art or music, but can also include problem-solving, critical thinking, and even communication. By keeping an open mind and a curious attitude, you can discover new ways to express yourself and connect with the world around you. So take a few minutes each day to journal and see where your creativity leads.

  • What does creativity mean to me?
  • How do I get to use my creativity on a daily basis?
  • What is one thing that I have always wanted to create, and what steps can I take to make it a reality?
  • What is one place or environment that inspires my creativity, and how can I create more opportunities to be in that space?
  • What are my passions and interests, and how can I incorporate them into my work or personal life?
  • What is one small creative project that I can do today, and how can I make it unique to my personal style?
  • What is one fear or obstacle that is holding me back creatively, and what can I do to overcome it?
  • What is one thing that I can learn or experiment with in order to expand my creative skills and knowledge?
  • What is one challenge or prompt that I can give myself to push myself creatively?
  • What is one way I can creatively express gratitude, love, or appreciation for someone in my life?
  • How can I challenge myself to think outside of the box and embrace new and creative ideas?
  • How can I surround myself with people and environments that foster creativity and inspiration?
  • What are some ways I can take time for myself and recharge my batteries to cultivate creativity and inspiration?
  • What are some hobbies or activities I can pursue to tap into my creativity and imagination?
  • How can I incorporate more play and fun into my life to foster creativity and inspiration?
  • What are some ways I can break out of my comfort zone and try new things to stimulate creativity and inspiration?
  • How can I be more open-minded and receptive to new ideas and perspectives?
  • What are some ways I can use technology and innovation to enhance my creativity and inspiration?
  • How can I seek out new experiences and adventures to expand my horizons and inspire my creativity?
  • How can I create a supportive and nurturing environment for my mind, body, and soul to encourage creativity and inspiration?

A person sits on a sofa with headphones, a notebook, and a computer to answer creative writing prompts

Creative Writing Prompts

Your journal can be a great place to explore creative writing projects like short stories, poetry, song lyrics, memoirs, or novels. Some people find it helpful to use their journal to record thoughts and ideas, which can then be used as inspiration for future writing projects. Others writers use their journal as a place to practice writing exercises or to experiment with different writing styles. By giving yourself a private place to explore ideas, create first drafts, and catalog your progress, your imagination can roam free.

  • Write a story from the perspective of an inanimate object that has come to life.
  • Write a poem about a childhood memory that has stayed with you.
  • Write about a character who wakes up one day with a superpower.
  • Write a poem about the changing of the seasons and the beauty of nature.
  • Write a story that begins with the sentence “The door creaked open, revealing a long-forgotten room.”
  • Write a story about a group of people who are stranded on a deserted island.
  • Write a poem that explores the concept of time and how it shapes our lives.
  • Write a story from the perspective of a character who has lost their memory and is trying to piece together their past.
  • Write a poem that reflects on the beauty of everyday moments.
  • Write a story about a time traveler who accidentally gets stuck in the wrong time period.
  • Write about a relationship that taught you an important lesson about yourself or the world around you.
  • Write a story about a character who discovers a mysterious book with a hidden message.
  • Write a poem that uses the theme of water to convey a deeper meaning or emotion.
  • Write about a place that has had a significant impact on your life, and what memories or emotions it brings up for you.
  • Write a story about a character who is forced to confront their deepest fear.
  • Write a poem that explores the idea of home and what it means to you.
  • Write a story from the perspective of an animal who is trying to survive in the wilderness.
  • Write about an experience that taught you a valuable lesson about forgiveness or acceptance.
  • Write a story about a character who receives a letter from a long-lost relative with a surprising revelation.

Daily Journal Prompts

Daily journal prompts are prompts you may want to ask yourself on a daily basis. By using these journal prompts on a daily basis, you can cultivate a greater sense of mindfulness, gratitude, self-awareness , and intentionality in your life. Whether you use these prompts in the morning to set your intentions for the day, or in the evening to reflect on your experiences, they can help you stay focused, motivated, and aligned with your values and goals.

  • How am I feeling today?
  • How does my body feel today?
  • What am I nervous or anxious about today?
  • What actions can I take on each of the things that make me nervous or anxious?
  • What are my top priorities for the day?
  • What’s something I can do to make today amazing?
  • What did I learn today? How can I apply this knowledge in the future?
  • What challenges did I face today? How did I overcome them? What can I learn from these experiences?
  • What did I do today that brought me joy or fulfillment? How can I incorporate more of these activities into my daily routine?
  • What was a moment of joy, delight, or contentment today?
  • What was a small detail I noticed today?
  • What was the weather like today?
  • What am I thankful for today?
  • What could I have done differently today?
  • How can I make tomorrow even better?

Decision-Making Journal Prompts

Decision-making can be challenging and anxiety-inducing, but journaling can be a helpful tool to clarify your thoughts, fears, hopes, and priorities. By reflecting on these decision-making prompts, you can gain greater clarity and insight into your decision-making process, and ultimately make choices that feel more aligned with your true self and values.

  • What is the decision I need to make?
  • When do I need to make this decision?
  • What is the desired outcome I hope to achieve?
  • What are the pros and cons of each option?
  • What are my fears or concerns about making this decision?
  • What insights or lessons have I gained from similar decisions I’ve made in the past?
  • How do these lessons or insights apply to this situation?
  • What advice would I give to a friend in this same situation?
  • What is my instinct or intuition telling me about this decision?
  • What impact will this decision have on myself and others?
  • How does this decision align with my values?
  • What resources or support do I need to make this decision with confidence and clarity?
  • What is the worst-case scenario if I make this decision?
  • What facts do I have to support my decision?
  • How do I feel about my decision?
  • How confident am I feeling about this decision?
  • What are my next steps for this decision?

Dream Journal Prompts

The goal of keeping a dream journal is not to interpret your dreams as right or wrong, but rather to understand what they may be trying to tell you on a deeper level. By exploring your dreams in this way, you can gain valuable insights into your subconscious mind and find new ways to approach the challenges and opportunities in your waking life. Here are a few examples of dream journal prompts:

  • What was the most memorable dream I had last night? Write down as many details as you can remember.
  • What recurring themes or symbols appear in my dreams? Are there any patterns I can identify?
  • What emotions did I feel in my dream, and do they relate to any current issues in my waking life?
  • What do I think my dream is trying to tell me? How can I apply its message to my life?
  • If I could have any dream I wanted tonight, what would it be about?
  • If I could ask a dream character any question, who would I choose, and what would I ask them?
  • What are some of the most bizarre or surreal dreams I’ve ever had? What do I think they mean?
  • What is the most common type of dream I have (like nightmares, flying dreams, etc.)? What do I think it says about my psyche?

Evening Journal Prompts

By using these evening journal prompts, you can reflect on your experiences, cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, and identify opportunities for growth and learning. Reflection is an important part of the learning and growth process, and taking a few minutes each evening to reflect on your day can help you gain greater insights into your life, your goals, and your values. So make journaling a daily habit, and see how it can help you live your best life.

  • What are three things that went well today, and why?
  • What were the highlights of my day?
  • What are three things that I could have done differently today, and how can I learn from these experiences?
  • How did I show gratitude today?
  • What were some challenges I faced today and how did I overcome them?
  • What did I do to take care of myself today?
  • What did I do to help others today?
  • How did I prioritize my time today?
  • What did I do to bring positivity into my day?
  • What did I do today that made me proud of myself?
  • What were the most important events of the day?
  • How did I feel at different moments throughout the day?
  • What were some unexpected events that took place today?
  • Who did I interact with today and what were those interactions like?
  • What did I accomplish today?
  • What are some things I would like to do differently tomorrow?
  • What did I do to relax and recharge today?
  • What were some of the sights, sounds, and smells I experienced today?
  • How did I handle any difficult situations that arose today?
  • What are some things I am looking forward to tomorrow?
  • What emotions did I experience today?
  • How did I respond to each emotion? What triggered each emotion?
  • What did I do to make a positive impact on someone else’s day?
  • What am I looking forward to tomorrow?
  • What can I do to prepare for a peaceful night’s sleep?
  • What was the most significant event of my day and why was it important?
  • How did I handle any conflicts or difficult situations today?
  • What did I learn about myself today?
  • What are some things I can do differently tomorrow to have an even better day?
  • Who made a positive impact on my day and how?
  • What did I do to make someone else’s day better?
  • What are some things I want to remember about today?

Fun Journal Prompts

Journaling can also be a fun and creative outlet. Use these fun journal prompts to explore your playful side or to even have a laugh.

  • What is something silly that always makes me laugh?
  • What is a favorite childhood memory that still brings me joy?
  • If I could live in any time period or place, where would I choose and why?
  • What is my favorite meal or type of food, and why do I love it so much?
  • If I could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  • What is a book or movie that always puts me in a good mood, and why?
  • What is something I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet? How might I make that happen?
  • What is one thing I can’t live without?
  • What is one funny story about my life that I don’t mind sharing with other people?
  • What is something about myself that I know is quirky?
  • If I could be any fictional character, who would I choose and why?
  • What is the most outrageous outfit or costume I’ve ever worn? Where did I wear it, and how did I feel?
  • What is my favorite silly joke or pun, and why does it make me laugh?
  • What is the best gift I have ever given, and why was it so special?
  • If I were a superhero, what would be my name, powers, and costume?
  • What is the funniest prank I have ever played on someone, or that someone has played on me?
  • If I could magically switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
  • What is my favorite childhood toy or game, and why did I love it so much?
  • What is my favorite dance move, and can I teach it to someone else (or describe it in words)?
  • If I could travel anywhere in the world (or beyond), where would I go and what would I do there?

Goal-Setting Journal Prompts

The process of journaling goals can help you to clarify your goals, create a plan of action, and hold yourself accountable for making progress towards them. Use them to reflect on your priorities and values, identify potential obstacles, and develop a plan for success. By setting clear goals and taking concrete steps towards achieving them, you can create a sense of purpose and motivation in your daily life.

  • What are my top three goals for the next year?
  • What are some actionable steps I can take to achieve my goals?
  • What is one new habit I would like to develop in the next month?
  • How can I create a plan to make this new habit a consistent part of my routine?
  • What are three skills or areas of knowledge I would like to develop in the next year?
  • What resources or support can I seek out to help me achieve my goals?
  • What are three things that are holding me back from achieving my goals?
  • How can I work to overcome these obstacles?
  • What are three small, measurable goals I can set for myself this week?
  • How will I hold myself accountable for following through on my goals?
  • What are my long-term career goals? What are some concrete steps I can take to move closer to achieving them?
  • What are my personal values and how do they relate to my goals?
  • How can I ensure that my goals are aligned with my values?
  • What are some potential roadblocks or challenges that I may encounter as I work towards my goals?
  • How can I develop a plan to overcome roadblocks or challenges to my goals?
  • How can I track my progress towards my goals?
  • What tools or systems can I use to stay motivated and on track?
  • What are three small, specific goals I can set for myself each day?
  • How can I ensure that my daily actions align with my larger goals and priorities?
  • What habits do I need in order to achieve my goals?

Gratitude Journal Prompts

By using these gratitude journaling prompts , you can shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have, and cultivate a greater sense of appreciation and contentment in your life. Keeping a gratitude journal has been shown to have numerous benefits for our well-being, from increased happiness and positive emotions to better physical health and improved relationships. So take a few minutes each day to reflect on the good things in your life, and see how it can transform your perspective and your life.

  • What are three things I am grateful for today?
  • Who are three people in my life that I am grateful for, and why?
  • What are three small things that happened today that I am grateful for?
  • What is one thing that I often take for granted in my life, and how can I cultivate more appreciation and gratitude for it?
  • What are some positive qualities or strengths that I possess, and how can I be grateful for them?
  • What is something in my life that I feel “lucky” to have? 
  • What is a simple delight I have been enjoying lately? 
  • What is something I am grateful to have learned recently?
  • In what ways have I grown as a person over the last year?
  • What do I like about where I live right now? 
  • What were some moments of joy today?
  • How does expressing gratitude make me feel right now? 
  • How can I show my gratitude today?
  • What are some ways I can express gratitude and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around me?

Growth Mindset Journal Prompts

The key to cultivating a growth mindset is to approach challenges and setbacks with a curious and open-minded attitude, and to view them as opportunities for learning and growth. By practicing these growth mindset journal prompts, you can begin to develop a more resilient, adaptable, and growth-oriented mindset that can help you achieve your goals and pursue your dreams with confidence and courage.

  • What are some areas of my life where I tend to have a fixed mindset?
  • How can I shift my thinking to adopt a growth mindset instead?
  • What are some goals that I’ve been afraid to pursue due to fear of failure or rejection?
  • How can I reframe my mindset to view failure as a natural part of the learning process, and use it as an opportunity for growth?
  • What are some of my limiting beliefs and self-talk that may be holding me back?
  • How can I challenge and overcome them?
  • How can I embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and development, rather than viewing them as setbacks?
  • How can I cultivate a positive and optimistic attitude, even in the face of adversity and difficulty?
  • What are some ways I can seek out feedback and constructive criticism to continue growing and improving?
  • How can I strive for progress, rather than perfection, in my personal and professional life?
  • What are some of my strengths and areas for growth, and how can I use this knowledge to drive personal development and growth?
  • How can I seek out new experiences, opportunities, and relationships to broaden my horizons and support personal growth?
  • How can I foster resilience and perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges to continue growing and developing?
  • How can I take responsibility for my thoughts, feelings, and actions, and use them as opportunities for growth and development?
  • How can I view mistakes and failures as learning opportunities, rather than setbacks or obstacles?
  • What are some new skills or knowledge areas that I want to develop?
  • How can I cultivate a curious and open-minded attitude, and seek out new information and knowledge to support growth and development?
  • What are some ways I can adopt a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to challenges and difficulties?

Inner Child Journal Prompts

Connecting with your inner child can be a powerful way to heal past wounds, reconnect with your joy and playfulness, and rediscover your authentic self. Use these journal prompts to explore your own childhood experiences and find ways to nurture and care for your inner child today.

  • What memories do I have from my childhood? Are there any happy memories that stand out?
  • What was my favorite activity as a child? Did I have any hobbies or interests that I loved?
  • How did I spend my free time as a child? What games did I play? What books did I read?
  • What did I enjoy most about school? Did I have a favorite subject or teacher?
  • Did I have any dreams or aspirations as a child? What did I want to be when I grew up?
  • What were some of the challenges or struggles I faced as a child? How did those experiences shape me?
  • How did my family and upbringing impact my childhood experiences? What positive or negative influences did I have?
  • What beliefs or attitudes did I develop as a child that may still be impacting me today?
  • How can I nurture and care for my inner child now? What activities or experiences bring me joy and playfulness?
  • What can I learn from my inner child? How can I tap into the curiosity, creativity, and resilience that I had as a child?
  • What activities or experiences brought me joy as a child?
  • How can I incorporate these activities into my life now?
  • How can I nurture my inner child and cultivate a sense of playfulness and wonder?

Inspiring Journal Prompts

By using these inspiring journal prompts, you can tap into your creativity, cultivate a greater sense of inspiration, and explore new ideas and possibilities. Inspiration can come from many different sources, and by keeping an open mind and a curious attitude, you can discover new insights and perspectives that can help you live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. So take a few minutes each day to journal, and see where your imagination takes you.

  • When was the last time I felt inspired?
  • Where do I usually find inspiration?
  • What things inspire me?
  • Who is someone that inspires me, and what qualities do they possess that I admire?
  • What is one book or movie that has inspired me, and why?
  • What are some of my favorite forms of art, literature, or media, and how can they inspire me?
  • What is one quote or saying that inspires me, and how can I apply its wisdom to my life?
  • What is one creative project that I have been wanting to work on, and what steps can I take to get started?
  • When was the last time I felt completely in awe of something, and what was it that inspired that feeling?
  • What is one thing that I have always wanted to learn, and how can I make time to pursue this interest?
  • What is one small thing that I can do each day to cultivate a greater sense of inspiration and creativity in my life?

Intention-Setting Journal Prompts

Setting intentions is all about clarifying your goals and priorities, and creating a plan to work towards them. These journal prompts can help you get started on that process, but ultimately the most important thing is to take action towards your goals, and adjust your intentions as needed based on what’s working (and what’s not).

  • What do I want to focus on this month/week/day?
  • What are my intentions for the day?
  • What is my biggest “why” (the deeper purpose or motivation behind my intentions)?
  • How can I use my “why” to stay focused and committed?
  • How can I prioritize my time and energy accordingly?
  • What are some external factors that could impact my ability to focus on my intentions, and how can I plan ahead to address them?
  • What are some distractions or time-wasters that I need to eliminate in order to focus on what’s truly important?

Introspective Journal Prompts

Introspection is the process of looking inward and examining your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It involves self-reflection and self-awareness, and can help you better understand yourself and your experiences. Here are some introspective journal prompts:

  • What brings me the most joy and fulfillment, and how can I make time for those things in my life?
  • What does happiness mean to me? What can I do to cultivate more happiness and contentment in my life?
  • What decisions am I facing right now?
  • How do I define success? What steps can I take to achieve it?
  • What are my fears and insecurities? How can I work through them to become more confident and self-assured?
  • What are the most important relationships in my life? How can I strengthen them?
  • In general, how do I feel about how my life is going right now?
  • What are some areas of my life where I am currently stuck or feeling stagnant? What steps can I take to move forward and make progress in those areas?
  • What themes, patterns, or symbols have I noticed in my life lately?
  • What are some beliefs or assumptions that I hold about myself or the world around me?
  • When I am faced with challenges or obstacles, what is my usual response?
  • What are some activities or habits that drain my energy or motivation?
  • How do I usually handle my emotions and feelings? Are there any emotions that I tend to avoid or suppress?
  • What are some of the things that I am most grateful for in my life? How can I cultivate more gratitude and appreciation?

Journal Prompts for Dealing with Grief and Loss

Dealing with grief and loss can be a difficult and painful process, and journaling can be a powerful tool for processing and expressing your emotions. By taking the time to reflect on your emotions and explore ways to process them, you can find a path forward that works for you. Here are some journal prompts to help you work through the process of journaling grief :

  • What are my fondest memories of the person I have lost?
  • What are the things I wish I could have said or done with the person before they passed away?
  • What is the hardest thing about dealing with the loss?
  • How can I find ways to cope with my grief?
  • How has this loss impacted my daily routine?
  • What are the things I have learned about myself or about life in general as a result of this loss?
  • What are some positive steps I can take to honor the memory of the person I have lost?
  • How can I find support and comfort during this difficult time?
  • Who are the people in my life who I can turn to for care and support as I navigate through my grief?
  • What are some healthy ways I can process my grief, such as through exercise, meditation, or creative outlets like art or music?

Journal Prompts for Difficult Times

Journaling can be a powerful tool for processing difficult emotions and finding clarity during challenging times. Don’t be afraid to explore your feelings and seek support when you need it.

  • What’s going on that makes this time so difficult?
  • What is causing my distress?
  • Who can I turn to for support?
  • How have I coped with difficult times in the past?
  • What are some things I am thankful for, even in challenging circumstances?
  • How can I cultivate a sense of appreciation and optimism in the face of adversity?
  • What self-care practices have helped me in the past?
  • What can I learn from this experience? What lessons might I learn?
  • How can I reframe the situation?
  • What actions can I take to improve the situation?
  • What positive things do I have in my life right now?
  • What can I do to take care of myself right now?

Journal Prompts for Exploring Your Identity

Identity is a highly personal and subjective concept that is shaped by a variety of factors unique to each individual. Here are some journal prompts for exploring your identity:

  • What are my personal values and beliefs? How do they shape my identity?
  • What are some of the roles that I take on in my life? How do these roles contribute to my sense of identity?
  • How do I define myself in terms of my relationships with others? How do these relationships shape my sense of self?
  • What do I know about my cultural or ethnic background? How does my cultural or ethnic background shape my identity?
  • What are some of the strengths, talents, or unique qualities that I possess? How do they contribute to my sense of self?
  • How does my physical appearance shape my sense of identity?
  • What life experiences have shaped who I am today?
  • What are some of the fears or doubts that I have about my identity? How can I address these fears or doubts in a healthy way?
  • How do I balance my need for individuality with my need for a sense of community or belonging?
  • What are some of the things that I want to achieve or accomplish in life? How do these goals contribute to my sense of identity?

Journal Prompts for Exploring Your Memories

Exploring memories can be a powerful tool for personal growth and reflection. Our memories shape who we are and how we perceive the world around us, and taking the time to reflect on them can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our experiences.

In this section, we’ve compiled a list of journal prompts to help you explore your memories and tap into your innermost thoughts and emotions. Whether you’re looking to process a difficult experience or simply reflect on a happy moment, these journal prompts for exploring your memorcan help you unlock new insights and perspectives.

  • What is one of my earliest childhood memories?
  • What emotions does this memory evoke?
  • What is a happy memory from my childhood? What made it so special?
  • What is a difficult memory from my past? How has this memory shaped me as a person?
  • Who were some of my closest friends growing up? What impact did they have on my life?
  • Who were some of my role models or mentors growing up? What impact did they have on my life?
  • What were some of my favorite hobbies or activities growing up? Do I still enjoy them today?
  • What were some of the major milestones or accomplishments I achieved in my life? How did they make me feel?
  • What were some of the most challenging or transformative experiences I’ve had in my life? How have they shaped my perspective or values?
  • What were some of the biggest surprises or unexpected turns my life has taken? How have I coped with these changes?
  • What were some of the people or experiences that have brought me the most joy or meaning in my life? How can I cultivate more of these positive influences in my present?

Journal Prompts for Exploring Your Passions and Hobbies

Exploring your passions and hobbies can be a great way to gain insight into what you truly enjoy and what makes you feel fulfilled. Here are some journal prompts to help you explore your passions and hobbies:

  • What are my favorite hobbies or activities?
  • How do my favorite hobbies or activities make me feel?
  • If I had all the time and resources I needed, what activities or hobbies would I pursue?
  • What is it about my favorite hobby that I enjoy the most? How can I incorporate more of that into my life?
  • Who do I know that shares my passion or hobby, and how can we collaborate or support each other?
  • What skills do I possess that could be applied to a new hobby or activity?
  • What is something I have always wanted to try but haven’t yet, and what is holding me back?
  • If I could turn my passion or hobby into a career or side business, what steps could I take to make it happen?

Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear

Facing fear is a process. Use these prompts to help you identify and understand your fear, and then take small steps to face it. Celebrate your progress and be gentle with yourself along the way.

  • What am I afraid of?
  • What is the source of my fear? Where does it come from?
  • How does my fear affect my life? In what ways does it hold me back?
  • What would my life be like without this fear? What would I be able to accomplish or experience?
  • How can I reframe my fear? Is there a way to look at the situation or issue differently?
  • What steps can I take to face my fear? What action can I take to move through it?
  • Who can I turn to for support? Who can help me face my fear?
  • What have I learned from past experiences of facing fear? What worked well, and what didn’t work?
  • How can I use my fear as motivation? Can I turn my fear into a positive force that drives me forward?
  • What is the worst that can happen if I face my fear? What is the best that can happen?
  • What are some fears or limiting beliefs that are holding me back?
  • How can I work to overcome them?
  • What resources or support can I seek out to help me overcome my fears?

Journal Prompts to Explore Emotions

Journal prompts can be a great way to explore and process emotions. Here are some examples of journal prompts for journaling about feelings :

  • What emotion am I feeling right now? Write down any emotions that come to mind, no matter how big or small they may seem.
  • Where do I feel this emotion in my body? What are the physical sensations I experience when I feel this emotion? Does it manifest in a certain part of my body or in a specific way?
  • What triggered this emotion? Was it a thought, a memory, or something someone said or did?
  • How am I responding to this emotion?
  • When was the last time I felt this way?
  • What emotions do I feel most often?
  • What emotions do I avoid feeling?
  • How did my emotions affect my thoughts and behavior today?
  • How can I express this emotion in a healthy way?
  • What can I learn from this emotion? Consider how this emotion can teach you something about yourself, your values, or your needs.
  • What were some moments of stress or frustration today?
  • What were some moments of peace or calm today?
  • How did I handle negative emotions today?
  • How can I better cope with difficult emotions in the future?
  • What are some ways I can promote positivity and happiness in my life?
  • How can I support myself through this emotion? Write down self-care strategies that can help you feel more grounded and centered when experiencing this emotion.

Mindfulness Journal Prompts

Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment or distraction. It can help you to reduce stress, improve relationships, and find greater peace and contentment in your life. Use these prompts as a starting point for reflection and practice, and allow yourself to explore your inner world with curiosity and compassion.

  • What is happening in this present moment?
  • What are five things I can see right now, and what colors, shapes, and textures do they have?
  • If my mind was like the ocean right now, what is the water like?
  • What thoughts am I observing right now?
  • What sensory information am I getting in this present moment?
  • What are three things I can hear right now, and how do they sound?
  • What are three things I can feel physically right now, such as the weight of my body on a chair or the texture of my clothing?
  • What are three things I can smell right now, and how do they smell?
  • What are three things I can taste right now, and how do they taste?
  • What emotions am I feeling right now, and how can I practice acceptance and self-compassion towards them?
  • What thoughts are running through my mind right now, and how can I acknowledge them without getting caught up in them?
  • What are three things I am looking forward to in the next hour, and how can I stay present and open to experiencing them fully?
  • What are three things that are worrying me right now, and how can I practice mindfulness to reduce my stress and anxiety?
  • What are three small actions I can take right now to bring myself into the present moment, such as taking a deep breath, stretching, or savoring a sip of tea or coffee?

Morning Journal Prompts

By starting your day with these morning journal prompts, you can set a positive tone for the day ahead, clarify your goals and priorities, and cultivate a more intentional and mindful approach to your daily activities. Remember, the key to success is not just what you do, but how you approach it – and these prompts can help you cultivate the mindset and habits that can help you achieve your goals and live your best life.

  • What’s on my mind this morning?
  • What am I looking forward to today?
  • What do I need to do today?
  • What are my goals for today?
  • What are some ways I can be productive today?
  • What can I do today to take care of my physical and mental health?
  • What are some challenges I might face today and how can I prepare for them?
  • How can I prioritize self-care today?
  • Who can I reach out to for support today?
  • What is one thing I can do today to help someone else?
  • How can I bring positivity into my day today?
  • What positive affirmations can I tell myself to start my day on a positive note?
  • What mindset or attitude do I want to cultivate today? How can I remind myself of this throughout the day?
  • What makes me glad to be alive today?

New Year Journal Prompts

By using these New Year journal prompts , you can reflect on the past year, set goals and intentions for the year ahead, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and personal growth. Remember, the New Year is an opportunity for a fresh start, and by taking the time to reflect and plan, you can create a fulfilling and meaningful year ahead.

  • What am I most grateful for at the beginning of this new year?
  • What lessons did the previous year teach me?
  • What are three things I accomplished last year?
  • What values will guide my choices this year?
  • What would I like to savor or enjoy more often this year?
  • What are three goals I hope to accomplish this year?
  • What new skill would I like to learn or improve this year?
  • What relationships are most important to me? How can I continue to invest in these relationships this year?
  • What problems would I like to solve this year?
  • How would I like to grow or develop as a person this year?
  • What is one habit I would like to build this year?
  • What is something I want to do for others in the coming year?
  • What is something I want to do for myself in the coming year?
  • How can I prioritize my health and/or fitness this year?
  • What new experiences do I want to try this year?
  • What new place would I like to visit this year?
  • What new creative project or hobby would I like to start this year?
  • What fear do I want to overcome this year?
  • How can I show more gratitude this year?
  • How can I rest or relax more often this year?
  • What am I looking forward to in the coming year?
  • What word or phrase would I like to give this year?
  • What is my biggest dream for the year ahead?

Personal Growth Journal Prompts

These journal prompts can help you identify areas of your life where you want to grow and improve. Remember that personal growth is a lifelong journey, and progress often happens in small, incremental steps. Use these prompts to reflect on your current situation and make concrete plans for positive change in your life.

  • What are three qualities I want to embody in my daily life?
  • What are my biggest fears and how can I overcome them?
  • What are some limiting beliefs that hold me back, and how can I challenge them?
  • What are some habits I want to cultivate or break, and how can I make progress towards those goals?
  • What are some past mistakes or failures that have taught me valuable lessons, and how can I apply those lessons to my current life?
  • How can I set and work towards achievable, yet challenging, goals to drive personal growth and development?
  • How can I be more proactive and intentional about seeking out growth opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come to me?
  • How can I balance taking risks and stepping outside of my comfort zone with taking care of myself and my well-being?
  • How can I develop a growth mindset in areas that are difficult for me, such as public speaking or self-promotion?
  • How can I seek out and embrace constructive criticism and feedback, and use it as an opportunity for growth and development?
  • How can I cultivate a supportive and encouraging environment for personal growth and development, both within myself and in my relationships with others?
  • What are some ways I can contribute to my community or the world around me?

Relationship Journal Prompts

Use these prompts to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in your relationships and find ways to improve your connections with loved ones.

  • How do I communicate my needs and boundaries in my relationships?
  • What are some ways I can deepen my connections with loved ones?
  • What are my values and priorities when it comes to relationships?
  • How do these values influence my actions and choices?
  • How do I respond to conflict in my relationships?
  • What communication patterns do I notice when things get difficult?
  • What are some ways I can show appreciation and gratitude for the people in my life?
  • How do I express love and affection?
  • What are some challenges I face in my relationships? How can I work on improving these challenges?
  • How do I handle disagreements or differences in opinion with my loved ones? What are some healthy ways to approach these situations?
  • What are my relationship goals?
  • What do I want to achieve in my current relationships or in future relationships?
  • What are some areas where I need to work on boundaries in my relationships? How can I create healthier boundaries?
  • How do I balance my needs with the needs of my partner or loved ones? What are some ways to ensure both parties feel heard and respected?
  • How do I manage stress and emotions in my relationships?
  • What are some techniques for managing anxiety or other difficult emotions in relationships?
  • What is my love language? How do I communicate love and affection to my partner or loved ones?

Self-Care Journal Prompts

Self-care journal prompts are prompts or questions that encourage reflection and exploration of self-care practices and activities in your self-care journal . They are designed to help you better understand your needs, feelings, and emotions, and to identify areas in your life where you may need more self-care.

  • How do I define self care?
  • What role does self-care play in my mental, physical, and emotional health?
  • What are my favorite forms of self care?
  • What are some ways I can prioritize my physical health and well-being to care for myself?
  • What forms of exercise do I enjoy?
  • What activities help me feel calm and centered?
  • How am I incorporating healthy eating into my daily life?
  • How am I helping myself get enough sleep?
  • What are some activities or hobbies that bring me joy and relaxation? How can I make time for these in my life?
  • How can I better manage and reduce stress and anxiety?
  • How am I exploring mindfulness practices or meditation?
  • How do I seek support from others?
  • How can I prioritize self-care during difficult or challenging times, and avoid neglecting my own needs?
  • How can I set boundaries with others to make sure I have time and energy for self-care?
  • How can I seek out and connect with supportive and positive relationships that uplift and empower me?
  • How can I recognize and address toxic or unhealthy patterns or behaviors, and work towards making positive changes for my well-being?
  • How can I cultivate self-compassion and self-forgiveness, and avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk?
  • How can I prioritize self-care when I am feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, and take steps to prevent burnout in the future?
  • When was the last time I took a break or gave myself some time off? How did it feel?

Self-Discovery Journal Prompts

Journaling prompts for self-discovery can provide new pathways for self-discovery and insights. Remember, the key to self-discovery is to approach these prompts with an open mind and heart, and to give yourself permission to explore and discover new things about yourself.

  • What are my core values? Take some time to reflect on the values that are most important to you in life, and why they matter to you.
  • When do I feel most alive? Reflect on the moments, experiences, and activities that make you feel fully present, engaged, and energized.
  • What gives my life meaning or purpose? Consider the activities, relationships, causes, and values that are most important to you.
  • What are my strengths and weaknesses? Consider the things you’re good at and the areas where you struggle.
  • How can I leverage my strengths and work on my weaknesses? Consider ways you can utilize your skills, knowledge, or talent in new ways or find ways for improvement.
  • What are my goals and aspirations? Write down your short-term and long-term goals, and what steps you need to take to achieve them.
  • What are my passions and interests? Think about the activities, topics, and causes that inspire and motivate you. How can you incorporate more of these things into your life?
  • What are my fears and limiting beliefs? Explore the fears and beliefs that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential. How can you challenge and overcome them?
  • What does my ideal life look like? Envision the life you want to create for yourself, and what steps you need to take to make it a reality.
  • What have been the most defining moments of my life? Reflect on the experiences that have shaped who you are today, and what you’ve learned from them.
  • What activities bring me the most joy and fulfillment?
  • What impact do I hope to make in the world? Reflect on how you can align your daily actions with your deeper sense of purpose.
  • How have my interests changed over time? Take a trip down memory lane and reflect on the activities that you used to enjoy, as well as the ones that you currently enjoy.
  • What are some of my most memorable and meaningful experiences? How can they inspire me moving forward?
  • How can I embrace change and new opportunities in my life?

Self-Confidence Journal Prompts

Journal prompts for self-confidence are designed to help you explore and develop your sense of self-assurance, belief in your abilities, and positive self-image. Here are some examples:

  • What are some things that make me feel confident?
  • How have I overcome challenges in the past, and what did I learn from those experiences?
  • What is one thing I can do today to step outside of my comfort zone and build my confidence?
  • What are some negative self-talk patterns that I engage in, and how can I reframe those thoughts in a more positive way?
  • What are my strengths and how can I utilize them to achieve my goals?
  • What are some compliments that others have given me in the past, and how can I internalize those positive messages?
  • How can I take care of myself and practice self-compassion in moments when I feel uncertain or doubtful?
  • What would I say to a friend who is struggling with self-confidence, and how can I apply that advice to my own life?
  • How can I embrace my unique qualities and use them to my advantage?
  • What is one step I can take today to work towards a goal that will build my self-confidence?

Self-Esteem Journal Prompts

Self-esteem journal prompts are writing prompts designed to help you explore your beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about yourself, and to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Here are some examples:

  • What are my unique qualities and strengths, and how can I embrace and celebrate them more fully?
  • What are three things I accomplished this week that I am proud of?
  • How can I be kinder to myself today?
  • What are my unique strengths and how have they helped me in the past?
  • What is one negative thought I have about myself that I can challenge with a positive thought?
  • What can I do to take care of myself physically and emotionally today?
  • What are three things I love about myself?
  • How have I grown and changed as a person in the past year?
  • What is a positive affirmation I can repeat to myself throughout the day?
  • What is one small step I can take today to work towards a personal goal or dream?

Self-Reflection Journal Prompts

Self-reflection is the process of examining your own thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. It involves taking a step back from your daily life and reflecting on your experiences, values, beliefs, and goals. Self-reflection can help you to become more self-aware, to identify areas where you want to grow and improve, and to make more intentional choices in your life.

  • What are some values that are important to me, and how do they guide my decisions and actions?
  • What are some experiences from my past that have shaped who I am today, and how have they influenced my beliefs and attitudes?
  • What are some things that bring me joy and fulfillment, and how can I incorporate more of them into my life?
  • What are some patterns of behavior or thought that hold me back, and how can I work to break those patterns?
  • What are some goals or aspirations I have for my life, and what steps can I take to work towards them?
  • What are some fears or insecurities that hold me back, and how can I work to overcome them?
  • What are some relationships that are important to me, and how can I nurture and strengthen those relationships?
  • What are some mistakes or failures from my past that have taught me valuable lessons, and how can I apply those lessons to my current life?
  • What are some self-care practices that are important to me, and how can I make them a regular part of my routine?
  • What are some things that I am grateful for in my life, and how can I cultivate more gratitude on a daily basis?

Shadow Work Journal Prompts

Shadow work journaling is a process of exploring and integrating the repressed, hidden, or darker aspects of oneself. Journaling can be an effective way to facilitate this journey.

  • What triggered negative feelings today?
  • How do I think others perceive me?
  • What have others communicated to me about myself?
  • How do I respond to compliments?
  • When do I feel valued and loved?
  • What challenges did I face as a child?
  • What are my best and worst traits?
  • What do I need to forgive myself for?
  • What do I judge others for, and why?
  • Do I feel guilt or shame for anything?
  • How do I support others, and do I show myself that same love?
  • What do I consider to be healthy boundaries?
  • When do I feel the need to lie, and what is the worst lie I’ve told?
  • What parts of myself do I hide?

Spirituality Journal Prompts

Spirituality is a personal and individual journey. Use these journal prompts for spirituality to explore your own beliefs and practices, and create a deeper connection with your spirituality.

  • What does spirituality mean to me?
  • What role does spirituality play in my daily life?
  • What spiritual books, teachings, or leaders have influenced me? What have I learned from these sources?
  • How can I integrate my spiritual beliefs and practices into my routines?
  • How do I define my beliefs and values?
  • How have my beliefs and values evolved over time?
  • How do I connect with a higher power or the divine?
  • What practices or rituals do I find helpful in nurturing my spirituality?
  • How can I incorporate more spirituality into my daily life?
  • How can I explore my relationship with the divine or higher power?
  • What questions or uncertainties do I have about my spirituality? How can I explore these questions and seek answers?
  • How can I use my spirituality to cultivate a sense of compassion and empathy towards others, and contribute to the greater good of humanity?

Stress Relief Journal Prompts

By using these prompts, you can explore your stress triggers, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and cultivate a greater sense of mindfulness and appreciation in your daily life. Remember, stress is a natural part of life, but by taking the time to reflect and care for yourself, you can begin dealing with stress and anxiety to reduce your stress levels and find more peace and calm in your life.

  • What are some of the sources of stress in my life right now?
  • How have I been coping with stress in the past?
  • What are some healthy coping mechanisms I can use to manage stress?
  • How can I prioritize self-care to reduce stress?
  • What are some positive affirmations I can tell myself to combat stress?
  • Who can I reach out to for support and encouragement when I am feeling stressed?
  • How can I reframe negative thoughts and maintain a positive outlook?
  • What are some activities or hobbies that help me relax and de-stress?
  • How can I create a stress-free environment at home or at work?
  • What are some steps I can take to prevent stress from overwhelming me in the future?
  • What are some practical solutions to the sources of stress in my life?
  • How can I prioritize my time and responsibilities to reduce stress?
  • What are some physical activities I can do to relieve stress?
  • How can I maintain a healthy work-life balance to reduce stress?
  • How can I stay organized and on track to reduce stress?
  • How can I find humor and joy in life to combat stress?
  • What are some self-reflection exercises I can do to reduce stress?
  • How can I maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce stress, such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly?
  • How can I set realistic expectations and boundaries to reduce stress?
  • What are some things I can do to maintain a positive and relaxed state of mind, such as meditating, practicing mindfulness, or spending time in nature?

Travel Journal Prompts

By using these travel journal prompts, you can record your thoughts and emotions while exploring new places, and reflect on the many insights and lessons you learn along the way. Keeping a travel journal can help you gain a deeper appreciation for the world around you, and help you create lasting memories that you can look back on for years to come. By using these travel journal prompts for each day of your trip, you can record your experiences, thoughts, and emotions throughout your journey. This can help you appreciate your travels more, and give you a way to look back on your adventures and memories in the future.

  • Where am I currently traveling to and what are my expectations for this trip?
  • What are some new things I want to experience and try while on this trip?
  • What are some things I want to learn or understand better about the culture and people in the places I visit?
  • How did I feel when I arrived at my destination? What were my first impressions?
  • What did I do on my first day of travel? What were the highlights?
  • What are some things I want to do or see while I’m here?
  • What did I do today? What were the highlights?
  • What did I learn about the place I’m visiting today?
  • What are some interesting people I’ve met? What did I learn from them?
  • What impressions have I gotten from the place I’m visiting?
  • What’s beautiful or unique about the place I’m visiting?
  • What was the most memorable moment of my trip so far, and why?
  • What natural wonders did I see today? How did they make me feel?
  • Did I engage in any outdoor activities today? What were they, and how did they challenge or inspire me?
  • What local flora or fauna did I encounter today? What did I learn about them?
  • Did I take any time to relax today? How did I spend that time?
  • How am I feeling about my trip so far? What are some things that have surprised me?
  • What are some new things I want to try before my trip ends?
  • What have I learned about myself on this trip?
  • What am I most grateful for on this trip?
  • What challenges have I faced during my travels, and how have I overcome them?
  • What are some things I would do differently if I could do this trip over again?
  • What are some things I will miss most about this place?
  • Who have I met on this trip that has impacted me, and what did I learn from them?
  • What are some interesting observations or insights I’ve had about the places I’ve visited?
  • What have I learned about myself during my travels, and how has this experience changed me?
  • What are some ways I can take the lessons and experiences from my travels and apply them to my life at home?

“What If” Journal Prompts

“What if” journal prompts are a fun and creative way to explore different scenarios and possibilities. There are no right or wrong answers, so have fun with these prompts and see where your creativity takes you!

  • What if I could travel back in time to any moment in history? Where would I go, and what would I do?
  • What if I had the power to fly? How would I use this ability, and where would I go?
  • What if I could live anywhere in the world? Where would I choose, and why?
  • What if I won the lottery? How would my life change, and what would I do with the money?
  • What if I could switch places with someone for a day? Who would I choose, and what would I do in their shoes?
  • What if I could meet any famous person, living or dead? Who would I choose, and what would I ask them?
  • What if I could speak any language fluently? Which language would I choose, and what would I do with this skill?
  • What if I could relive any day from my past? Which day would I choose, and what would I do differently?
  • What if I could talk to any animal? Which animal would I choose, and what would I ask them?
  • What if I had made a different pivotal decision in my past? Which decision would have changed the course of my life?

Answer a New Daily Journal Prompt in the Day One Journal App

The Day One journaling app makes it easy to build and maintain a daily journaling habit. Daily journaling writing prompts , reminders , and journaling streaks are designed to help keep you motivated and consistently journaling.

About the Author

Kristen Webb Wright is the author of three books on journaling. With a passion for writing and self-reflection, Kristen uses her experience with journaling to help others discover the benefits of documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In her role at Day One, she helps to promote the power of journaling so people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of journaling.

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Pages of Positivity | Journal prompts, affirmations & quotes

100 Creative Journal Prompts That You Must Try This Year

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100 amazing journal prompts for creativity

I am so excited to dive into today’s blog post because we’re delving into one of my absolute favorite topics: creative journal prompts!

Journaling has been an incredible journey for me on the path of personal growth, and I can’t wait to share some unique and inspiring prompts with you.

You know, sometimes life can get a bit overwhelming, and we all need a little nudge to tap into our creativity and reflect on our experiences.

That’s where these journal prompts come in. They’re not just about writing; they’re about exploring your thoughts, feelings, and dreams in a way that feels like a cozy chat with your best friend.

Get ready to unlock new perspectives, spark your creativity, and, most importantly, have fun on this beautiful journey of personal growth.

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This post may contain affiliate links. That is, if you click on a link and buy something I recommend, I will receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you.

25 creative self-discovery prompts

  • What values are most important to you, and how do they influence your decisions?
  • Describe a moment from your past that significantly shaped your identity.
  • If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what advice would you give?
  • List five activities that bring you pure joy and fulfillment.
  • Reflect on a challenging experience. What did it teach you about yourself?
  • Imagine you have a day entirely to yourself. How would you spend it?
  • Identify a fear or limiting belief. How can you overcome or challenge it?
  • What role does gratitude play in your life, and how can you practice it more?
  • Recall a compliment that deeply resonated with you. What does it reveal about your values?
  • Consider three people you admire. What qualities in them resonate with you?
  • Explore a book or movie that had a profound impact on your perspective. What insights did you gain?
  • Describe a moment when you felt completely in sync with your surroundings. What were you doing?

creative journal prompt ideas

  • If you could master any skill, what would it be, and how would it enhance your life?
  • Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. How can you leverage your strengths and work on your weaknesses?
  • List three short-term and three long-term goals. What steps can you take to achieve them?
  • How do you handle stress, and what strategies can you adopt to manage it better?
  • In what ways can you prioritize self-care in your daily life?
  • What does success mean to you, and how has this definition evolved over time?
  • Describe an experience that forced you out of your comfort zone. What did you learn from it?
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
  • Reflect on a mistake you made recently. How did you grow from it?
  • What is a hobby or interest you’ve always wanted to explore? How will you start?
  • List three things you appreciate about your body and mind.
  • Consider your relationships. Are there any that need nurturing or boundaries?
  • Imagine you have achieved your biggest life goal. What does your life look like, and how did you get there?

creative journal prompt ideas

25 creative personal growth prompts

  • Identify a negative thought pattern. How can you reframe it into a positive mindset?
  • What daily habits contribute to your overall well-being, and how can you enhance them?
  • Reflect on a recent setback. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn?
  • In what ways can you broaden your perspective on a topic you’re passionate about?
  • List three areas in your life where you can set healthy boundaries.
  • How do you handle criticism, and what can you learn from constructive feedback?
  • Explore a new skill or hobby that challenges you. What excites you about learning it?
  • If you could change one thing about your current routine, what would it be, and why?
  • Identify a goal that aligns with your values. How can you break it down into actionable steps?
  • Reflect on a personal mantra or affirmation that motivates you. How can you incorporate it daily?
  • Consider a past success. What strengths did you leverage, and how can you apply them again?
  • Explore a different cultural perspective. How might it influence your worldview?

creative journal prompt ideas

  • Describe a moment when you felt proud of your personal growth. What led to that feeling?
  • In what ways can you prioritize mental health in your daily life?
  • List three habits you want to cultivate to enhance your overall well-being.
  • Consider your role models. What qualities do they possess that you want to develop?
  • Reflect on a decision you’ve been procrastinating on. What steps can you take to move forward?
  • What is a skill you want to refine, and how can you practice and improve it?
  • Explore a topic you know little about. How can you educate yourself on it?
  • If you could meet anyone, living or deceased, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
  • Take a photo of something in your surroundings and create a short story inspired by it.
  • List three random objects. Find a way to incorporate them into a unique piece of art.
  • Experiment with a new form of creative expression, such as poetry or digital art.
  • Imagine you’re a character in a fantasy world. Describe your adventures and discoveries.
  • Create a vision board that represents your aspirations and goals for the future.

30-day guided journals

25 creativity prompts

  • Write a letter to your future self, expressing your hopes and dreams.
  • Invent a fictional character and explore their background, personality, and journey.
  • If you could redesign your living space entirely, what would it look like, and why?
  • Explore a color palette that resonates with your current emotions. Create a piece of art using these colors.
  • Design a personal logo or symbol that represents who you are and what you stand for.
  • Write a short story with a twist ending that surprises even you.
  • Take a walk in nature and document the sounds, smells, and sights. Use these observations in a creative project.
  • Create a playlist that reflects different aspects of your personality and emotions. Write down these songs.
  • Pick a historical event and reimagine it with a fictional twist. How does the altered event unfold?
  • Experiment with a different genre of music, literature, or film that you haven’t explored before. Write about your experience.
  • Photograph a mundane object from various angles to discover its hidden beauty. Describe it.
  • Write a poem inspired by a strong emotion you’re currently experiencing.

creative journal prompt ideas

  • Choose a famous painting or artwork and reinterpret it in your unique style.
  • Create a short film or animation that tells a story without using any dialogue.
  • Design a board game that represents the journey of life. What challenges and rewards would players encounter?
  • Write a letter to your favorite fictional character, asking them for advice or sharing your thoughts.
  • Experiment with a new recipe or cooking technique. How does the process inspire creativity?
  • Design a tattoo that holds personal significance and meaning for you.
  • Choose a word at random and create a piece of art that represents its essence.
  • Imagine a world where time travel is possible. How would it impact society, and what adventures would unfold?
  • Create a collage using images and words that resonate with your current state of mind.
  • Write a dialogue between two inanimate objects, giving them personalities and motivations.
  • Paint or draw a scene from a dream you vividly remember.
  • Record a spoken-word piece expressing your thoughts and emotions on a particular topic.
  • Create a mind map representing your goals, aspirations, and the steps needed to achieve them.

creative journal prompt ideas

25 creative self-love prompts

  • List three things you appreciate about your physical appearance.
  • Reflect on a compliment you received recently. What positive qualities does it acknowledge?
  • Write a love letter to yourself, expressing gratitude for who you are and what you’ve overcome.
  • List five activities that bring you a sense of peace and contentment.
  • Identify a negative self-talk pattern. How can you replace it with more positive affirmations?
  • Take a day to pamper yourself. What self-care activities would you include?
  • In what ways can you set healthy boundaries to prioritize your well-being?
  • What achievements are you proud of, and how have they contributed to your growth?
  • List three things you love about your personality and character.
  • Reflect on a challenge you faced. How did your resilience shine through?
  • Consider a difficult decision you made. What strengths did you display in the process?
  • Write down your favorite qualities that make you a good friend or partner.

creative journal prompt ideas

  • List three self-love affirmations that resonate with you. Repeat them daily.
  • Reflect on your accomplishments, big or small. How have they shaped your self-perception?
  • Take a moment to appreciate your body for all it allows you to do and experience.
  • Write a letter to your future self, expressing confidence in your continued growth.
  • Identify a hobby or activity that brings you joy purely for the sake of enjoyment.
  • Celebrate a recent success, no matter how small. How will you reward yourself?
  • List three self-care practices that rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
  • In what ways can you express gratitude for your uniqueness and individuality?
  • Reflect on your support system. How have they contributed to your self-love journey?
  • Take a self-portrait and appreciate the beauty in your unique features.
  • Consider your favorite self-care rituals. How can you incorporate them more consistently?
  • Identify and challenge a negative belief about yourself. Replace it with a positive affirmation.
  • Write down your dreams and aspirations. How can you support yourself in achieving them?

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What are creative journal prompts, and why should I use them?

Creative journal prompts are like magical keys that unlock the door to your inner world, inviting you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and dreams in a uniquely expressive way.

They’re the spark that ignites your creativity and nudges you to reflect on your experiences with a fresh perspective.

Now, you might be wondering, “Why should I bother with creative journal prompts?” Well, let me share a little secret: they’re like a compass for your personal growth journey .

Here’s the thing: life can be a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and beautiful moments, and sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos.

Creative journal prompts act as your personal guide , helping you navigate through the layers of your mind and heart.

They encourage self-discovery, allowing you to tap into your innermost thoughts and uncover aspects of yourself you may not have consciously explored before.

Think of it as a conversation with yourself, a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with the incredible person you are becoming.

These prompts invite you to express your thoughts in a way that feels like a warm embrace, making the journaling process not just insightful but also immensely enjoyable.

Will you use any of these creative journal prompts?

blog author

I consider myself an expert when it comes to positive affirmations, journaling, and inspirational quotes. My blog is all about spreading good vibes and helping you feel awesome! I’ve got loads of cool stuff for you to explore, like uplifting affirmations that can boost your confidence, fun journal prompts to spark your creativity, and inspiring quotes to motivate you every day. Let’s embark on this amazing journey together as we discover more about ourselves, uncover our hidden strengths, and create a life that’s full of happiness and success.

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30 Best Journaling Prompts for Improving Mental Health

Journaling Prompts

The journaling process involves the structured or free-form expression of thoughts, feelings, and experiences through written words. Using journal prompts enhances self-reflection and cognitive restructuring, leading to improved self-understanding and better emotional regulation (Smyth & Helm, 2003; Ullrich & Lutgendorf, 2002).

This simple yet profound activity can serve as a complementary tool to traditional therapeutic interventions, offering a range of benefits that can significantly enhance the therapeutic process.

Below, we will suggest several journaling prompts for your clients and when and where to apply them.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Gratitude Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients connect to more positive emotions and enjoy the benefits of gratitude.

This Article Contains

Journaling with prompts: 5 benefits, 8 daily self-reflection prompts for adults, 8 self-discovery prompts and questions, 5 mindfulness prompts for gratitude and self-love, 10 prompts and ideas for improving mental health, 4 most effective apps for journaling, 4 helpful books for your journey, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-away message, frequently asked questions.

The integration of journal prompts offers a scaffolded approach to self-expression, potentially amplifying the therapeutic dividends of the practice.

These structured prompts can act as beacons, leading individuals through the tumultuous seas of their inner worlds, particularly when emotional turbulence threatens to overwhelm.

The act of systematically channeling emotions through guided writing prompts provides a means of catharsis, allowing for the release of pent-up feelings and facilitating a deeper understanding of oneself.

To learn more about the advantages of journaling, check out this article on the Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health .

Prompts for self-reflection

People with a strong sense of self-awareness are better equipped to handle life’s challenges, make informed choices, and nurture personal relationships. By setting aside dedicated time each day to engage with their inner world introspectively, individuals can identify patterns, understand triggers, and navigate personal challenges with greater clarity.

Engaging in this practice allows adults to build a bridge between past experiences and present emotions, fostering growth and adaptive coping strategies.

Below are daily self-reflection journaling prompts to nurture these benefits and to end the day:

  • Values check-in What values did I uphold today, and in which moments did I stray from them? How can I better align my actions with my core beliefs tomorrow?
  • Learning corner What did I learn today — about myself, others, or the world around me?
  • Interaction insight Which interaction today left the most significant impact on me? Was it positive or negative, and why?
  • Dreams and desires What is one thing I deeply desire, and what steps can I take tomorrow toward achieving it?
  • Barriers and solutions What obstacles did I face today, and how did I overcome them? If I didn’t, what can I do differently next time?

3 Journaling prompts to start the day

  • Visualizing success How does my ideal day look today? From interactions to tasks, how would everything play out in the best possible way?
  • Energy check On a scale from 1 to 10, how energized do I feel this morning? If it’s less than ideal, what can I do to boost my energy and mood?
  • Daily inspiration What affirmation, quote, or song lyric inspires me today, and how can it guide my actions and mindset?

creative journal prompt ideas

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These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you or your clients with tools to build daily gratitude habits, express more appreciation toward others, and experience more positive emotions in everyday life.

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In the intricacies of adult life, the profound journey of self-discovery and finding purpose often takes a backseat. Yet, delving deep into our sense of self and understanding our desires, fears, values, and beliefs is paramount for creating meaning.

McAdams (2001) discussed the importance of conscious identity creation, suggesting that adults continually craft and revise the story of their lives, integrating past experiences with future purpose in life .

Individuals who reported a clear sense of meaning exhibited greater psychological wellbeing and were better equipped to handle life’s stressors (Steger et al., 2006). Using journaling techniques, we can intentionally thread together our own story that encourages coherence, purpose, and meaning to life.

Below are some self-discovery and meaning-making journaling prompts to begin the journey:

  • Inner child reflection Think back to when you were a child. What activities or hobbies made you lose track of time? How can you incorporate those passions into your adult life?
  • Future self-visualization Imagine yourself five years from now. What are you doing? Where are you living? How do you feel? What steps can you take now to align with this vision?
  • Fear face-off What are three fears holding you back? What’s one small action you can take to challenge each fear?
  • Gifts and talents What are three things you’re exceptionally good at? How can you use these strengths more in your daily life?

For more on journaling techniques, we recommend checking out this video.

4 Prompts for finding purpose

  • Legacy creation If you were to leave a legacy behind, what would it be? How would you want to be remembered by your loved ones and the broader community?
  • Passion pursuit What topic or cause ignites a fire in you? How can you dive deeper into this passion, and how might it align with a larger purpose?
  • Life book If your life was a book, what would its central theme be? How do the chapters so far lead to a purpose-driven climax?
  • Guiding principles What principles or philosophies resonate deeply with you? How can they guide you toward a purpose-filled life?

Mindfulness prompts

According to Kabat-Zinn (2005), cultivating mindfulness can lead to a deeper connection with the self and the world, fostering a sense of peace and balance.

The practice of gratitude can promote life satisfaction and overall wellbeing (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Furthermore, self-love enhances self-acceptance and lower levels of psychological distress (Neff & Vonk, 2009).

Together, the trifecta of mindfulness, gratitude, and self-love provides individuals with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace, build meaningful relationships, and cultivate a deep sense of fulfillment.

The following mindfulness journaling prompts can help create a positive feedback loop that enhances overall wellbeing and life satisfaction:

  • Treasure hunt in memories Close your eyes and travel back in time to a memory you’ve forgotten, a moment when you felt a simple joy. What can you thank your past self for in that moment?
  • Body appreciation tour Start from the tips of your toes and move upward, pausing to express gratitude for each part of your body. Instead of focusing only on function, appreciate the stories and experiences each part holds.
  • Gratitude in disguise Reflect on a recent challenge or setback. Instead of focusing on the negative, find one aspect to be thankful for. Did it bring a hidden blessing? Teach you resilience? Help you discover an inner strength?
  • Mirror talk Stand in front of a mirror, look into your eyes, and list five things out loud you love about your personality. It’s a direct and powerful reaffirmation of self-worth.
  • Nature’s gifts Spend a moment outdoors, feeling the air, listening to the sounds, and observing the life around you. Express gratitude for the intricate web of life and your unique place within it. How does nature reflect the love and abundance you hold within?

Mental health is intricately linked to every aspect of our lives, from physical health to professional productivity, and from personal relationships to overall life satisfaction.

Moreover, robust mental health serves as a protective factor, bolstering resilience during adversities, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting optimal emotional responses.

A study by Lyubomirsky et al. (2005) further elucidates that individuals with high levels of psychological wellbeing have better cardiovascular health, stronger immune function, and even increased longevity.

Given its profound implications, it becomes vital to place mental health at the forefront of our daily priorities, ensuring a life that’s not just lived, but truly cherished and enriched.

Download this tracking worksheet to help improve mental health.

5 Prompts for clients with depression and anxiety

By journaling about feelings that might be challenging to express verbally, clients can gain insight into their emotional states, recognize patterns in their thinking, and develop coping mechanisms.

Journaling can lead to significant improvements in mood disorders, reduced health visits, and enhanced cognitive functioning (Smyth & Pennebaker, 2008).

In the context of depression, where feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness might prevail, documenting achievements can be particularly empowering. Additionally, the structured and repetitive nature of journaling can serve as a grounding exercise , helping those with anxiety to anchor themselves in the present moment.

The following journaling prompts can be helpful for individuals grappling with depression and anxiety and those who want guidance to process emotions:

  • Anxiety dialogue If your anxiety could speak, what would it say? How would you respond to it?
  • Facing fears What’s one fear you encountered today? How did you cope, or what can you do differently next time?
  • Success stories List small achievements or tasks you accomplished today.
  • Emotional weather report If your current emotions were a type of weather, what would they be? Cloudy, stormy, sunny breaks?
  • Comfort list Identify five things that always bring you comfort or peace. How can you incorporate one into your day tomorrow?

4 Journaling prompts for processing emotions

  • Emotion mapping Describe your current emotion as if it were a place. What does it look, sound, and feel like?
  • Letter to my emotion Write a letter to the emotion you’re feeling, whether it’s anger, sadness, joy, or confusion.
  • The “why” deep dive Pick an emotion you felt today and ask yourself “why?” five times, diving deeper into the root cause.
  • Future self-soothing What advice would a calm and centered future version of yourself give to your current emotional state?

Several mental health apps available today provide users with tools and resources to manage their symptoms and improve their overall mental health.

These apps often include features such as mood tracking, mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, cognitive reframing activities, and community support.

The following apps can also be helpful for journaling:

Day One Journal

This user-friendly app allows for versatile journaling experiences. With the ability to include photos, voice recordings, and even location tags, it’s perfect for capturing memories or moods in a multi-sensory format.

Find the app in the Google Play store.

Find the app in the Apple App Store .

2. Reflectly

Reflectly

Using artificial intelligence, Reflectly tailors questions to guide your reflection process and helps you uncover deep insights about your emotions and thoughts over time.

3. Five Minute Journal

Five Minute Journal

Based on the principles of positive psychology, this app focuses on gratitude, setting daily intentions, and reflection, all in a quick, easy-to-use format.

Journey

With its beautiful interface and cloud syncing capability, Journey supports multimedia entries and offers a safe, private space for your mental health reflections.

In addition to these excellent journaling apps, consider visiting our article listing the 11 Best Gratitude Apps to Increase Your Wellbeing .

The following are recommended books for your clinical library, some specifically on journaling and others on the self-discovery journey.

1. The Journal Writer’s Companion: Achieve Your Goals, Express Your Creativity, Realize Your Potential – Alyss Thomas

The Journal Writer's Companion

This book is designed as a clear and practical guide for using journaling to succeed in various areas of life.

It serves as a comprehensive reference to different journaling techniques, including gratitude journals , bullet journals, legacy journals, and art journals. The book aims to be the only guide needed for achieving personal and professional success through journaling. ​

With over 275 insightful prompts and exercises, this guide offers techniques to dive deep into self-reflection, helping readers tap into their creativity, understand themselves better, and live more mindfully.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. Soul Therapy: A 365 Day Journal for Self Exploration, Healing and Reflection – Jacqueline Kademian

Soul Therapy

This daily, guided journal is aimed at facilitating self-exploration, healing, and reflection.

The journal features 365 days of thought-provoking journaling prompts, inspiring quotes, and open-ended questions. It also includes daily practices and motivational “soul food” with space for writing.

This journal is designed as a comprehensive tool for personal growth, encouraging users to delve deeper into self-understanding and personal development through guided journaling activities.

3. The New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self-Guidance and Expanded Creativity – Tristine Rainer

The New Diary

This comprehensive guide presents a modern approach to journal writing. It moves beyond traditional diary keeping, focusing instead on using a journal as a tool to tap into your inner resources.

This book is aimed at both experienced journal keepers and novices, offering various methods for using a diary to achieve personal goals, clarify visions for the future, and focus energy. It serves as a medium for unlocking intuition and imagination, and as a workbook for exploring dreams, past experiences, and current life situations.

The book is intended for anyone seeking practical ways to address personal issues and for those seeking self-reliance, inner liberation, and creative inspiration.

4. Journal to the Self: Twenty-Two Paths to Personal Growth – Kathleen Adams

Journal to the Self

This roadmap to journaling offers a step-by-step method for personal growth, creative expression, and career enhancement.

Journal to the Self is a reader-friendly guide to journal keeping, seen as a rewarding path to greater self-awareness. It is described as a classic work in the field and is known for its practical and approachable style.

Adams, a nationally recognized therapist, provides various journaling techniques and insights, making it a valuable resource for those looking to explore the benefits of journal writing for personal development​.

We also have a shortlist of the 5 Best Books of Gratitude , which includes Oliver Sacks’s Gratitude , for even more reading material.

On our site, we have a multitude of tools and articles to help on a client’s mental health journey.

Our Gratitude Journal: 66 Templates & Ideas for Daily Journaling provides methods and a format to begin exploring how to cultivate thankfulness and appreciation for life. This article contains various modalities to get started on a gratitude practice and maps out what benefits you can expect.

If you are more data driven and want to track affect and emotion, refer to our 7 Best Mood Trackers to Chart and Journal Your Mood . This article provides some of the best resources to begin monitoring and charting changes in mood and possible reasons for those shifts.

Likewise, refer to our 13 Self Reflection Worksheets & Templates to Use in Therapy if you would like your client to focus specifically on self-awareness skills. This article provides prompts, worksheets, tools, and other unique interventions to help clients reflect on their self-discovery journey.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others harness the benefits of gratitude, check out this collection of 17 validated gratitude tools for practitioners . Use them to help others shift to a more positive mindset and experience the joys of life more deeply.

Journaling can offer a window into the inner workings of a client’s mind outside of the therapy room. By dissecting experiences and reflecting on them, individuals can gain clarity and develop more constructive strategies to tackle challenges (Pizarro, 2004).

This act of writing transcends mere documentation; it serves as a mirror, reflecting our deepest thoughts, fears, aspirations, and emotions. Through this reflection, individuals can discern patterns, confront traumas, celebrate triumphs, and most crucially, understand themselves on a profound level.

Journaling prompts encourage us to question, to challenge, and to dream. By consistently engaging with our inner narratives, we not only build self-awareness and emotional resilience but also cultivate a sense of purpose and direction.

The pen, in this context, becomes a powerful tool, not just for recording life but for shaping it.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Gratitude Exercises for free .

Starting a daily journaling practice can be achieved by following these steps:

  • Set aside time daily to dedicate to journaling.
  • Create a comfortable space.
  • Begin with a journaling prompt.
  • Be consistent.

Journaling exercises are structured activities or techniques used to explore particular themes, emotions, or experiences in depth.

While journaling is a personal activity, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, some general guidelines can enhance the experience:

  • Be honest with yourself. Your journal is a safe space; be genuine in your entries.
  • Don’t worry about perfection. It’s about expression, not crafting perfect prose.
  • Write regularly. Even if it’s brief, regular writing helps in maintaining continuity.
  • Reflect on past entries. Revisiting old entries can offer insights into personal growth and change.

Journaling activates the brain’s left hemisphere, which is analytical and rational, allowing the right hemisphere, associated with creativity and intuition, to explore freely and express.

Journaling also provides a therapeutic outlet, helping in the processing and management of emotions.

  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 84 (2), 377–389.
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2005). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life . Hyperion.
  • Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin , 131 (6), 803–855.
  • McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology , 5 (2), 100–122.
  • Morin, A. (2011). Self-awareness part 1: Definition, measures, effects, functions, and antecedents. Social and Personality Psychology Compass , 5 (10), 807–823.
  • Neff, K. D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality , 77 (1), 23–50.
  • Pizarro, J. (2004). The efficacy of art and writing therapy: Increasing positive mental health outcomes and participant retention after exposure to traumatic experience. Art Therapy , 21 (1), 5–12.
  • Smyth, J. M., & Helm, R. (2003). Focused expressive writing as self-help for stress and trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychology , 59 (2), 227–235.
  • Smyth, J. M., & Pennebaker, J. W. (2008). Exploring the boundary conditions of expressive writing: In search of the right recipe. British Journal of Health Psychology , 13 (1), 1–7.
  • Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The Meaning in Life Questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology , 53 (1), 80–93.
  • Ullrich, P. M., & Lutgendorf, S. K. (2002). Journaling about stressful events: Effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression. Annals of Behavioral Medicine , 24 (3), 244–250.

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3 Gratitude Exercises Pack

Best Creative Journal Prompts in 2023

Unlock your creativity with our curated selection of creative journal prompts. As a valuable tool for self-expression and personal growth, journaling can sometimes feel daunting when faced with a blank page. That's where creative prompts come in, providing a starting point to inspire your writing journey. In this article, we delve into a variety of creative journal prompts designed to ignite your imagination and encourage deeper self-reflection. From thought-provoking questions to imaginative scenarios, these prompts are more than just a way to fill a page; they're catalysts for creativity and self-discovery. Whether you're a seasoned journal enthusiast or just beginning your writing journey, these creative journal prompts will offer fresh inspiration, challenge your thinking, and provide a unique perspective. So, let's turn those blank pages into a canvas of creativity and self-expression.

60 Creative Journal Prompts

What is one way i can push myself out of my comfort zone in the new year.

Open Prompt

What is one thing I did but wish I hadn't on my trip?

What does having a fresh start mean to me, what do i want most from my friendships, if i could change one thing about yesterday, what would it be, what does an ideal valentine's day look like to me, how do i want to take care of myself in the new year, if money was no concern, where would i want to travel next, and why, what is one thing that came out of the covid-19 pandemic that i want to keep in my life, in what ways can i be healthier in the new year, what are ways i can wind down and relax before sleep, how can i give back more in the new year, what is my opinion on work-life balance what does that look like to me, what can i change about my bedtime routine to have a more restful sleep, what obstacles do i face in taking better care of myself how can i overcome one of them, what is one step i can take to manage my money better, am i comfortable with my current work-life balance if not, what can i do to improve it, what lessons did i learn in the past year, what do i need to do to become a better person, what do i wish i knew more about, i am most proud of . . ., what feelings does spring evoke, what is a problem i have noticed at work recently what could i do to solve it, what is one thing i wish i had gotten to do but didn't do on my trip, if i had to define myself in terms of principles, what would they be, what does adventure mean to me, what is something i can do for myself today, how would i spend my time if money didn't matter, what do i want to add to my life in the new year, what can i be thankful for that i take for granted in my day-to-day life, what do i want to take from today into tomorrow, what would i like to spend my time doing when i retire, what is something i can thank myself for, what are ways i can practice self-care daily, where would i celebrate new year's if i could celebrate it from anywhere, what should i explore next in my hometown, what can i do to be in a better financial position by the end of the new year, how do i want to grow in the new year, if i had to choose a single word or theme to describe the new year, what would it be, what activity, behavior, or perspective did i discover on my trip that i would like to adopt back home, what would i like to learn more about, and why, what is one book that has influenced me significantly, when i need help, is it easy or hard for me to ask for it, is the life that i am living the life i want, what is one new thing i can try in the new year, what are my three biggest distractions right now, and how can i reduce them, what is one way that technology enhances my productivity, what would i do tomorrow if i had a free day, what is one actionable thing i can do to control my debt, what is one piece of advice i would give to someone traveling to this place, if i had one day left to live, what would i do on that day, what am i most excited about in the new year, what is something i do not like about my living environment how could i change it, what is a time i went out of my comfort zone while traveling, if my flight got delayed and i had one more day at my destination, how would i spend it, how does my car make my life better, what can i learn from a mistake i have made, what music am i thankful to be able to listen to, and why, what does romance mean to me, what is one way i would like to get out of my comfort zone.

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100 Magical Journal Prompts for Creative Inspiration

Discover some creative journal prompts for inspiration, free PDF printable included!

Whimsical, sparkly, and slightly magical, the journal prompts in this blog post were created as fun creative journaling exercises. They include a healthy mix of reality and fantasy.

Use these creative journal prompts as starting points for personal journaling, creative writing, or art journaling projects. Write, draw, doodle, or paint your answers and ideas in your journal or sketchbook. Or simply read through for a relaxing and entertaining break.

These magical journal prompts are meant to be enjoyed and shared. Find the PDF printable version at the end!

**This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you for products you purchase via this website. For more information  click here. **

creative journal prompts

100 Creative Journal Prompts for Inspiration

1. What is the best beach or lake day you can remember?

2. Describe your ideal picnic lunch.  

3. What flowers are in your bouquet?

4. 5 Silly ways to pass the time during a snowstorm.

5. A little bit about yourself as a cat.

6. The best place you ever dined.

7. 3 Different directions you can go at a cross in the woods on a sunny day.

8. Describe or draw the adorable cartoon mouse eating your favorite cheese.

9. How many layers to your ice cream sandwich? Describe or draw each one.

10. 5 Pretty things which are faux patent leather.

11. What are the best ways to eat chocolate?

12. Your unicorn’s special magic.

13. Describe the most beautiful home you’ve ever visited.

14. Bunnies can communicate with you telepathically. What are they saying?

15. All the fruits in your fruit salad:

16. Shiney, hand-forged copper pots for _____.

17. Your favorite books of all time:

18. 10 Things you could use as snowshoes in a pinch.

19. 5 Reasons to smile.

20. 10 Sparkling silver objects:

21. The scroll indicates you have been bequeathed _____.

22. 5 Unusual places to discover magic glitter:

23. List 10 new places to visit in the next 3 years.

24. How would you decorate your tiny home?

25. Design your own tree including what would grow on it.

26. Favorite ways to spend a quiet afternoon?

27. Describe the soil, grass, trees, flowers, and rocks in your magical forest.

28. What animals are sunbathing on the big flat rock?

29. Write what your tarot cards would reveal to you now.

30. List or draw your favorite sea creatures.

31. What is brewing in your pot?

32. You have 21 individual zippered pockets on your suitcase because:

33. Describe your pet avatar.

34. The lyrics which move most you are:

35. 10 Purple party themes.

36. Describe or draw your future wardrobe.

37. The best compliment you can think to give.

38. You’re only a few steps away from _____.

39. 5 Scientific advancements you’re grateful for.

40. What should you be famous for?

41. What would you tell someone from the mid-1800s about today, if you could travel back in time?

42. List 10 gelly things.

43. Your favorite kinds of pools.

44. Someone once wisely told you _____.

45. 5 Places you’d like to zip line through.

46. What are the best sauces in the world?

47. Make 4 predictions for 4 years from now:

48. What do you think animals say about humans?

49. If you could fill in the blank with anything, it would be _____.

50. What do you love to read?

51. Describe 4 magical elements to represent wind, water, fire, and earth.

52. Write a haiku about nature.

53. 5 Objects made out of crystal.

54. Best types of cuisine around the world.

55. Name 10 new ways to be creative you haven’t tried.

56. Write or design your family crest if you were to have one.

57. Which songs would your cover band play?

58. Best things about the desert.

59. You have a magical umbrella which can _____.

60. Your favorite time of day and why.

61. You’re surprised by how handy _____ is coming in.

62. 5 People you’d be excited to have to knock on your door.

63. What just tickled your nose and made you sneeze?

64. 5 Unforgettable moments.

65. Best places for a moonlit stroll.

66. Describe the best kiss you’ve ever had.

67. Describe the life of a Sprite.

68. 5 Reasons to celebrate with Champagne and/or strawberry shortcake.

69. Where are you wearing your huge floppy sun hat?

70. 5 Pleasant surprises.

71. Your 5 favorite things to do on a rainy day.

72. Delicate layers of _____.

73. Grant three blessings for three loved ones.

74. 5 Best public places.

75. Where would you go on your (unlimited by money or time) RV adventure?

76. What is your favorite thing about summer? Fall? Winter? Spring?

77. 10 Terrific free prize ideas for inside your cereal box.

78. 3 Places you feel at home.

79. 5 Interesting art projects to try .

80. Favorite time periods in history.

81. Favorite artists, musicians, writers, or gurus you’d like to apprentice with (alive or dead.)

82. 5 People you are most grateful for.

83. 10 Things you think are possible to achieve this year.

84. Favorite childhood movies.

85. Favorite geological features on earth.

86. 10 Places fairies might live.

87. 10 Gifts you’d like to receive

88. What tea would be in your magical tea cabinet?

89. 3 Places you’d teleport today if you could.

90. 3 Things that have made you jump for joy.

91. The best places to ride a bike.

92. Invent the best pool float you can imagine.

93. What would your fairy name be?

94. 3 Favorite quotes about life.

95. 5 Coolest places to be on New Year’s Eve.

96. What do you wish you could magically make happen at the snap of a finger?

97. 10 Things that are frivolous yet fabulous.

98. Favorite country living activities.

99. Best foods t eat in a hammock.

100. What wonderful surprise awaits?

Journal prompts book

PDF Printable creative journal prompts

You can grab the fun and magical journal prompts worksheet below. Simply download the PDF, print, and use it whenever you feel like writing something creative and whimsical!

Creative journal prompts printable worksheet

Concluding thoughts

I hope you enjoyed these fun and creative journal prompts for writing inspiration.

Subscribe to Dream Dash Journal for articles on writing, creativity, art, spirituality, lifestyle, and more journal prompts directly to your inbox! Grab the freebie below!

You may also enjoy: 

How to Make a Goals Journal {+ Free Printable Journal Prompts!}

17 Dreamy Tropical Paradise Quotes to Inspire You

65 “You Are Amazing” Quotes for Encouragement {+ Printable Cards!}

30 Free Art Printables -Black & White Plus Color {Cute and Modern!}

Avatar for Kristen Tudeen

Kristen Tudeen is the founder of Dream Dash Journal. She has worked as a lifestyle blogger since 2018 with a focus on personal development. She enjoys inspiring others to explore their spirituality and creative interests.

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What are journal prompts?

4 benefits of using journaling prompts, 105 daily journal prompts to get the ink flowing, stay consistent with journal prompts.

A daily journal practice is a great way to process events and clear your head. 

But if you’ve had one for a while, you might find yourself staring at a blank page without anything to say. Your mind still spins after writing about so many events that you’re unsure where to start without repeating yourself. 

There’s still room for journaling growth when you hit this kind of writer’s block. Using daily journal prompts, you can explore a new subject on the page every day and continually learn about yourself. The right prompts inspire change, challenge you to go deeper , and relieve stress . 

Journal prompts are questions or ideas that help you write. You can start your journal entry by exploring the prompt’s inquiry and then waxing poetic, following your train of thought wherever it takes you.

Prompts encourage reflection on topics you may not naturally select. Often, journaling topics are analytical, therapeutic, and investigative. They encourage you to push your thinking to learn more about yourself and gain further mental clarity. 

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The University of Rochester’s Medical Center states that journaling can help you manage stress, depression, and anxiety . The activity encourages you to process your feelings and understand your behaviors, giving you better insights into why you react in certain ways. And journaling pulls you out of the stress of your day and refocuses your attention on the page, giving your mind a much-needed change of scenery.

Journaling alone is a healthy practice, and using prompts ensures you keep up with it. Daily journaling prompts motivate you to explore new corners of your mind, and in doing so, you experience boosts in the following areas. 

1. Inspiration

Journaling can inspire you to take action as you better understand what you want and set goals on the page. Suppose a journal prompt invites you to consider where you’ll be in five years . Playing out this exercise can help you manifest an ideal future and outline the steps needed to get there, like budgeting money , building good habits , or starting over in a new city or job.

Journaling can also inspire you to take charge of your mental health or relationships. As you write, you’ll notice patterns in behaviors or thoughts you wish to refine. You’ll also discover the inner workings of your relationships and brainstorm ideas on how to improve them.

2. Motivation

When you’re stuck, seeing past your current state can be challenging. But a journal prompt can propel you to consider your next move, generating motivation . 

You may resist using a prompt that pushes you to view your life critically when in a tough spot. But if you manifest a new reality , no matter how improbable it may seem, you’re one step closer to goal-setting and taking action toward that vision. 

3. Creativity

Journal prompts encourage you to get creative when in a writing rut. Everyone has topics of interest they return to, like work life, personal relationships, and hobbies. But these prompts encourage you to think outside your usual journaling box . 

Daily writing prompts also invite you to explore different thinking and writing styles. A journaling idea could propel you to create a poem, draft a short story, or try on a new philosophy for a day. 

4. Gratitude 

If you use journaling to flush out negative feelings, you’re giving your mind a necessary release. There’s nothing wrong with this type of writing practice. 

But you can step out of this trend with a gratitude journal that invites you to explore the joyous moments in life. You may even experience physical health benefits as a result. In one study, half the participants wrote about what was bothering them, while the others gave thanks. Those who practiced gratitude enjoyed an uptick in exercise and fewer doctor’s visits .

monk-saying-prayers-at-field-daily-journal-prompts

Even career scribes experience writer's block. But staying consistent helps banish the block. In one study involving professional writers, those who wrote daily could push past the wall faster than those who didn’t . 

Using journal writing prompts can help you maintain your cadence, generate fresh ideas, and avoid stagnation. Here are 105 journal entry examples to try. 

Creative journal prompts

Journal prompts about creativity ask you to write about why and how you make things. You’re creative — even if your work doesn’t generally fit into this category . You don’t have to make art to explore your inventive side. Creativity may mean dreaming up innovative solutions to problems or brainstorming unique business ideas. Use the following creative writing prompts to better understand your generative instincts:

  • What does creativity look like in your life? 
  • What’s one creative thing you did today?
  • What’s something you’d like to create? 
  • Whose creativity do you admire and why? 
  • What inspires you to create? 
  • If you could practice an art, what would it be? 
  • What is your inner artist like?
  • How do you creatively approach challenges? 
  • How can you introduce more exploration and play into your life? 
  •  What artistic hobby would you like to try? 
  • Does anything hold you back from being more creative? 
  • Write a poem about your day.
  • Draft the first chapter of a novel about your life. 
  • What artists or creators would you like to learn more about? 
  • How can being more creative help you at work?
  • Generate a creative solution to a problem in your life.
  • What type of reading would you like to start?
  • How can you improve your creative thinking ?
  • If you don’t see yourself as a creative person, why is that?

Evening journal prompts

Part of establishing excellent sleep hygiene is getting into a bedtime routine. This ritual should help you wind down, relax your body and mind, and detach from devices. Journaling is an excellent activity to add to your bedtime line-up. Start with the following nighttime prompts that help you get closure on the day through self-reflection :

  • What are you most grateful for today? 
  • What went well in your day?
  • What’s one thing you learned today ? 
  • What was the most meaningful interaction of the day?
  •  What self-care habits did you practice today?
  • What could you have done better today? 
  • What emotions did you have today? 
  • What was your greatest accomplishment of the day? 
  • How did you influence someone else today for the better? 
  • How did you help others today?
  • What steps did you take toward a goal today? 
  • What’s one thing you want to remember about today? 
  • What was the highlight of your day? 
  • How did you take care of your body today?
  • What are you most proud of today?

woman-sleeping-daily-journal-prompts

Morning journal prompts

Morning journal prompts invite a moment of reflection before the day. Your answers set the tone for the hours ahead and help you define bite-sized goals. Start your day with an intentional mindset by using the following prompts:

  • What’s one goal you have for the day?
  • What went wrong yesterday that you can do better today? 
  • What are you looking forward to today?
  • What self-care activities will you do today? 
  • What will you do for fun today? 
  •  Who will you help today, and how? 
  • Write a positive affirmation you can return to throughout the day.
  • What could be challenging today, and how will you face it? 
  • How will you practice gratitude today? 
  • How do you want to feel at the end of the day? 
  • What’s one way you can treat yourself today?
  • Is anything worrying you today? 
  • How did you feel when you woke up? 
  • What did you dream about last night ? 
  • How can you forgive yourself or others today?
  • What’s one way you can save money today? 
  • Who’s one person you’ll try to connect with today, and how? 
  • What healthy choices will you make today? 
  • What step can you take today toward a bigger goal?
  • What will you read today? 

Inspiring journal prompts

Inspiring journal prompts ask you to tap into your inner strengths and motivations and use them to kickstart your self-improvement . Understand what makes you shine with the following journaling ideas:

  • What are your strengths ? 
  • What do you give to others? 
  • How does your company or other individuals benefit from your work? 
  • Who inspires you, and why? 
  • What accomplishments are you most proud of?
  • What book, movie, or piece of art changed your life? 
  • What experiences have made you stronger? 
  • How do you inspire others ?
  • What’s the best idea you’ve ever had?
  • What’s the nicest compliment you’ve gotten? 
  • What extrinsically motivates you? 
  • What intrinsically motivates you?
  • Who have you learned the most from, and why? 
  • What’s an important lesson you’ve taught someone else? 
  • How do you approach hardship? 
  • List your significant achievements from the last five years.
  • What’s one aspect of your personality or behaviors you’d like to work on?
  • Describe a time you achieved a goal you thought was out of reach.
  • How have your self-care and health rituals improved? 
  • What’s a lesson you’d give to your younger self? 
  • What’s an insight you can take from your younger self? 
  • What makes you resilient ?

mans-hand-writing-on-a-journal-daily-journal-prompts

Stress-relieving journal prompts

Journaling may force you into close contact with your feelings, which can initially be uncomfortable. But a study by the American Psychological Association found that writing about your feelings can reduce stress and have long-term physical and mental health benefits . 

While journaling alone eases stress, using a relieving prompt might boost the effect. Here are several to try:

  • What’s causing you stress?
  • What types of stress do you experience? 
  • How does stress feel in your body?
  • What are your stress management tools? 
  • Describe a stressful situation you overcame and how. 
  • What healthy coping mechanisms do you use? 
  • Is there a stressful relationship or situation in your life you can let go of?
  • How does self-care positively impact your stress levels? 
  • How can you de-escalate a stressful situation today? 
  • How do you help others when they’re stressed? 
  • How can you prevent stress in the future? 
  • How are you improving your work-life balance ? 
  • What’s one boundary you could set to reduce your stress? 
  • How do you feel about your current work level? 

man-sitting-in-front-of-laptop-looking-stressed-daily-journal-prompts

Goal-setting journal prompts

One of the key benefits of journaling is the self-awareness you gain. Sometimes, this awareness cues you into goals you’d like to reach. The page is a safe space to explore a vision and commit to striving toward a specific achievement. Here are several journaling questions that can help you envision a better future and understand how to get there:

  • Where do you see yourself in three years? Five years? 10?
  • How can you improve your physical wellness ? 
  • What’s one financial goal you have? 
  • How do you want people to remember you? 
  • What’s your dream career? 
  • Do you have an action plan for your goals? 
  • What obstacles do you face right now? 
  • What skills do you need to achieve your goals?
  • What does accountability mean to you?
  • What have you learned from achieving goals in the past? 
  • What don’t you want in life? 
  • What degrees, certificates, or levels of schooling would you like to earn? 
  • Do you believe in yourself? Why or why not? 
  • How can you improve your faith in yourself?
  • Do you feel you’re moving toward your goals?

Routines and schedules support a more fulfilled existence. Rhythm gives your life structure, helping you accomplish more and make time for rest and self-care. 

Sticking to a journaling practice is a healthy ritual that encourages accountability, self-discovery, and well-being. But like with other positive habits — say, gulping down your morning green drink — consistency can wane. Sometimes, doing right by yourself is the hardest action of all. When you find yourself in this position, seek out daily journal prompts that motivate you to write and help you learn about yourself.

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Elizabeth Perry

Content Marketing Manager, ACC

35 journal prompts for mental health and self-reflection tips

How to start journaling for mental health: 7 tips and techniques, no magic in manifestation how writing helps turn dreams into reality, write your way out of anxiety: 6 benefits of journaling, 50 self-discovery questions for getting to know the real you, how to start a manifestation journal: reach your goals through writing, 90 journal prompts for self-discovery to get the ink flowing, journal your way to the future you want, the best jobs for journalism graduates, similar articles, how to find a hobby that fulfills you: 4 examples, what is a bullet journal, and how can it boost your productivity, how to make a daily schedule: tips and examples, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Live Bold and Bloom

61 Of The Best Journaling Ideas To De-Stress And Feel Happy

Sometimes, just allowing yourself to write whatever wants to come out is enough to get the words flowing, and daily journaling provides the perfect outlet for this.

But there are times when your brain goes as blank as the page in front of you. It happens.

This is why it helps to have a list of creative journal ideas handy.

The next time you find yourself looking for some journal entry ideas, I hope you’ll give this article another look (after enjoying it today).

With a list of journaling ideas at your disposal , you’re sure to find something to shake down whatever is blocking your writing flow.

Sometimes, it’s as easy as reminding yourself why you’re looking for things to journal about in the first place.

Benefits of Journaling

How to start a journal, 1. make a journal list., 2. a meaningful quote journal idea., 3. affirmation journaling ideas., 4. journal about something you’re grateful for., 5. create an “i forgive…” journal entry., 6. write in your journal something someone said or did that made you smile., 7. compliment yourself in your journal., 8. journal a description of your morning routine., 9. write down the answer to the question, “what would i love”, 10. answer this journal question, “what am i thinking”, 11. journal about a milestone you’ve reached or one you’re working toward., 12. write in your journal about the perfect day., 13. create an entry with someone who is on your mind (and why)., 14. journal about your vision for the future., 15. write out your personal vision for this day (your intentions)., 16. journal about the food you’ve eaten and what you will eat today., 17. write about an important event., 18. describe a challenge you’re facing — or one you’ve overcome., 19. write about your solution to a particular problem or challenge., 20. journal about something you’ve read., 21. write about a fear you have and how you choose to respond to it., 22. begin a journal entry with a prayer., 23. write about a “note to self.”, 24. write a letter to someone., 25. write a letter to someone who has passed., 26. start with a memory (recent or distant)., 27. use an image that sparks an idea for journal writing., 28. journal about a dream you remember., 29. use a timer for a journal writing sprint., 30. small daily journal sentence., 31. a creative character sketch., 32. write about something absurd., 33. write an encouraging personal note to yourself., 34. start with your favorite meal., 35. describe how your day is going., 36. write nice things about someone you’re angry with., 37. write about what you’d do with 10% of your income if you just pulled it out of your bank as cash and went to town., 38. write a description of the kind of person you want to be., 39. write about the power of forgiveness in your life., 40. write about questions you have regarding religion or universal beliefs., 41. write about something that scares you that you have to do anyway., 42. prepare compliments for special people in your life. , 43. write an internal dialogue by dictation. , 44. write about how you’ve grown this year or what has changed for you., 45. write about compliments you received that changed your life. , 46. write about something you can’t imagine living without. , 47. write about what you’re feeling right now. , 48. if you live with anxiety, write about how you’re coping with it today. , 49. journal about something that kept you up last night. , 50. write about the top three priorities in your life right now. , 51. write about something you learned from someone who hurt you., 52. write about what you would do with three wishes. , 53. journal about three bad habits you’d like to change. , 54. write about a moment you had in the spotlight as a child or teenager., 55. write about a simple healthy habit you can start building this week. , 56. write about the apps that are helping you function as an adult. , 57. write about a friend you haven’t talked to in years., 58. write about new financial habits you want to build. , 59. write about the bare minimum exercise you want to start doing every day., 60. write about three influential non-relatives in your life. , 61. write about a birthday memory that still makes you smile. , what to write in a journal, final thoughts.

No doubt, you already know some of the benefits of journaling, and one reason may stand out from the others.

Here’s a list of known benefits, in case you haven’t learned them all.

  • Better health by decreasing stress and anxiety
  • An improved ability to articulate and clarify your thoughts
  • Better self-knowledge
  • A chance to improve your writing skills on a daily basis
  • A better frame of mind for reconciling with others (improved relationships)
  • Better problem-solving
  • An enhanced capacity for learning new things

A fresh new journal represents a fresh start — with new ideas and discoveries.

It’s also literally full of blank pages , which have a mixed effect on writers. You want to fill those pages with content worthy of your intentions for this journal. 

woman sitting on bed smiling and writing journaling ideas

Before you can start filling them, though, you need to let go of the idea that your content should be extra-special or next-level insightful. Some days you’ll drop nuggets of wisdom. Other days, you’ll write content that will embarrass your future self. 

No one actually dies of embarrassment, though. Think of it as part of the process. 

If you’re still looking at your gorgeous new journal and wondering how to get started (because “It’s too pretty!” We know how it is), here are some ideas: 

  • Commit to jotting down at least one sentence at a specific time every morning. 
  • Date your journal pages, starting with the first entry (after the first few pages). 
  • Start with your intentions for the journal (a shortlist on one of the first few pages).
  • Start with a note to yourself relinquishing the idea of perfection or originality. 

61 Journaling Ideas to De-Stress and Feel Happy

You can start by creating a list of anything, really. See if one of the following prompts helps you get started:

  • Things you enjoy (for breakfast, relaxation, education, etc.)
  • Fun things that you’d like to change
  • New things you’d like to try
  • List of things you're grateful for
  • Things you can see from where you’re sitting
  • Bucket list of places you’d like to visit

journal list screenshot journaling ideas

Brainyquote.com is one place you can look for quotes that get you thinking — and writing — about something important to you. Choose a meaningful quote that resonates or that makes you want to argue with it.

Choose a favorite positive affirmation or one on which you’d like to elaborate. It can be about your personal development, your career, money, relationships, or anything of great importance to you.

Gratitude and journaling belong together. Start with one thing you’re grateful for, and either expand on that one thing or add at least two more. Pretty soon you'll have a mood-boosting gratitude list you will find very uplifting.

screenshot of 90-day gratitude journal by Barrie Davenport journaling ideas

No doubt, the words “I forgive” bring a certain person to mind whom you find it difficult to forgive. But for your own sake — so you can move past it — at least journal the words “I forgive ____, and I want only what’s good for him/her,” even if you’re not feeling it.

You might preface this journal entry with a memory of something that person said or did that you appreciate.

Or you can think of something this person might hold against you, try to see your words or actions from their perspective, and write a genuine apology to them.

Think of the last time someone did or said something that made you smile in gratitude or admiration.

What was that thing, and what was it about the context of that thing that made you more likely to smile about it?

Imagine you’ve been asked to write something positive about someone — only that someone is you.

This is a creative way to practice some self-love

Maybe you don’t do everything the same exact way every morning (or maybe you do), but there are probably some things you do every morning.

Why do you do them, and what new habits would you like to add to your morning routine to give your day a better start?

What morning habits would you like to replace with better ones?

This is a fun one, but you have to remember not to stop yourself with the question, “What is the point of even writing this when my circumstances probably make it impossible?”

Write it anyway, and remember to seal your answer with the words, “This or something better.”

This question can also be liberating. If you need to allow yourself to articulate these thoughts while answering the question from #9, go ahead.

Allow yourself to get those thoughts out into the open. Just don’t allow yourself to be tied down to them. Use them as a chance to air and then evaluate those thoughts.

Think of an accomplishment that gets you closer to your personal goals. Have you reached it? If not, how close are you to reaching it, and what do you have to do every day to get yourself closer to it?

This can take place in the present or three years from now. Put a description in your journal of the whole day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed that night. Write down all the important details — the big ideas that make your day perfect.

Write about someone you’re thinking about for some reason — someone you miss, someone who’s made you angry, or maybe someone you’d like to meet.

woman writing in diary sitting outside journaling ideas

It can be anyone, and you can either write about why this person is on your mind, or you can write a script for an imaginary meeting or a necessary conversation.

Where do you want to be three years from now? Again, you’ll want to focus on the most important elements of that vision.

You don’t need to know exactly where you’ll be living or what your new favorite chair will look like (though you’re allowed to). What’s the bigger picture for this vision?

When you get to the end of this day, how will you want to have spent it? Or what top three things do you want to focus on today? How will this day get you closer to your vision for the future?

And feel free to make it sound as fancy or as decadent as you want. Try including sensory details in your journal to motivate yourself to mindfulness practice even while you’re eating.

Whether you’re starting a new dietary regimen or not, sometimes it helps to keep a detailed account of everything you’ve eaten and everything you plan to eat for the rest of the day. No judging.

Or pretend you’re a food blogger for a day and write about your ideal menu or a meal you had recently at a restaurant.

Whatever event stirs up memories (good memories or the other kind), write about that. Or write about an upcoming event that’s important to you.

What hurdles have you jumped in your career, with your relationship, or with your personal development? Or what breakthroughs have you had? What challenges remain?

You probably know solutions to some problems or ways to overcome a particular challenge. Maybe you learned it the hard way. Your journal entry about it could turn into a helpful blog post or even a book.

Whether you’re thinking of a memorable passage from a book you’re reading, a blog post or article you’ve read recently, or a magazine headline you saw while standing in a check-out line, write about what sticks in your mind and why it matters to you (if it does).

Ever caught yourself dwelling on a fear that you had — or still have?

How have you chosen to respond to that fear? Does it hold you back in some way? How will you overcome your fear?

If you pray to a higher power, your daily journal is a great place to articulate exactly what you want to say.

Whether you have questions you need to be answered, or you’d like help with something, writing about it makes it more likely that you’ll get closer to the answers, blessings, and accomplishments you’re seeking.

You can also begin with a note to yourself for any of the following:

  • Something you want to remember that day
  • Something you need to change
  • Something you’ve noticed about yourself
  • Something you like  about yourself
  • Something you’d like to do short-term
  • Something you’d like to do one day

A great journal writing prompt is to write a letter. In your journal you can prepare the message to someone with whom you’re having a dispute, someone you need to reconnect with, or someone you want to share your love for.

From there, you can either copy and paste it into an actual message or write it out by hand and send it by snail mail — maybe with a treat, you know its recipient would enjoy.

If you never had the chance to tell someone something you needed to say, writing it in a journal can at least provide some closure, even though it’s not the same as actually telling that someone.

If it helps, try writing it as a script, with your part and that of the person who has passed on. Make it a conversation that ends in a plausible and satisfying way.

Write in your journal about a memory that has come to you recently — perhaps because something in your life triggered it.

woman sitting on floor with journal diary journaling ideas

Whether it’s a happy memory or not, you might enjoy writing about it. Try to recall as many sensory details as you can.

If you’ve ever bought a painting that made you imagine a life that might one day be your own, or if you saw an image in a magazine or on the internet that caught your attention and took you places in your mind, write about that.

Some dreams stick around longer for a reason. What was your most memorable dream, and why do you think you still remember it?

What details stand out the most? Is there something about that dream that you want to recreate in your conscious life? Or does the dream represent a fear or concern you need to address?

Set a timer for ten to thirty minutes and just write whatever comes to mind. Don’t stop until the timer goes off. Sure, much of what you write will sound frivolous or random, but who cares?

Write whatever is trampling over other thoughts to get out the door. Normally, you wouldn’t want to reward such behavior, but thoughts get away with a lot more than we do.

Write a single sentence. Then another. Then a third sentence. You can stop then, or you can keep going. Maybe one of those sentences will trigger something. But even if they don’t, you’ve written three sentences, and that’s something.

If you’re not satisfied with just writing three random sentences, make them an answer to a question or write a sentence for each of the three things you’re most grateful for in that moment.

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Write A Thoughtful And Romantic Love Letter To Your Crush Using Our 13 Examples

Write a creative journal entry sketch of a character based on yourself — or on someone you know. Or create a completely fictional character with strange quirks or with a terrible secret.

This journal entry might become the starter for a new novel or short story. Or it might just help you get better acquainted with a character you already have.

Start with a nonsense observation — like “the sun is a radish this morning” or something more ridiculous.

Write about how your favorite color is connected to the day of the week you were born and the number of hairs in your father’s left ear. Go crazy with this journal idea.

Begin like your writing in a diary and write an encouraging note to yourself about the day you’re going to have or about a challenge you’ll be facing today. Be a friend and write the words you need to hear.

Write about your favorite meal and how it’s prepared. Write about the best time you had when you were able to enjoy this meal — alone or with good company. Why is it your favorite?

Write about how your day (or at least your morning) is going so far, what has happened, and what you’re thankful for.

Write about the direction your day is taking, and whether it’s the direction you want it to take or you’d like to change course and make it better.

sample journal page the mindfulness journal

I know it’s easier to write about why you’re angry with someone, but try writing only positive things about this person.

If no words come to mind, try writing about good things you want for this person. The more goodwill you exercise toward other people in writing, the easier it becomes to forgive them.

If you took one of your paychecks and pulled 10% out in cash for your own personal spending, what would you spend it on and why?

Imagine doing this and describe how you’d feel while you were spending the money. Could you do this on a regular basis?

If you’ve never considered doing this, what would you have to do in order to make it a regular thing?

Write about the person you want to be, focusing on your end goals and the person you have to be in order to reach them.

Visualize yourself as this person and describe your lifestyle, where you live, and how you spend your time. Write about the qualities you admire and want to see in yourself.

When was the last time someone forgave you for something? How did that change things for you?

What did it do for your relationship with this person — and for other relationships? How did it change the way you feel about this person and about yourself?

What questions do you have about the afterlife, about religion, about a higher being? What do you want to know about the universe and your relevance and connection to it?

How would you answer someone else’s question about what you believe?

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying things like “I hate driving in the dark! It’s so scary…” or “I’m terrible at making small talk ! I make a fool of myself every time,” you already know why you prefer to avoid those things.

Now, imagine how differently you’d see those things if you instead told yourself, “Sometimes I really enjoy a nighttime drive,” or “Small talk is nothing to be afraid of.

It’s just talking about the first socially appropriate things that come to mind and listening to other people do the same thing. I’m great at talking, and I’m an even better listener.”

You probably wouldn’t be as anxious to avoid night driving and small talk.

What scares you that you have to do anyway? Maybe you have teenage kids with jobs, and you have to pick them up after their shifts end around seven or eight o’clock.

Maybe you live in an apartment complex and always run into a small crowd of familiar faces when you’re heading in and out.

Write about whatever comes to mind for you, and compose some empowering self-talk to help you get through whatever you have to do that (you think) doesn’t come naturally to you.

Not only is it good practice for writing about your fears and how to address them, this is yet another journaling example of how starting a journal can help you become the person you want to be.

Pretend you’re preparing for an exercise where each of you takes turns sitting in a chair while others each pay you a genuine and true compliment . Everyone has to take a turn in the “seat of regard.” And the only response the receiver can give (besides crying) is “Thank you.”]

Invite two of your “selves” to an honest conversation about something. Think past self vs. present self — or hurting self vs. compassionate caregiver self — or tempted self vs. powerful self. Make a pressing issue the main topic and take dictation for the voices in your head. 

Some years bring more change than others, but what specifically is different for you about this past year? Think beyond events and changes that everyone is experiencing and focus on your own internal changes and personal progress.  

Some compliments make a deeper impression than others, and you can probably think of compliments you’ve received along the way that took you by surprise and changed the way you see yourself. Describe one of these compliments along with who gave it to you. 

Get down to the things you’d absolutely want to hold onto if you lost everything else — whether that’s a special lotion, a kind of tea, your favorite pair of pants, or something else. How did you discover it, and why do you consider it an essential part of your life? 

Make an honest list of the emotions that come to mind and take note of the strongest ones. Then dig a little deeper to explore why you feel those things. If what you’re feeling is an understandable response to a painful experience, honor those feelings, and write with honesty and self-compassion. 

Are you anxious about something right now? Or what coping strategies have you learned that help you deal with your everyday anxiety or with unusual stressors in your life? Write about a moment when you used one of those strategies and how it helped. 

Was your mind playing in-house movies last night? What was on your mind, and why do you think you had such a hard time putting those thoughts to rest? Are you worried these thoughts will come back to disturb you tonight? 

What can you do to help guarantee a better night’s sleep?

You can be as general or specific as you like with this, as long as you identify your top three priorities. Then look at how you prioritize them every day. What does that look like? And what habits are making it easier or harder to keep your priorities straight? 

If you don’t want to name specific people, just write about a painful experience and what you learned from it. Have you changed the way you respond to similar situations? Have your actions since then helped you think of them differently or even forgive them? 

You picked up a “genie lamp” from an antique store, and with a few rubs with your polishing rag, suddenly a genie is offering you three wishes. What do you do with them? Would you change your career, your home, your income…?

And would you use your last wish to free the genie?

What habits have you picked up that are not serving you well? And what habits would you like to replace them with? How might your life change if you replaced even one of those self-sabotaging habits with an empowering one? And which habit will you change first? 

Maybe you were in a school play, concert, or recital, and your family and friends celebrated your performance. Whatever comes to mind, write about it in your journal, adding every detail you can remember. 

Maybe you want to start practicing daily meditation. Or maybe you can stop at two cups of coffee and switch to tea before the jitters set in. Whatever change you’d like to make, describe it and write about how you think it would change your life for the better. 

Start with a shortlist of the apps you use most. Then describe one or more of your favorite apps and how they help you every day. Why are they better than any competitors you’ve tried. What difference have they made in your life? 

Journal about a friend from years back and describe a special moment during your time as friends. When was the last time you talked to them? Do you know how to get a hold of them? Do you want to? Why or why not? And why are they no longer a part of your life? 

Maybe you want to start saving $25 or $50 from every payday. Or maybe you want to start paying off your smallest debt more quickly. Whatever financial concern is at the top of your list, write about what you’re thinking and what action you plan to take. 

You know your body needs movement. Ever since hearing that “sitting is the new smoking,” you’ve thought of how to make exercise a part of your daily life. So, what can you start with today or this week that you know you could stick with? 

Think about teachers or coaches, counselors/therapists, bosses/managers, roommates — anyone who made a positive impact in your life. Write about how you met and what they said or did that helped you make a better choice or see things differently. 

You wake up, and a special, handmade gift is waiting for you on your dresser. Or you come downstairs to find your favorite breakfast waiting for you. Whatever you remember, describe it with as much sensory detail as you can recall.

Whether you use daily journaling prompts or just write whatever is on your mind, knowing how to journal opens a word of self-discovery.

Journaling gives you a safe space to explore creative things and to ask yourself deeper questions.

Keeping a journal is also a way to process and keep a list of things you’ve been learning from a new book, course, or online program.

The simple exercise of writing someone else’s message into your own words helps you make sense of it by filtering it through your own understanding and perspective.

Not only are you then better able to incorporate what you’ve learned, but you’ve also become better at learning.

They really should teach this in schools.

What you write in your journal is your own, though, and however you get those thoughts down onto the page — as neatly printed (or typed) lines, doodles , mind maps, or a combination of all these — the most important thing is to keep journaling daily.

So, there’s no need to ask how to write a journal. Better to ask how journaling can best serve you — and what personal journal ideas can help you make the most of it.

Journal Writing vs. Journal Typing

So, is typing your journal entry as good as writing in your journal by hand?

When it comes to the most powerful benefits of journaling, yes. While there are proven cognitive benefits to writing by hand, the important thing is to get your words onto a page — whether it’s digital or something you can touch.

The most important thing is to create and maintain the habit of journaling every day (or as close to that as possible).

You can always mix it up and do both, choosing one or the other based on convenience or a desire to do something different (or to use that brand new journal).

Journal is a way that works best for you. Your brain will be healthier and happier either way.

Did you find helpful ideas on what to write in your journal?

If you’ve found value in this journaling ideas post, I hope you’ll share it and encourage others to pass it on.

The benefits of daily journaling are too good to keep to yourself, and you know you want to contribute to a more self-aware and generous world.

So, if this article will help you to thrive today and become the person you want to be, please bless another person today — or as many as you can. And may your generosity and goodwill infuse everything else you do today.

creative journal prompt ideas

2 thoughts on “61 Of The Best Journaling Ideas To De-Stress And Feel Happy”

I love this! One of my most favorite ways to journal has been a dialogue between various parts of me. When I’m hurt, I journal from that part. Then I have the validating, caring adult side of me respond. It sounds trippy but it has been really helpful in overcoming some challenging emotions and situations. Great ideas here!

Wonderful This really helps me and inspire me to write my diary Thank you so much

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Develop Good Habits

100 Journaling Questions and Prompts to Spark Your Creativity

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In the midst of our busy lives, it can be easy to lose touch with our creativity. Fortunately, journaling questions and prompts are a great way to reignite our childlike imagination and unlock all the creative potential inside of us.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your new artistic project, trying to solve a complex problem at work, or simply bring more creativity into your life, here is the truth:

The answer is probably already somewhere inside you.

Journaling can be extremely effective to help you fish out all those creative ideas from your subconscious mind—all you have to do is ask the right questions and use the right prompts .

Table of Contents

How to Use Journaling Questions Effectively

There is a journaling practice that I use every single day and which has completely changed the way I think and create.

It’s very simple: every evening, I write down my most important question of the day. Then I let it go, allowing my subconscious mind to relax as I sleep on it.

Then, first thing in the morning, when the brain is at its most creative , I write down the answer. This practice has allowed me to come up with some of my best ideas and solve some of my most challenging problems.

You can use your journal as a cue to give you the answers you need in your life by asking it the right questions in certain key moments, such as:

  • Just before starting a new creative project
  • As a part of your weekly or monthly review
  • When you’re too deep into a problem and need perspective to find a solution
  • When you’re facing a creative block
  • When you’re unsure about your next steps in life
  • In the morning or in the evening as a part of your daily journaling reflection

In this article, I will share with you a list of journaling questions and prompts that will help you tap into your creativity in all sorts of different ways—just choose the ones that feel right for you!

[See some deep questions to get to know people better!]

The Ultimate List of Journaling Questions and Prompts

Journaling prompts and questions to unlock fresh ideas.

  • What is your favorite work of art, and why do you love it?
  • Think of a dream you had recently, and write or draw something inspired by it.
  • Choose three random words from a book or dictionary and write a flash fiction that includes all of them.
  • Start writing whatever comes to your mind and don’t stop until you reach the end of the page.
  • Without thinking too much, answer the following question: What is the most present thought on my mind right now, and what does it mean?
  • Write a letter to a childhood friend.
  • Sit in a coffee place with your journal open and write down interesting snippets from other people’s conversations.

Creative lists for your bullet journal

  • 10 things about myself I never told anyone.
  • 10 things I would like to do before this year ends.
  • The 10 things I love the most about my life.
  • 10 titles of books I could write.
  • 10 things I would love to say yes to.
  • 10 new things I learned this week.
  • The 10 biggest gifts I have to offer to the world.
  • My 10 happiest memories.
  • 10 ways in which I have helped others in the past.
  • The 10 most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Journaling questions and prompts to uplift you with inspiration

  • Create a spread with your favorite quotes. ( Here are some great quotes about journaling itself. )
  • Do some meditative drawing .
  • Write down a gratitude list .
  • What was the most inspiring thing that happened to me this week?
  • Write a love letter to yourself from the perspective of a secret admirer.
  • What’s the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen?
  • Write down a list of random acts of kindness you could do (bonus points: take action and start doing one per day!)
  • Write down a list of songs that ignite your inspiration .
  • Watch an inspiring Ted Talk and take notes.
  • Write a mantra to help you go through tough times.

Journaling questions and prompts for when you're facing a tough challenge

  • What solution have I not tried yet, no matter how ridiculous it may sound?
  • Mindmap the problem at hand.
  • What am I avoiding to ask just because the answer might be painful?
  • What would [person you admire] do?
  • What angle am I not currently seeing?
  • How can I gamify this problem so it becomes fun instead of challenging?
  • Take a break and go for a walk, and then come back and brainstorm the problem with fresh eyes.
  • What is my current bottleneck, and how can I fix it?
  • What would the ideal solution look like?
  • Impersonate two conflicting parts of your personality (eg. The Perfectionist vs The Free Spirit) and write a dialogue where they discuss a solution.
  • What emotions is this situation triggering for me?
  • What negative thought patterns am I getting caught up in?
  • What is the opportunity the universe is giving me by presenting me with this situation?

Succeeded in facing a tough challenge? Here are 120 gratitude journaling prompts to spark your imagination.

3 words to describe…

  • Your current mood.
  • Your current project of passion.
  • The last book you read.
  • How you feel about the world right now.
  • How you would like the world to be like.
  • How you feel about your most intimate relationship.
  • How you deal with difficulties in life.
  • Your core values.
  • How other people see you.
  • How you see yourself.
  • Who you would like to become.

Journaling prompts to shift your perspective

  • What would I do if I knew I only had one hour left to live?
  • What would I do if I were alone in the world for 24 hours?
  • What would I do if money was no object?
  • If I could be anyone else in the world for a day, who would I be?
  • If I could talk to my future self, what would I say?
  • If I would be my own loving parent, what would I do for myself today?
  • Write a love letter to someone you dislike, or who has treated you bad in the past, where you express your forgiveness .
  • Write about how it feels to do something for the first time (eg. play in the snow, see the ocean, fall in love, etc.)

Journaling prompts to engage your senses

  • Make a drawing with your left hand or with your eyes closed.
  • Rip out a page from your journal, fold it several times in different directions, and then write or draw something taking advantage of the different folds and layers to gradually unravel your creation.
  • Make a collage with pictures from magazines or natural objects such as dried leaves and flowers.
  • Close your eyes and tune in to what you feel, then draw it in your journal without lifting the pen from the page.
  • Explore your fear: describe the scariest thing you can possibly imagine.
  • Draw something using an unusual drawing material (such as coffee, ashes, or candle wax).
  • Put on some music and draw as if your hand was dancing to it.
  • Paste in pictures from a recent event or trip and write a caption for each of them.
  • Draw something that’s in your house but that you’ve never paid close attention to until now.

Write a fake letter to…

  • Your parents, telling them what you never had the courage to say.
  • The beautiful stranger you saw on the bus or subway.
  • Your child (if you have one), telling them about their childhood years.
  • An alien, explaining life on Earth and human behavior.
  • Your best friend from childhood, telling them the story of how you came to be who you are today.
  • Someone or something you never had the chance to say goodbye to.
  • Someone to read at your funeral as your last words.
  • Your community, town, tribe, or audience as if you were giving a speech about something you’re passionate about.
  • God, if you believe in one.

Journaling questions and prompts for tapping into your deeper wisdom

  • If my life was a book, what would be the chapters?
  • What do I want my epitaph to be?
  • What is my deepest fear?
  • What question would I most like to know the answer to?
  • What would the complete opposite of me look like?
  • If I could have something written on a huge billboard over the city where I live, what would it be?
  • What is the most important thing I’ve ever learned?
  • Create a vision board .
  • Write down your personal mission statement .
  • What would change about my life if I loved myself unconditionally?
  • What’s a dream I've always had since childhood?

Journaling prompts and questions for reviewing and optimizing your creative work

  • What is currently holding me back from creating my best work?
  • Create a morning routine chart .
  • What have I accomplished this past week, and what could I improve to make the next one even better?
  • What are my creative strengths?
  • If I could master any skill, what would I choose?
  • Where and how do I get my best ideas?
  • Start a Bullet Journal .
  • Do a brain dump of all the ideas and to-dos stored inside your head.
  • Create a list of things you can give or throw away of to declutter your office and create more space.
  • What are the activities that spark my creativity, and how can I make them more frequent in my life?
  • How can I include more collaboration into my creative routine?
  • Describe what a perfect day would look like to you: what would you do and when, who would you be with, what would you eat, etc.

Final Thoughts on Journaling Questions and Prompts

Building a journaling habit has many benefits , and getting your creative juices flowing is just one of them.

Getting unstuck and coming up with new ideas can be just one journaling prompt away. Whenever you need a boost of inspiration, simply pick one of the questions or prompts above and allow yourself to explore the hidden corners of your mind—who knows what treasures you might find!

Now, if you're ready to get started in journaling, these resources might help:

  • 19 Personal Daily Journal Template Examples to Help You Start Journaling
  • 30-Day Journaling Challenge: How to Build the Journal Habit
  • 37 Journaling Quotes to Draw Out Your Deep Inner Thoughts

Finally, if you don’t know the “right” way to journal, then check out this seven-step process for building a journaling habit that sticks .

About the Author: Silvia Bastos shares journaling tips and exercises at JournalSmarter.com . As a writer, a coach, and an artist, she helps people around the world become happier, healthier, more successful, and improve their relationships with themselves and with others.

journaling questions | journal prompts for creativity | journaling questions for creativity

Project Hot Mess

222 Journaling Prompts: Writing Ideas For Creative Self Discovery

By: Author Krystal Kleidon

Posted on Published: October 28, 2021  - Last updated: February 23, 2023

Categories Journaling , Self Development

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When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

Journaling is a great way to not only make sense of your thoughts but also a creative way to understand who you are, what is important to you, and what is happening in your life.

Rather than staring at a blank page and wondering why the words won’t come, we’ve created 222 journaling prompts for you, all specifically designed to help you get to know yourself better.

Why Journaling Prompts?

Journal prompts are an easy way to help you get started with journaling and to help you establish a daily journaling practice.

Rather than having to always come up with new ideas of what to write about, these journal writing prompts help you to stop staring at a blank page and help you to write about specific topics rather than random and sporadic thoughts.

Journaling is a powerful tool that has many benefits including helping combat and manage mental health concerns , overcoming negative thoughts, and can even help you to become a better writer.

These journal prompts have been designed for creative self discovery, to help you get to know and understand yourself better and there are plenty of ideas listed to help you get started.

How To Use Journaling Prompts

There are no set rules as to how to use this list of journal prompts, the important thing is that you use them on a regular basis as a way to develop a regular journaling habit.

You can use these as daily journal prompts and they will give you over 6 months of prompt ideas.

The best thing is that they start to help you tap into your creative thinking, and when you get into the flow, your writing can become a safe space for you and can even help you process difficult emotions.

Some ideas on how to use these creative journal prompts include:

  • Using the journal prompt as a starting point and allowing stream of consciousness to flow from the prompt
  • Use the prompt as a guide and put dot points below of everything you think
  • Write your thoughts in complete sentences, and create a story-like journal entry.
  • Add the prompt to your bullet journal .
  • Voice record your response to the journal prompt
  • Use the prompt daily to help you overcome writer’s block
  • Write each prompt out and place it in a journal jar and pick randomly.
  • Start at the start of the list and work your way through daily.
  • Pick a prompt that resonates with you most.
  • Use a random number generator to randomly select a prompt for you – or use the journal prompt generator below.

Whatever method you choose, these journal prompts provide a great place for you to start your journaling for self-discovery

Random Journal Prompt Generator

Click the button to generate a random journal prompt. Use a new prompt each day (be sure to save this page so you can come back and get a new journal prompt every day).

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

222 Journaling Prompts For Self Discovery

1 – What is the biggest goal you’ve ever achieved? 

2 – Write a short story about your life. 

3 – What is your favorite book and why?

4 – If you were to say ‘that was the best thing that ever happened to me’ what would you be talking about?

5 – If you could write a quick note to your future self, what would it say?

6 – If you could give your younger self just one piece of advice, what would it be?

7 – Can you describe a single day in your life that you feel changed everything for you?

8 – Describe the first time you felt you were in love.

9 – What is something you absolutely love about your daily life?

10 – Who was your best friend when you were growing up? Who is your best friend now?

11 – What are some of the best compliments you’ve ever received?

12 – When you get to the end of your life, what are you worried will be your biggest regret?

13 – What is your favorite character in a book, movie, or TV show and why?

14 – What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do in your life? 

15 – What is the most physically demanding thing you’ve ever done? 

16 – What has been the biggest mental hurdle you’ve had to work through? 

17 – Did you like high school? 

18 – If you had a chance to go back to high school and relive it or redo it, would you?

19 – When you get to this time next year, what do you hope you have achieved?

20 – How do you manage difficult situations? How do you wish you would handle them differently or are you happy with your current strategy? 

21 – What area of your life do you feel you have the most control over? 

22 – What area of your life do you feel you need to improve?

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

23 – Do you think social media is good for the world and for people?

24 – What is your most favorite season of the year? 

25 – What are some of the things on your bucket list?

26 – What do you want your life to look like in 5 years?

27 – What does your dream day look like? 

28 – Describe a skill you’d like to learn and what you want to do with that skill. 

29 – What do you need in your life to be happy? 

30 – What makes you feel the most productive and organized? 

31 – What is something you’ve always wanted to do but never gotten around to doing? Why? 

32 – What is one good habit you’ve established? How did you create that habit for yourself?

33 – What is the last book you read and what did it mean to you?

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Daily Journal Prompts For A Whole Year – Printable

Fill in your details to grab your copy of our 365 Days of Journal Prompts – one for each day of the year – covering a wide range of topics to challenge your thinking. 

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34 – What are you most grateful for in your life right now? 

35 – Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a place that brings you absolute joy – describe that place. 

36 – What is the biggest goal you want to achieve this year and what does achieving it mean to you? 

37 – What has been the biggest thing that has been stopping you from achieving your goals? 

38 – What drains the most amount of energy from you?

39 – What do you need in order to live the life of your dreams? 

40 – What did you want to be when you grow up? Is this still something you want? 

41 – What is your biggest motivator? 

42 – What are your values in life? 

43 – Describe someone who inspires you. 

44 – Are you happy with how you spend your time ? What would you change? 

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

45 – Describe one habit you want to remove from your life and how you plan to remove it.

46 – Describe how you feel when you have big changes happening in your life. How do you cope with them? 

47 – What do you want to spend more time doing this year? 

48 – What is one word you want to live by this year and what does it mean to you?

49 – Describe what makes you feel the most in control in your life. 

50 – Describe a time when you felt absolute confidence. 

51 – Describe what you need in order to recharge when you feel completely drained. 

52 – What is something you do in order to make yourself a priority in your life? 

53 – Are there any boundaries you need to establish in your life? What do these look like and how will they help you? 

54 – If you’re having a bad day, what can you do to lift yourself up and move out of your funk? 

55 – Describe your perfect day and what you need in order to make it a reality. 

56 – What is making you happy right at this moment?

57 – Thinking back to one year ago, how did you imagine your life would look now? Does your current situation match how you thought it would be?

58 – What has been one of the biggest life lessons you’ve learned in the last year? 

59 – What was the last dream you remember having? What do you think it means? 

60 – If you had to live the next month in the life of the last television show you watched, what would it be and what would you do?

61 – What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the last year? 

62 – What moments take your breath away? 

63 – When you look in the mirror, what do you LOVE about yourself? 

64 – What is one lesson you want your children to learn in life? 

65 – What have you worried about lately that turned out to be less worrisome than it originally felt? 

66 – Describe your life as a movie – who would play the lead roles? What would the main plot be? 

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

67 – If you could give one message to the entire world, what would it be? 

68 – What has been one of your biggest achievements in the last year? 

69 – If you could eliminate one stress from your life, what would that be and what would your life look like without it? 

70 – If someone were to interview you about your life, what questions would you want them to ask you? 

71 – If you were given the power to change one thing in the world right now, what would it be and why? 

72 – If you were to describe your soul mate, your ‘perfect’ person, what would they be like? 

73 – Describe how you’re feeling right now? 

74 – Think back to the last time you laughed so hard you cried. What was it about and who were you with? 

75 – If you were to open a door right now and it would transport you somewhere, where would that ‘somewhere’ be? 

76 – What do the different holidays throughout the year mean to you?

77 – What is your earliest happy memory? 

78 – If life gives you lemons, what do you do with them?

79 – If you were to write a fiction book, what would it be about? 

80 – Would you prefer fewer friends with deeper connections, or a wider variety of friendships? 

81 – What does friendship mean to you? 

82 – What does love mean to you? 

83 – How do you feel about the relationships you have with your family? 

84 – Which of your family members are you closest to and why? 

85 – What is your favorite thing about your family? 

86 – What traditions from your family do you want to continue with your own family? 

87 – Who had the most influence on your understanding of relationships ?

88 – Are you happy with how your relationship is working at the moment? 

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

89 – How do you like to be shown that you are loved? 

90 – What is the most difficult thing about your relationship at the moment? 

91 – When you see your friends, do you feel energized or drained afterward? 

92 – Describe something about your parent’s relationship that you admire. 

93 – How do you feel about the representation of romance in movies? 

94 – What’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever been given? 

95 – What is something you love about yourself?

96 – What is your favorite fictional romance?

97 – How do you make yourself feel better when you’re disappointed or feeling down? 

98 – How do you feel about the amount of time you get to spend with your partner, friends, and family at the moment?

99 – As a teenager, what did you think marriage would look like? 

100 – What is your love language? Do you think it is an accurate representation of you?

101 – What are your top needs in a relationship? What are your ‘deal breakers’ in a relationship?

102 – Describe your ideal friend group.

103 – What do you do in order to show yourself love? 

104 – If you could plan the perfect date, what would it look like? 

105 – When you hear the words ‘self-care’ what do you think?

106 – What do you currently do that you feel is self-care?

107 – If you were to think about your ‘cup’ how full is it right now?

108 – When your ‘cup’ is empty, you feel…

109 – When your ‘cup’ is full, you feel…

110 – In the past, you have avoided self-care because…

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

111 – You feel most like yourself when you…

112 – One of the things you love about yourself is…

113 – You make yourself a priority by…

114 – You are proud of yourself for…

115 – When you feel disconnected from yourself, you can reconnect by…

116 – Write down every positive thing you can think of about yourself…

117 – When you spend time alone , how do you feel?

118 – Describe three things you love to do for yourself…

119 – What are your core values in yourself and your life?

120 – What are you motivated by?

121 – Your current self-care mantra is…

122 – When you practice self-care, you want to feel…

123 – You are the best version of yourself when…

124 – The biggest priorities in your life right now are…

125 – You feel most in control when you…

126 – You feel calm and at ease when you…

127 – The thoughts that are currently running around your head are…

128 – If you could change one thing about how you feel about yourself it would be…

129 – When you look at yourself in the mirror, you feel…

130 – One of the most unique things about you is…

131 – One of the things you actually really love about yourself is…

132 – You believe in yourself because…

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

133 – When you think back on the days you are happiest, this is what you are doing…

134 – When you wake up of a morning, you wish you could just…

135 – One fear you wish you could overcome is…

136 – When you hear the words ‘Dream Life’ you think…

137 – When you think about your perfect day, it looks like…

138 – Describe your dream career…. 

139 – If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live _______, because….

140 – The one thing I feel that is stopping me from living my dream life is…

141 – When I leave this life, I want my legacy to be…

142 – If I could pinpoint one thing that is missing from my life, it would be…

143 – Who do you feel is the lead decision-maker in your life?

144 – You choose to surround yourself with people who love and support you. Who are they and why? 

145 – What is one habit you wish you could include in your day and why? 

146 – What is challenging you the most in life right now? 

147 – Do you feel like you are moving towards your goal at a pace you are happy with? 

148 – What is the biggest hurdle you need to overcome in order to achieve your goals? How can you overcome it? 

149 – Who do you feel gives you the most support in your life right now? 

150 – What is one aspect of your personality that you believe will help you to live your dream life? 

151 – What will it mean for you when you are living your dream life? 

152 – How do you know when you are truly happy? What does it look and feel like to you?

153 – What is a belief you have that you feel limits you from achieving your dream life? 

154 – What is one thing you could do right now to move you one step close to living your dream life? 

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

155 – What makes you truly, to the core happy? 

156 – When do you feel most at peace?

157 – How does your current home make you feel?

158 – How do you feel about your life right now?

159 – What is one thing you would/could change in your life to make you happier?

160 – If you could live the perfect day, what would it look like?

161 – What is something you’ve always wanted to do in your life?

162 – Describe your relationship with money.

163 – What is the earliest memory you have of money?

164 – What is the money story from your childhood?

165 – Who taught you about money? 

166 – When you look at the balance of your bank account, how do you feel? 

167 – What does it look like to not have enough money?

168 – What would it look like to live a rich life? 

169 – Do you believe there is an endless supply of money?

170 – Why do you feel you are in your current financial situation?

171 – Do you want to change your current financial situation? Why?

172 -What would your life look like if you didn’t have to worry about money? 

173 – What is your biggest money ‘worry’ right now? 

174 – Has anyone ever made you feel not good enough because of money? Describe that situation. 

175 – What are your current financial goals ?

176 – What financial goals have you had in the past that you have achieved?

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

177 – What is the biggest money lesson you’ve learned? 

178 – Do you like money? Do you think money is good or bad? 

179 – Do you believe that having more money changes people? If so, how?

180 – Do you feel confident with your understanding of your current money situation?

181 – If you had enough money, you would no longer…

182 – Describe a day in your life where you felt rich and abundant

183 – What is the least helpful piece of money advice you’ve ever been given? 

184 – What words come to mind when you think about yourself?

185 – What is making you happy right now?

186 – What is making you sad/unhappy in your life at the moment?

187 – Does your life look like you thought it would?

188 – What is one of your big life goals?

189 – Do you actually believe you’ll achieve your goals?

190 – When you were young, were you supported to achieve your goals?

191 – Do you feel like you have the starring role in your own life?

192 – Are you happy right now?

193 – What would you say your core values as a person and in life are?

194 – What do you consider your strengths to be?

195 – What’s one thing you absolutely love about yourself?

196 – What would you change about your life right now? What’s stopping you from changing it?

197 – When something is worrying you, what do you do about it? How do you manage your worry?

198 – What legacy do you want your life to have? 

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

199 – How does spending time alone make you feel?

200 – In regards to knowing yourself, what would you like to learn about or discover?

201 – Do you ever feel anxious? What are your triggers and how do you manage these anxious moments?

202 – What do you do for fun, that makes you feel pure joy? 

203 – What do you feel your role in this world is? 

204 – What is a daily habit you have that you want to change?

205 – How do you feel about the relationships in your life right now? 

206 – Do you feel like you have the right people around you to support you and help you achieve your goals?

207 – What do you do to help you feel calm, grounded, and at peace?

208 – What is blocking you from living a life you absolutely love right now? 

209 – What is currently on your mind? Brain dump everything.

210 – How do you feel about the world as a whole right now?

211 – Right now, at this moment, do you love yourself?

212 – What do you know today that you didn’t know 1 year ago?

213 – What emotions are you feeling at the moment? 

214 – How does your body feel right now? 

215 – Describe the last time you felt so joyful, light, and carefree.

216 – Who do you trust the most? Why?

217 – What is something you struggle to understand about yourself? 

218 – What is something you struggle to understand about the world?

219 – If you could change one thing in the world right now what would it be? 

220 – Do you feel comfortable when you feel your emotions or do you try to ‘get over’ them quickly? Why? 

221 – What are 3 simple things that bring you the most amount of joy? 

222 – What do you do to help you stay focused on a goal?

Hopefully this list has given you a great start to your journaling practice and helps you in self discovery and learning more about yourself.

When you don't know what to journal, here are 222 journaling prompts to help you get to know yourself.

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365 Creative Writing Prompts

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Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to help inspire you to write every single day! Use them for journaling, story starters, poetry, and more!

365 creative writing prompts

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If you want to become a better writer, the best thing you can do is practice writing every single day. Writing prompts are useful because we know sometimes it can be hard to think of what to write about!

To help you brainstorm, we put together this list of 365 creative writing prompts to give you something to write about daily.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire:

Whether you write short stories, poems, or like to keep a journal – these will stretch your imagination and give you some ideas for topics to write about!

1. Outside the Window : What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?

2. The Unrequited love poem: How do you feel when you love someone who does not love you back?

3. The Vessel: Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.

4. Dancing: Who’s dancing and why are they tapping those toes?

5. Food: What’s for breakfast? Dinner? Lunch? Or maybe you could write a poem about that time you met a friend at a cafe.

6. Eye Contact: Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.

7. The Rocket-ship: Write about a rocket-ship on its way to the moon or a distant galaxy far, far, away.

rocket ship writing prompt

8. Dream-catcher : Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.

9. Animals: Choose an animal. Write about it!

10. Friendship: Write about being friends with someone.

11. Dragon : Envision a dragon. Do you battle him? Or is the dragon friendly? Use descriptive language.

12. Greeting : Write a story or poem that starts with the word “hello” or another greeting.

13. The Letter: Write a poem or story using words from a famous letter or inspired by a letter someone sent you.

14. The Found Poem : Read a book and circle some words on a page. Use those words to craft a poem. Alternatively, you can cut out words and phrases from magazines.

15. Eavesdropper : Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you’ve overheard.

16. Addict: Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are things you can’t go without?

17. Dictionary Definition : Open up a dictionary to a random word. Define what that word means to you.

dictionary success

18. Cleaning: Hey, even writers and creative artists have to do housework sometimes. Write about doing laundry, dishes, and other cleaning activities.

19. Great Minds: Write  about someone you admire and you thought to have had a beautiful mind.

20. Missed Connections: If you go to Craigslist, there is a “Missed Connections” section where you can find some interesting storylines to inspire your writing.

21. Foreclosure : Write a poem or short story about someone who has lost or is about to lose their home.

22. Smoke, Fog, and Haze: Write about not being able to see ahead of you.

23. Sugar: Write something so sweet, it makes your teeth hurt.

24. Numbers:  Write a poem or journal entry about numbers that have special meaning to you.

25. Dread: Write about doing something you don’t want to do.

26. Fear: What scares you a little? What do you feel when scared? How do you react?

27. Closed Doors: What’s behind the door? Why is it closed?

creative journal prompt ideas

28. Shadow: Imagine you are someone’s shadow for a day.

29. Good Vibes: What makes you smile? What makes you happy?

30. Shopping:  Write about your shopping wishlist and how you like to spend money.

31. The Professor: Write about a teacher that has influenced you.

32. Rewrite : Take any poem or short story you enjoy. Rewrite it in your own words.

33. Jewelry: Write about a piece of jewelry. Who does it belong to?

34. Sounds : Sit outside for about an hour. Write down the sounds you hear.

35. War and Peace: Write about a recent conflict that you dealt with in your life.

36. Frame It: Write a poem or some phrases that would make for good wall art in your home.

37. Puzzle: Write about putting together the pieces of puzzles.

38. Fire-starters: Write about building a fire.

39. Coffee & Tea: Surely you drink one or the other or know someone who does- write about it!

40. Car Keys: Write about someone getting their driver’s license for the first time.

41. What You Don’t Know: Write about a secret you’ve kept from someone else or how you feel when you know someone is keeping a secret from you.

42. Warehouse : Write about being inside an old abandoned warehouse.

warehouse writing prompt

43. The Sound of Silence: Write about staying quiet when you feel like shouting.

44. Insult: Write about being insulted. How do you feel? Why do you think the other person insulted you?

45. Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you? What might the mirror say?

46. Dirty: Write a poem about getting covered in mud.

47. Light Switch : Write about coming out of the dark and seeing the light.

48. The Stars : Take inspiration from a night sky. Or, write about a time when “the stars aligned” in your horoscope.

writing prompt star idea

49. Joke Poem : What did the wall say to the other wall? Meet you at the corner! Write something inspired by a favorite joke.

50. Just Say No : Write about the power you felt when you told someone no.

51: Sunrise/Sunset : The sun comes up, the sun goes down. It goes round and round. Write something inspiring about the sunrise or sunset.

52. Memory Lane : What does Memory Lane look like? How do you get there?

53. Tear-Jerker : Watch a movie that makes you cry. Write about that scene in the movie.

54. Dear Diary: Write a poem or short story about a diary entry you’ve read or imagined.

55. Holding Hands : The first time you held someone’s hand.

56. Photograph : Write a story or journal entry influenced by a photograph you see online or in a magazine.

57. Alarm Clock: Write about waking up.

58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.

59. Refreshed: Write a poem about a time you really felt refreshed and renewed. Maybe it was a dip into a pool on a hot summer day, a drink of lemonade, or other situation that helped you relax and start again.

60. Handle With Care : Write about a very fragile or delicate object.

61. Drama: Write about a time when you got stuck in between two parties fighting with each other.

62. Slip Up: Write about making mistakes.

63. Spice: Write about flavors and tastes or a favorite spice of yours.

64. Sing a New Song: Take a popular song off the radio and rewrite it as a poem in your own words.

65. Telephone: Write about a phone call you recently received.

66. Name: Write a poem or short story using your name in some way or form.

67. Dollhouse: Write a poem or short story from the viewpoint of someone living in a doll house.

68. Random Wikipedia Article : Go to Wikipedia and click on Random Article . Write about whatever the page you get.

69. Silly Sports: Write about an extreme or silly sport. If none inspire you, make up the rules for your own game.

70. Recipe : Write about a recipe for something abstract, such as a feeling.

71. Famous Artwork: Choose a famous painting and write about it.

72. Where That Place Used to Be : Think of a place you went to when you were younger but it now no longer there or is something else. Capture your feelings about this in your writing.

73. Last Person You Talked to: Write a quick little poem or story about the last person you spoke with.

74. Caught Red-Handed: Write about being caught doing something embarrassing.

75. Interview: Write a list of questions you have for someone you would like to interview, real or fictional.

76. Missing You: Write about someone you miss dearly.

77. Geography: Pick a state or country you’ve never visited. Write about why you would or would not like to visit that place.

geography writing prompt

78. Random Song: Turn on the radio, use the shuffle feature on your music collection or your favorite streaming music service. Write something inspired by the first song you hear.

79. Hero: Write a tribute to someone you regard as a hero.

80. Ode to Strangers: Go people watching and write an ode to a stranger you see on the street.

81. Advertisement: Advertisements are everywhere, aren’t they? Write using the slogan or line from an ad.

82. Book Inspired: Think of your favorite book. Now write a poem that sums up the entire story in 10 lines.

83. Magic : Imagine you have a touch of magic, and can make impossible things happen. What would you do?

84. Fanciest Pen: Get out your favorite pen, pencils, or even colored markers and write using them!

85. A Day in the Life: Write about your daily habits and routine.

86. Your Muse: Write about your muse – what do they look like? What does your muse do to inspire you?

87. Convenience Store : Write about an experience you’ve had at a gas station or convenience store.

88. Natural Wonders of the World: Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.

89. Status Update: Write a poem using the words from your latest status update or a friend’s status update. If you don’t use sites like Facebook or Twitter, you can often search online for some funny ones to use as inspiration.

90. Green Thumb: Write about growing something.

91. Family Heirloom: Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.

92. Bug Catcher: Write about insects.

93. Potion: Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?

94. Swinging & Sliding: Write something inspired by a playground or treehouse.

95. Adjectives: Make a list of the first 5 adjectives that pop into your head. Use these 5 words in your story, poem, or journal entry.

96. Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

97. Whispers: Write about someone who has to whisper a secret to someone else.

98. Smile: Write a poem about the things that make you smile.

99. Seasonal: Write about your favorite season.

100.  Normal: What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal?

101. Recycle : Take something you’ve written in the past and rewrite it into a completely different piece.

102. Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what’s currently in your closet or drawers.

103. Secret Message : Write something with a secret message hidden in between the words. For example, you could make an acrostic poem using the last letters of the word or use secret code words in the poem.

104. Vacation: Write about a vacation you took.

105. Heat: Write about being overheated and sweltering.

106. Spellbinding: Write a magic spell.

107. Collection : Write about collecting something, such as salt shakers, sea shells, or stamps.

108. Taking Chances: Everyone takes a risk at some point in their life. Write about a time when you took a chance and what the result was.

109. Carnival: Write a poem or story or journal entry inspired by a carnival or street fair.

110. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

111: Questions: Write about questions you have for the universe. Optional: include an answer key.

112. Rushing: Write about moving quickly and doing things fast.

113. Staircase : Use a photo of a staircase or the stairs in your home or a building you love to inspire you.

114. Neighbors: Make up a story or poem about your next door neighbor.

115. Black and Blue: Write about a time you’ve been physically hurt.

116. All Saints: Choose a saint and create a poem about his or her life.

117. Beach Inspired: What’s not to write about the beach?

118. Shoes: What kind of shoes do you wear? Where do they lead your feet?

119. The Ex: Write a poem to someone who is estranged from you.

120. My Point of View: Write in the first person point of view.

121. Stray Animal: Think of the life of a stray cat or dog and write about that.

122. Stop and Stare : Create a poem or story about something you could watch forever.

123. Your Bed: Describe where you sleep each night.

124. Fireworks : Do they inspire you or do you not like the noise and commotion? Write about it.

125. Frozen: Write about a moment in your life you wish you could freeze and preserve.

126. Alone : Do you like to be alone or do you like having company?

127. Know-it-all: Write about something you are very knowledgeable about, for example a favorite hobby or passion of yours.

128. The Promise: Write about a promise you’ve made to someone. Did you keep that promise?

129. Commotion: Write about being overstimulated by a lot of chaos.

130. Read the News Today : Construct a poem or story using a news headline for your first line.

131. Macro: Write a description of an object close-up.

132. Transportation : Write about taking your favorite (or least-favorite) form of transportation.

133. Gadgets: If you could invent a gadget, what would it do? Are there any gadgets that make your life easier?

134: Bring on the Cheese: Write a tacky love poem that is so cheesy, it belongs on top of a pizza.

135. Ladders: Write a story or poem that uses ladders as a symbol.

136. Bizarre Holiday : There is a bizarre holiday for any date! Look up a holiday for today’s date and create a poem in greeting card fashion or write a short story about the holiday to celebrate.

137. Blog-o-sphere : Visit your favorite blog or your feedreader and craft a story, journal entry, or poem based on the latest blog post you read.

138. Mailbox: Create a poem, short story, or journal entry based on a recent item of mail you’ve received.

139. Sharing : Write about sharing something with someone else.

140. Cactus: Write from the viewpoint of a cactus. What’s it like to live in the desert or have a prickly personality?

141. It’s a Sign : Have you seen any interesting road signs lately?

142. Furniture: Write about a piece of furniture in your home.

143. Failure: Write about a time you failed at something. Did you try again or give up completely?

144. Mystical Creatures: Angels or other mystical creatures – use them as inspiration.

145. Flying: Write about having wings and what you would do.

146. Clear and Transparent: Write a poem about being able to see-through something.

147. Break the Silence : Record yourself speaking, then write down what you spoke and revise into a short story or poem.

148. Beat: Listen to music with a strong rhythm or listen to drum loops. Write something that goes along with the beat you feel and hear.

149. Color Palette: Search online for color palettes and be inspired to write by one you resonate with.

150. Magazine: Randomly flip to a page in a magazine and write using the first few words you see as an opening line.

151. The Grass is Greener : Write about switching the place with someone or going to where it seems the “grass is greener”.

152. Mind & Body: Write something that would motivate others to workout and exercise.

153. Shaping Up : Write something that makes a shape on the page…ie: a circle, a heart, a square, etc.

154. Twenty-One: Write about your 21st birthday.

155. Aromatherapy: Write about scents you just absolutely love.

156. Swish, Buzz, Pop : Create a poem that uses Onomatopoeia .

157. What Time is It? Write about the time of day it is right now. What are people doing? What do you usually do at this time each day?

158. Party Animal: Have you ever gone to a party you didn’t want to leave? Or do you hate parties? Write about it!

159: Miss Manners : Use the words “please” and “thank you” in your writing.

160. Cliche: Choose a common cliche, then write something that says the same thing but without using the catch phrase.

161. Eco-friendly : Write about going green or an environmental concern you have.

162. Missing You: Write about someone you miss.

163. Set it Free: Think of a time when you had to let someone or something go to be free…did they come back?

164: Left Out : Write about a time when you’ve felt left out or you’ve noticed someone else feeling as if they didn’t belong.

165. Suitcase: Write about packing for a trip or unpacking from when you arrive home.

creative journal prompt ideas

166. Fantasy : Write about fairies, gnomes, elves, or other mythical creatures.

167. Give and Receive : Write about giving and receiving.

168. Baker’s Dozen: Imagine the scents and sights of a bakery and write.

169. Treehouse: Write about your own secret treehouse hideaway.

170.  Risk: Write about taking a gamble on something.

171. Acrostic : Choose a word and write an acrostic poem where every line starts with a letter from the word.

172. Crossword Puzzle: Open up the newspaper or find a crossword puzzle online and choose one of the clues to use as inspiration for your writing.

173. Silver Lining : Write about the good that happens in a bad situation.

174. Gloves: Write about a pair of gloves – what kind of gloves are they? Who wears them and why?

175. All that Glitters: Write about a shiny object.

176. Jealousy: Write with a theme of envy and jealousy.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

177. How Does Your Garden Grow? Write about a flower that grows in an unusual place.

178. Jury Duty : Write a short story or poem that takes place in a courtroom.

179. Gifts: Write about a gift you have given or received.

180. Running: Write about running away from someone or something.

181. Discovery: Think of something you’ve recently discovered and use it as inspiration.

182. Complain:  Write about your complaints about something.

183. Gratitude: Write a poem or journal entry that is all about things you are thankful for.

184. Chemistry: Choose an element and write a poem or story that uses that word in one of the lines.

185. Applause: Write about giving someone a standing ovation.

186. Old Endings Into New Beginnings:  Take an old poem, story, or journal entry of yours and use the last line and make it the first line of your writing today.

187. Longing: Write  about something you very much want to do.

188. I Am: Write a motivational poem or journal entry about positive traits that make you who you are.

189. Rainbow : What is at the end of a rainbow? Or, take a cue from Kermit the Frog, and ask yourself, why are there so many songs about rainbows?

end of the rainbow writing idea

190. Museum: Take some time to visit a nearby museum with your journal. Write about one of the pieces that speaks to you.

191. Cartoon: Think of your favorite cartoon or comic. Write a poem or story that takes place in that setting.

192. Copycat: Borrow a line from a famous public domain poem to craft your own.

193. From the Roof-tops:  Imagine you could stand on a rooftop and broadcast a message to everyone below – what would you say?

194. Time Travel: If there was a time period you could visit for a day, where would you go? Write about traveling back in time to that day.

195. Changing Places: Imagine living the day as someone else.

196. Neighborhood: Write about your favorite place in your neighborhood to visit and hang out at.

197. Pirates: Write about a pirate ship.

198. Interview : Write based on a recent interview you’ve read or seen on TV or heard on the radio.

199.  Hiding Spaces : Write about places you like to hide things at. What was a favorite hiding spot for you as a child playing hide-and-seek?

200. Extreme Makeover: Imagine how life might be different if you could change your hair color or clothing into something completely opposite from your current style.

201. Empathy: Write about your feelings of empathy or compassion for another person.

202. Opposites: Write a poem or story that ties in together two opposites.

203. Boredom: Write about being bored or make a list of different ways to entertain yourself.

204. Strength : Think of a time when you’ve been physically or emotionally strong and use that as inspiration.

205. Hunger: Write from the perspective of someone with no money to buy food.

206. Greed: Write about someone who always wants more – whether it be money, power, etc. etc.

207. Volcano: Write about an eruption of a volcano.

208. Video Inspiration : Go to Vimeo.com or YouTube.com and watch one of the videos featured on the homepage. Write something based on what you watch.

209. Sneeze: Write about things that make you sneeze.

210. Footsteps on the Moon:  Write about the possibility of life in outer-space.

211: Star-crossed: Write a short modern version of the story of Romeo and Juliet or think of real-life examples of lovers who are not allowed to be together to use as inspiration for your writing.

212. Font-tastic: Choose a unique font and type out a poem, story or journal entry using that font.

213. Schedule: Take a look at your calendar and use the schedule for inspiration in writing.

214. Grandparents: Write about a moment in your grandparent’s life.

215. Collage: Go through a magazine and cut out words that grab your attention. Use these words to construct a poem or as a story starter or inspiration for your journal.

216. Oh so Lonely: Write a poem about what you do when you are alone – do you feel lonely or do you enjoy your own company?

217. Waterfall: Think of a waterfall you’ve seen in person or spend some time browsing photos of waterfalls online. Write about the movement, flow, and energy.

218. First Kiss: Write about your first kiss.

219. So Ironic: Write about an ironic situation you’ve been in throughout your life.

220. Limerick: Write a limerick today.

221. Grocery Shopping: Write about an experience at the grocery store.

daily writing prompt ideas

222. Fashion : Go through a fashion magazine or browse fashion websites online and write about a style you love.

223. So Close: Write about coming close to reaching a goal.

224. Drinks on Me: Write a poem or short story that takes place at a bar.

225. Online Friends: Write an ode to someone online you’ve met and become friends with.

226. Admiration: Is there someone you admire? Write about those feelings.

227. Trash Day: Write from the perspective of a garbage collector.

228. Mailbox: Open your mailbox and write something inspired by one of the pieces of mail you received.

229. Fresh & Clean: Write about how you feel after you take a shower.

230. Energized: Write about how you feel when you’re either at a high or low energy level for the day.

231. Rhyme & No Reason: Make up a silly rhyming poem using made up words.

232. Tech Support: Use computers or a conversation with tech support you’ve had as inspiration.

233. Hotel: Write from the perspective of someone who works at a hotel or staying at a hotel.

234. Underwater: Write about sea creatures and under water life. What’s under the surface of the ocean? What adventures might be waiting?

underwater life picture

235. Breathing: Take a few minutes to do some deep breathing relaxation techniques. Once your mind is clear, just write the first few things that you think of.

236. Liar, Liar: Make up a poem or story of complete lies about yourself or someone else.

237. Obituaries: Look at the recent obituaries online or in the newspaper and imagine the life of someone and write about that person.

238. Pocket: Rummage through your pockets and write about what you keep or find in your pockets.

239. Cinquain: Write a cinquain poem, which consists of 5 lines that do not rhyme.

240. Alphabetical: Write a poem that has every letter of the alphabet in it.

241.  Comedy Club: Write something inspired by a comedian.

242. Cheater: Write about someone who is unfaithful.

243. Sestina: Give a try to writing a sestina poem.

244. Fight: Write about witnessing two people get in an argument with each other.

245. Social Network : Visit your favorite Social Networking website (ie: Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Twitter, etc.) and write a about a post you see there.

246. Peaceful: Write about something peaceful and serene.

247. In the Clouds: Go cloud watching for the day and write about what you imagine in the clouds.

248. At the Park: Take some time to sit on a park bench and write about the sights, scenes, and senses and emotions you experience.

249. Sonnet: Write a sonnet today.

250. Should, Would, And Could: Write a poem or story using the words should, would, and could.

251. How to: Write directions on how to do something.

252. Alliteration: Use alliteration in your poem or in a sentence in a story.

253. Poker Face: Write about playing a card game.

254. Timer: Set a timer for 5 minutes and just write. Don’t worry about it making sense or being perfect.

255. Dance: Write about a dancer or a time you remember dancing.

256. Write for a Cause: Write a poem or essay that raises awareness for a cause you support.

257. Magic : Write about a magician or magic trick.

258. Out of the Box: Imagine finding a box. Write about opening it and what’s inside.

259. Under the Influence: What is something has impacted you positively in your life?

260. Forgotten Toy : Write from the perspective a forgotten or lost toy.

261. Rocks and Gems: Write about a rock or gemstone meaning.

262. Remote Control: Imagine you can fast forward and rewind your life with a remote control.

263. Symbolism: Think of objects, animals, etc. that have symbolic meaning to you. Write about it.

264. Light at the End of the Tunnel: Write about a time when you saw hope when it seemed like a hopeless situation.

265. Smoke and Fire : “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Use this saying as inspiration to write!

266. Railroad: Write about a train and its cargo or passengers.

creative journal prompt ideas

267. Clipboard: Write about words you imagine on an office clipboard.

268. Shipwrecked: Write about being stranded somewhere – an island, a bus stop, etc.

269. Quotable: Use a popular quote from a speaker and use it as inspiration for your writing.

270. Mind   Map it Out: Create a mind map of words, phrases, and ideas that pop into your head or spend some time browsing the many mind maps online. Write a poem, story, or journal entry inspired by the mind map.

271. Patterns : Write about repeating patterns that occur in life.

272. Scrapbook : Write about finding a scrapbook and the memories it contains.

273. Cure: Write about finding a cure for an illness.

274. Email Subject Lines: Read your email today and look for subject lines that may be good starters for writing inspiration.

275. Wishful Thinking: Write about a wish you have.

276. Doodle : Spend some time today doodling for about 5-10 minutes. Write about the thoughts you had while doodling or create something inspired by your finished doodle.

277. Chalkboard: Imagine you are in a classroom. What does it say on the chalkboard?

278. Sticky: Imagine a situation that’s very sticky, maybe even covered in maple syrup, tape or glue. Write about it!

279. Flashlight : Imagine going somewhere very dark with only a flashlight to guide you.

280. A Far Away Place : Envision yourself traveling to a fictional place, what do you experience in your imaginary journey?

281. On the Farm : Write about being in a country or rural setting.

282. Promise to Yourself: Write about a promise you want to make to yourself and keep.

283. Brick Wall : Write a poem that is about a brick wall – whether literal or figurative.

284. Making a Choice: Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice.

285.  Repeat: Write about a time when you’ve had to repeat yourself or a time when it felt like no one was listening.

286. Outcast : Write about someone who is not accepted by their peers. (for example, the Ugly Ducking)

287. Scary Monsters: Write about a scary (or not-so-scary) monster in your closet or under the bed.

288. Sacrifice: Write about something you’ve sacrificed doing to do something else or help another person.

289. Imperfection: Create a poem that highlights the beauty in being flawed.

290. Birthday Poem: Write a poem inspired by birthdays.

291. Title First : Make a list of potential poem or story titles and choose one to write from.

292. Job Interview : Write about going on a job interview.

293. Get Well : Write a poem that will help someone who is sick feel better quick!

294. Lost in the Crowd: Write about feeling lost in the crowd.

295. Apple a Day: Write about a health topic that interests you.

296. Cravings: Write about craving something.

297. Phobia: Research some common phobias, choose one, and write about it.

298. In the Moment: Write about living in the present moment.

299. Concrete : Write about walking down a sidewalk and what you see and experience.

300. Battle: Write about an epic battle, whether real, fictional or figurative.

301. This Old House : Write about an old house that is abandoned or being renovated.

302. Clutter: Is there a cluttered spot in your home? Go through some of that clutter today and write about what you find or the process of organizing.

303. Go Fly a Kite: Write about flying a kite.

304. On the TV: Flip to a random TV channel and write about the first thing that comes on – even if it is an infomercial!

305. Fruit: Write an ode to your favorite fruit.

306. Long Distance Love: Write about a couple that is separated by distance.

307. Glasses: Write about a pair of eyeglasses or someone wearing glasses.

308. Robotic : Write about a robot.

309. Cute as a Button: Write about something you think is just adorable.

310. Movie Conversation: Use a memorable conversation from a favorite movie to inspire your writing.

311. Easy-Peasy : Write  about doing something effortlessly.

312. Idiom: Choose from a list of idioms one that speaks to you and create a poem around that saying or phrase. (Ie: It is raining cats and dogs)

313. Playground: Whether it is the swings or the sandbox or the sliding boards, write about your memories of being on a playground.

314. Romance: Write about romantic things partners can do for each other.

315. Rock Star: Imagine you are a famous rock star. Write about the experience.

rock star life

316. Come to Life: Imagine ordinary objects have come to life. Write about what they do and say.

317. Airplane: Write about meeting someone on an airplane and a conversation you might have.

318. Health & Beauty: Take some time to peruse your medicine cabinet or the health and beauty aisles at a local store. Write a poem, short story, or journal entry inspired by a product label.

319. Determination: Write about not giving up.

320. Instrumental Inspiration: Listen to some instrumental music and write a poem that matches the mood, beat, and style of the music.

321. Wait Your Turn: Write about having to wait in line.

322. Personality Type : Do you know your personality type? (There are many free quizzes online) – write about what type of personality traits you have.

323. Decade: Choose a favorite decade and write about it. (IE: 1980’s or 1950’s for example)

324. I Believe: Write your personal credo of things you believe in.

325. Lost and Found: Write about a lost object.

326. Say it: Write a poem or story that uses dialogue between two people.

327. The Unsent Letter: Write about a letter that never made it to its recipient.

328. The Windows of the Soul: Write a poem about the story that is told through someone’s eyes.

329. Trial and Error: Write about something you learned the hard way.

330. Escape : Write about where you like to go to escape from it all.

331. What’s Cooking: Write something inspired a favorite food or recipe.

332. Records : Go through your file box and pull out old receipts or records…write something inspired by what you find!

333. Banking: Write about visiting the bank.

334. Sweet Talk: Write about trying to convince someone of something.

335. Serendipity: Write about something that happened by chance in a positive way.

336. Distractions: Write about how it feels when you can’t focus.

337. Corporation: Write about big business.

338. Word of the Day: Go to a dictionary website that has a word of the day and use it in a poem, story or journal entry you write.

339. Pick Me Up:  What do you do when you need a pick me up?

340. Unfinished: Write about a project you started but never completed.

341. Forgiveness: Write about a time when someone forgave you or you forgave someone.

342. Weakness: Write about your greatest weakness.

343. Starting: Write about starting a project.

344. Mechanical: Think of gears, moving parts, machines.

345. Random Act of Kindness : Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone or someone has done for you, no matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed.

346. Underground: Imagine living in a home underground and use that as inspiration for writing.

347. Classic Rock: Pick a classic rock love ballad and rewrite it into a story or poem with a similar theme.

348. Night Owl : Write about staying up late at night.

349. Magnetic : Write about attraction to something or someone.

350. Teamwork: Write about working with a team towards a common goal.

351. Roller-coaster : Write about the ups and downs in life.

352. Motivational Poster: Look at some motivational posters online and write a poem or journal entry inspired by your favorite one.

353. Games: Write about the games people play – figuratively or literally.

chess game story starter

354. Turning Point: Write about a point in life where things turned for the better or worse.

355. Spellbound: Write about a witch’s spell.

356. Anniversary: Write about the anniversary of a special date.

357. Gamble:  Be inspired by a casino or lottery ticket.

358. Picnic: Write about going on a picnic.

359. Garage: Write about some random item you might find in a garage.

360. Review: Review your week, month, or year in a journal entry or poem format.

361. Detective: Write about a detective searching for clues or solving a mystery.

362. Camera: Take your camera for a walk and write based on one of the photographs you take.

363. Visiting : Write about visiting a family member or friend.

364. Trust: Write about putting trust in someone.

365. Congratulations : Did you write a poem, short story, or journal entry every day for a whole year? Write about what you’ve learned and celebrate your achievement!

We hope you enjoy these creative writing prompts! And of course, if you write anything using these prompts, we’d love to know about it! Tell us how you’ll use these everyday creative writing prompts in the comments section below!

And of course, if you’d like the printable ad-free version of these prompts to reference again and again or to use in your classroom, you can find them at our Etsy shop !

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Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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191 comments.

I have been on a reading binge since being on vacation from school. By rereading Little House, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women among others, one wonders about writing a book. I stumbled across this while looking up unit supplements for my kiddos, and thought, hey, write a page a day and see what happens! Thank you for this collection of prompts! I’ve linked back to this page several times so others can try their hand at writing. Thank you again!

The Flicker, The Teeth, and A Warehouse in the Dark (the warehouse prompt)

I am in a large abandoned warehouse with a flickering light The only light in the whole room. It flickered leaving me in temporal darkness It flickered again and as it was dark I swore I saw something glowing It looked like glowing teeth The lights return and I see nothing Flickers on Flickers off I see the teeth closer Flickers on I see nothing Flickers off The teeth so close Flickers on An empty warehouse Flickers off The glowing teeth are inchings away bright red blood drips from their tips Flickers on Panic rises in my chest but nothing is there Turns off The mouth of bloody teeth is before my eyes I wait for the light to flicker back on I wait in complete darkness I wait And wait And wait The teeth open wide I try to scream by the darkness swallows it A hear the crunch of my bones I see my blood pore down my chest But I wait in darkness for the pain I wait And wait And wait The mouth of teeth devours my lower half I wait for pain and death I wait And wait And wait The light flickers on I see no monster Only my morphed body And blood And blood And blood And so much blood The light flickers off The monster eats my arm Flickers on I wait for pain Flickers off I watch as the creature eats my limbs Flickers on I wait for death Flickers off Slowly the teeth eat my head All I see is dark I wait for it to flicker on Where is the warehouse light? Where is the only light in the room? Where is the flicker? Where am I? Where are the bloody teeth? I wait for the light to come back And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait in eternal darkness

WOW. Thank you!

This is such a helpful tool! I’ve learned a lot about my self through picking a random prompt and writing the first thing that comes to mind. I’d love to see a follow up list of possible! Definitely a recomended sight!

I agree. Very helpful.

I am new at the blogging game. You have provided some wonderful ideas for blog posts. Great ideas just to get used to writing every day. Thanks

This list is really impressive and useful for those of us who are looking for good topics to blog about. Thanks!

Thank you! That somes in handy

Very nice list. Thanks for compiling and posting it. It’s not only good for bloggers, but poets, as well.

yess im using it for my new years resolution, which is to write a poem daily!

Wow, thanks so much for all these wonderful prompts! They are lots of fun and very helpful. I love how you’ve provided 365 of them–A prompt for every day of the year! 🙂

Not if it’s a leap year…

Haha. Yea. This is great though all the same.. ;-;

Lol actually there’s 364 days in a year and 365 in a leap year so……yeah

are you fucking stupid

There are actually 366 days in a leap year so… yeah

I use this for my homeschooling-I love it! Thank you so much!! This is a wonderful list. So creative! 🙂 🙂

Thanks! I’m preparing for writing every day next year and this will come in really handy. It’s just 364 writing prompts though. 164 is missing. 😉

MiMschi is wrong 164 is there i looked

I think they meant that as a joke, 164 is called left out…

Good it is useful

no its not you nonce

You Don’t Love Me, Damn You

things left unsaid

and then some

anger strangles the baby

in its crib,

flowers wilt,

rivers dry up

harsh words clatter upon the day,

echo unfortunately

till silence smothers

in its embrace

you wish you could take it back

what’s done is done

never to be undone

though things move on

part of you remains

locked in the middle of protesting

one last thing,

mouth open,

no words emerging

why must you be misunderstood?

why must everything you say

no way of straightening things out

gestures halted mid-air

an accusatory finger

shoulders locked

in sardonic shrug

dishes smash on the floor

spray of fragments

frozen mid-air

slam the door

it doesn’t open

but in spite of yourself

you turn and look

one last time…..

(Greg Cameron, Poem, Surrey, B.C., Canada)

Love these. Thank you!

This is really amazingly deep. I love it so much. You have so much talent!!

Thanks SOOO much for the prompts but I have another suggestion!

A Recipe for disaster- write a recipe for a disastrous camping trip…

that one sounds awesome.

Haha. Reminds me of the old twin’s show.. what was it.. where the two girls switch places when they meet at camp?

Pretty sure I know what you’re talking about. The Parent Trap, right? Never seen the whole movie, but it seems funny.

and also #309, everyone should have thought of a hamster “write” away XD!

May I have permission to use this list at my next Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers meeting. Thank you for consideration.

Hi Leah, please send some more info here: https://thinkwritten.com/contact

i am using it for my homeschooling and i love it

i am using it for my homeschooling

where is prompt 165?

sorry I meant 164, my mistake.

well kay, there is a 164 AND 165. So your head is clearly ????????????

What I like most about these is how you can combine them and get really weird ideas. For example, empathy from the rooftops: what if you shouted something positive in public every day – or if everyone did so? It might be fun to try, and then write a diary about it. Online time travel: if people could live virtually in incredibly well=constructed versions of different time periods, what would the effects be on today’s society? Could it change our language or customs?

It would be cool if we could have goggles that showed places during a certain time period. Like Seattle 1989. And you could buy special plugins, like specific people you want to hang out with, famous or non.

That one about online time travel is crazy brilliant!!! And highly thought-provoking.

It is amazing what creative writing could do to you. Daily prompts have proven to be very inspiring and overtime writers develop their own style of writing depending on how passionate they are about it. I would love to write about all 3, online, space, and time travel. cheers! and Don’t stop writing!

I belong to a writing club. We seem to have a lot of prompts to use. I love stories having to do with rain. Would you join me. I am jim

Wow! Inspiration right here.

May I use this list for a speech at my Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers?

Love the inspiration

THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THANK YOU.

What about a leap year? You’re missing one topic.

Wonderful! I love writing and these prompts are very helpful. Thank you very much! ♥

It’s been really useful in getting me to write again! Thank you very much!

I really love the list of writing ideas you have compiled here. I will be using it and others to get myself back into writing every single day if I can be away with it. Also, I have noticed a few problems with this list. One is a repeat topic. Those are numbers 76 and 162. And you skipped a number. And have only 364 days of writing. Still through! All these ideas are absolutely amazing and awesome ideas! I commend you for putting it all together in an easy to read format too. Thank you so very much.

I think we have the list all fixed now, but thanks for catching a couple of early mistakes!

Thank you for helping me edit Lora! I don’t always have a second pair of eyes + appreciated this to fix + update the post! I always say my readers are my best editors. 🙂

these days get brighter, mine gets darker, why does it has to be me , why not life.

Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you?

u r awesome man

Wonderful compilation of ideas! I will send your blog along to my many Creative Writing students. I’m enjoying reading your posts.

wow!! great tips! but how long did it take you to write that? its a lot of words!! lol great stuff though..

This is so cool! I love these prompts and will definitely recommend some to my teacher!!

The promise “I made a promise with my best friend, I said i’d never break, Our personalities really did blend, But then I lied awake, The people disappearing, Her gaze was always leering. I never thought she was serious, I always took it as a joke, But it really made me curious, When she was digging around that oak, My best friend is a serial killer, And i knew the truth, My life turned into a thriller, And eating at me took away my youth, I couldn’t take it any long living with this weight, To the police I went to tell my tale, Looking at me with eyes of hate, she smiled and said, without her I would fail. Now i sit in the prison cell, Waiting for my call My friend across the room smiling, my eyes begin to swell, My neck snapping on the, from my sides my hands fall

Although my writing style is dark, that’s the way I enjoy writing, and thank you for this list, even though I didn’t do one per day, scrolling through I was able to see keywords that formed ideas in my mind

I love this <3 It's amazing :))

These are really nice I absolutely love them.

This is very helpful and I’ve been finding a way to help improve my creative writing!!! Thank you very much!

You are such a life developer, who can virtually transform a life busy with unnecessary activities humans are posted to through internet. And who can restore the appetite of people to purchase pen and paper which have considered the last commodity in the market at the expense of that great vampire ‘social media’ that left both old and young paralyzed. Thanks to the proponent of this great idea.

These are great. The Closed door one gives me a great idea for a new story! Thank you so much!

man what the fuck is this shit! i was looking for short story writing prompts and I get stuck with shit like “write about the weather outside”. Damn this shit is disappointing.

Hi John, the weather might seem boring, but there are a lot of ways you can springboard from that – maybe you write a story about a character who despises the sunshine or melts if they get rained on or they live in a underground tunnel and the house gets flooded…You can also use it as an exercise in developing more descriptive writing that shows, not tells for the scenes in your story. Writing about the weather seems “easy and boring” but seriously challenge yourself to write about it in a way that makes it interesting – it is not so easy to avoid the cliches as you might think!

I LOVE IT SO MUCH i do not know why but my kids, they will just like come on this website every time it is time to have a little bit of video games! XD

The weather outside that day was dark.

It was a perfectly reasonable sort of darkness. The kind of darkness you might get if you wake up an hour before sunrise. But it was late in the morning.

He had to make sure of that. He checked his alarm clock, his microwave oven clock, and his cell phone.

The sun was supposed to be out. But the moonlit sky was starlit and clear.

And as he looked outside again, he saw that people were out, going about their business, as if none of this really mattered at all.

What was he missing here?

(There. Now you have a short story writing prompt..)

You know what “John” i think this website is great so fuck you.

yeah you tell him john

It depends on how you view it. That one topic for instance has given me a beautiful story telling. I am currently about to round up with it and trust me the feedback has been amazing.

That is great! I’m glad it helped inspire you!

Dude kids go on here so stop swearing “John”

Maybe you need to work on improving the quality of your writing. Your use of expletives is totally uncalled for. I see nothing wrong with “writing about the weather outside”. In fact, this is a great topic and can lead to awesome discussions.

Very useful indeed. Thank u

i think this is a good prompted

I think it’s awesome, I looked for inspiration, I found inspiration, thank you

well! i fall in love with all these ideas! i loved this page! thanks for sharing these amazing ideas!

Great stuff mat Keep up the good work

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH IT IS VERY HELPFUL BUT FOR A SUGGESTION YOU COULD DO DIARY STUFF MAYBE

When I read your comment, I thought you said “DAIRY,” not “DIARY.”

So… why not both? Write something based on a dairy farmer’s diary. Or… a dairy COW’S diary. Tell their stories, their private dreams. Or hidden shame…

That’s the way to think + use this list 🙂

Great idea!

Awesome list! Thank you!

Thanks so much! I’ve always been told I’m a great writer and should publish. I haven’t done a lot of leisure writing because I’m afraid I might realize I’m NOT a good writer. My therapist wants me to write more and these prompts are perfect!

This is fun i will keep doing this no matter what every year. I can’t stop writing either. Thanks for making this, it is very fun.

This helps so much! love these ideas

Can this website give me a write on the following topic. –

Imagine that the scientists could replace the human brains with computers or invent the computers with human feelings. What do you think would happen?Would the world become a better place to live in???

I’ve been looking for prompts to work through my creative art/collage journal for 2017…and love the ones you offer here….LOVE THEM! I like that they are more than just one word and give me something to think about before I start creating each day as a warm up to what is ahead.

I hope don’t mind, but I shared them on both Instagram and my FaceBook page in hopes to get my artist/creative friends to follow along with me in creating each day. I would like to include a link to your page in a near future blog post about my creative journal.

Thank you for posting and sharing you prompts…I’m excited to get started!

I’m on number 43 and I’ve already discovered a whole bunch about myself! These prompts are amazing and I can’t wait for the next 322 of them. I’ve recommended this to several of my friends. Totally worth several notebooks chock full of prompts and a years worth of writing 🙂

Very inspiring….

Hello! Is it alright if I add some of these to a little book I’m making for my Grandmother? She hasn’t opened a computer in her life but I know these prompts would do her a world of good. I believe in the importance of asking permission to use the creative property of another person 🙂 Cheers!

Hi Maxx, of course you may share with your grandmother – the only thing we would worry about is if you were to publish them for monetary gain. Enjoy! 🙂

This is really helpful. I’m glad I saw it first. ♥

OMG!! I’ve never been in this website before!!

Thank u so much this was so helpful. Idk how u came up with all thoughts prompts. It was very helpful. Thank u again.

For the first time in a long time it finally felt like I knew was going to happen next. I was gazing into her eyes and she was gazing back. I remember it like it was just yesterday, when she was still the one for me but never forgave me. I miss the sweet sound of her laughter and now all i hear are friends. I have tried to go back and apologize to her just to see if the answer will change but even I know that it will never change because I will never be enough for her. But if she ever decides that she wants me back she can have me because a life without love is one not worth living.

gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

can u give me one using the prompt “normal”

Thanks for this!!!!! Will definitely help me in learning to tap into my creative writing genius 🙂

Thanks, this helped me a lot!

u have a typo!!!! 364

Thanks for pointing out, got it fixed 🙂 Sometimes my brain goes faster than the computer. 🙂

I wrote this, tell me what you think; prompt #4-dancing You see her tapping her toes, always listening to music. Although she doesn’t like the music, what she doesn’t know yet is it will be stuck in her head for the next year. She’s as graceful as a butterfly yet as strong as a fighter. Many only see a pretty face yet those close enough to the fire know the passion burning deep inside of her. At home she’s quiet, always in her room yet making loud noises through the floorboards. Her parents know what she’s up to but her little brothers don’t quite understand yet. All they know is that when she goes up there she’s listening to music and soon she will play it for the whole neighborhood to hear. They don’t know that she’s practicing, practicing for the most important day of the year. The one she’s been waiting for since she’s been a little girl. Tapping her toes at the table only stops when her parents beg her to rest. Even in her dreams she on stage, dancing like a swan. Yet deep down she’s scared of the failure that she will feel if this one day goes a bit to south. Tapping her toes to the beat of her music gives her a bit of pip in her pep when she walks down the halls. No one quite understands the stress she’s going through. Through her smile she’s worries, scared that one misstep might end it all for her. But she won’t let anyone see that she’s nervous. She’s used to getting bruises, she falls on the ground but always gets back up. Because she’s a dancer, the show must go on.

Brilliant. Loved it.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m working on a site in Danish about writing and I would love to translate these awesome prompts into Danish and use it on the site. Would that be OK? I’ll credit with links of course!

Hi Camilla, you cannot copy + post these on your site, but feel free to link to the article – our site is compatible with Google translate 🙂

Hi Camilla, this list cannot be republished, even if translated into another language. However, if you would like to link to our website that would be great, your readers are able to translate it into any language if they use a web browser such as Google Chrome.

My goal is to write all of these prompts before 2018

This is amazing! I am writing for fun and this is a list of amazing prompts!

Ha, Ha . I see what you did , #164 was missing and now it say write about being left out .

Thanks a ton !!!

This link has been really helpful for my blog, loved the ideas.

Thanks for not publishing my email address

You are welcome! We never publish email addresses. If you’d like to learn more about how we collect and use information you may provide us with on this website, you can read more on our privacy policy page. Hope that helps! https://thinkwritten.com/privacy/

I have another suggestion, What about “The Secret Journey to the Unknown”. I reckon it’s awesome!

I was wondering if you could please send new ideas to me, much appreciated thanks.

I love all of these so much and i try to write referring to these at least once everyday thank you so much for these!

Trust, It is a beautiful thing. You give it to others, For them to protect. They can keep it forever, Or they can destroy it.

Wow what a treasure! Am glad I have found the right place to begging my writing journey.Thanks guys

Super awesome! Thanks so much for this collection of writing prompts!!

Today is the last day of the year 2017. I’m proud to say that I was able to complete this challenge. Thank you for the inspiring prompts! 🙂

That is awesome! We might just have to think of some new ones!!

how about one with sports like the NBA

I thought my life was over when I couldn’t access this for a couple weeks. These prompts are excellent. I write two page short stories on one every day. I hope you guys never take down this site but I’m printing these for insurance because it truly was devastating. I’m very emotionally attached to this list. Thank you so much for sharing.

Yes, we did have a small glitch in our hosting services for a few days! Fortunately, it was only temporary and unexpected! {Though I’m sure it did feel like 2 weeks!} Good to hear you are using the prompts!

Very nice article. Very useful one for improving writing skills

Thank you Sid! Glad it is useful for you!

Oh my god.. This is something a different, thought provoking and a yardstick to those who cultivated passion on writing, like me, beginners. Wishes for this website. I really wanted to try this 365 days of writing. Thanks in tons.

Glad you find it helpful! I hope it keeps you inspired to keep growing as a writer!

i love writing too! i am writing a book and this website inspired me too!

i have been writing lots of things and am getting A + on writing

thxs for your time with the web

i am making a epic book. it is because of this website. you really help. i will share a link of my book once i am done with it to your awesome cool really helpful website! thank you for your time

That is great to hear Christopher! Would love to see some of your work when you are ready to share! 🙂

WOOOOOOOOW BEST SITE!

I’m going to write few marvelous essays based on ideas in your impressive list. Thanks!

Just to tell some people that 165 or 164 is not missing because some people probably can’t see but just to let u know that 164 is a prompt called “Left Out”

Dang. The second idea about writing about what it feels like to love someone who doesn’t love you back, I wrote something like that BEFORE I found this website.

You can always try writing it again, maybe from the other person’s perspective this time? That is the beauty of the open-ended writing prompts – you can always interpret them in a way to push and challenge you as a writer!

Thank you for these prompts! I enjoyed looking through them and writing them! They gave me great ideas and inspired me so much.

This is my favorite website to find inspiration to write. I had run out of ideas and i had a huge writers block but this made it all go away. Here’s something i wrote:

He is a mess She is beautiful He has tears streaming down his face She glides across the room as if it were her kingdom And she’s The reigning queen He’s curled up in a ball In the corner of the room He looks at me I wonder what he thinks I can’t take my eyes off her The way she subtly smiles when she realizes Someone is looking She seems to be happy all the time But I can see through the smile It’s my first time noticing It’s not complete That was the first time I wanted to say hi But I thought Why would he look at me? The nerd with all the answers in her head All the books in her hands And Her sleeves full of hearts She looked at me From the corner of her eye She saw me looking The boy with the tear stains She saw me His tears were no longer streaming He had finally stood up Tall and handsome As he is Eyes Bluer than the blue jay that sat outside my bedroom window She had opened a book and started reading She hadn’t changed pages for a while Safe to assume She was distracted She looked up and Without knowing I was in front of her “Hi” Her brown eyes Stared in to my soul Erased the memory of why the tears Were streaming in the first place “Hi”

I love it Cynthia, thank you for sharing and glad that it inspired you to keep writing! 🙂

Thank you for so many amazing ideas! I love the sound of mirror, mirror!

Glad you found it inspiring Ar!

read the whole thing and didn’t find anything I’d enjoy writing 🙁

What kinds of things do you like to write? We have a whole collection of additional writing prompts lists here. Sometimes challenging yourself to write something you don’t like all in its own can be a good exercise for writing. Hope that helps!

These are ingenious!

I love these prompts! They’re inspiring! I’ve chosen to challenge myself by using one of these prompts every day of this 2019 year. I posted my writings for the first prompt on my Tumblr and Facebook pages with the prompt and a link back to this article- I hope that’s alright. If not, I can take it down, or I would love to discuss a way I could continue to do this. I hope more people can see and use these prompts because I have already found joy in using the first one.

Hi Elizabeth! Glad you are enjoying the prompts! You can definitely post what you write with these prompts as long as you do not copy the entire list or claim them as your own. Linking back to our website or this post will help others find the prompts so they too can use them for writing! If you have any questions feel free to contact us anytime using our contact form. Thanks!

Amazing original prompts Thank you so much!

Good list, but you’re not supposed to mistake it’s for its. Not on a website for writers, of all places!

I appreciate your comment, especially because after triple checking the article AND having a few grammar-police personality type friends do the same we could not find any typos. All of the instances of its and it’s are the correct usage.

However, one thing we did remember is that it is very easy for the person reading to accidentally misunderstand and not interpret it the way as the writer intended.

To clarify when we should use it’s vs. its:

We use it’s when we intend the meaning as the contraction. This is a shortened way of writing it is . We use its without an apostrophe when we use it as a possessive noun. Any instances you may note here are correct for their intended meaning.

Some examples:

Prompt #141 It’s a Sign : In this case we intend it to be interpreted as IT IS a Sign , where the usage is a contraction.

Prompt #7 The Rocket Ship : In this case we intend it to be interpreted as the possessive form.

I hope that helps clear up any possible confusion for you!

Thank you soooo much! That helped me a lot!

You’re welcome Keira! Glad you enjoyed our list of writing ideas!

It is so rich in bright and thought-provoking ideas. Thank you so much. Get inspired to have more, please

Thanks for this. I love to write things like this. Some of these though, weren’t as interesting as I wanted it to be, not saying that they aren’t interesting. I like the help you’ve added in, such as being led into a dark room with only a flashlight to help so it gets us started. Great job!

Thanks Maya, I’m glad you like the prompts. Sometimes the prompts that seem boring are the best ones to help you practice your skills as a writer to make them interesting topics. Some of the best writers can make the most mundane topics fun!

Nice….I don’t think I’ll ever lack something to write on … I so appreciate your ideas ..,they are great

Thank you, glad you enjoyed them!

Thank you for providing these writing prompts! They are great!

Thank You so much, these are amazing to start of with to get the creative juices flowing

Thank you very much

Sweet! Thank you so much! I plan to use some of these for some creative writing on CourageousChristianFather.com

I’m glad they inspired you Steve! I always love seeing what everyone writes with these prompts – I really enjoyed your post about the cookie ad jingle! 🙂

Thanks so much for this list. I needed something to kickstart my writing. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I just wrote #1. WooHoo!!

Thank you for your list. This is great!

I write feature articles for our church library’s monthly newsletter. Perusing this list has helped me come up with a couple dozen ideas to consider for future issues! Thanks much for putting this together – it is being used beyond the scope of what you intended, I think!

That’s wonderful Debbie! There are so many ways to apply these prompts to any sort of project – thank you for sharing how you are using them!

Thanks for your prompts, an idea I have for a prompt is write a story based on your favorite story for example I’m writing a fantasy book based on the game dungeons and dragons…

i guss its ok

cgv hbvkd vjvhsvhivhcickbcjh

Just needed to ask: I’d like to think these prompts are for free writing with no pauses? But, does one edit and polish the piece after that? I keep reading about writing every day…like brain dumping. But, there is never a mention of what one does with the piece after that??

This article has been written with sheer intelligence. Such 365 creative writing prompts has been written here. This article is worth marking as Good. I like how you have researched and presented these exact points so clearly.

Thank you for this list! You’ve inspired me to take up the challenge, though I haven’t written anything in years!

I have even created a blog to post my ideas, and keep myself accountable. I hope this is okay, I will credit, and provide a link back to this page on each post. https://thefishhavegotitright.blogspot.com/

I love it Ariadne, I’ll definitely come check out your site! Keep at it!

This is really Helpful thanks I love it😊

I never knew how much I had to write about. This should definitely keep me busy! Thank you so much for the list.

Hi! I saw a note saying this had been updated for 2020. I was curious if there are plans to update it for 2021. If so, when would the 2021-updated list become available?

Hi Gabrielle, I am not sure when we will next update this list, but feel free to check out some of our other writing prompts lists if you’ve exhausted this one! Writing Prompts for Kids {which is for grown-ups too!} and Poetry Writing Prompts are two great ones to check out. Hope that helps!

Loved this a lot! I would like to ask permission for using these prompts for my poetry and stories page on Instagram. Kindly let me know if I can use these and let my followers write on them too.

Hi, Piyusha, I’m just a user of the site like you, so I’m not “official”. But if you hit CTRL + F in your browser, that should open the “Find” dialog. Search on “Camilla”, and that will take you to a post and response concerning your request. Have a great and productive writing day. K. B. Tidwell

very informative thank you

I have always had problems finding something to write about. My problem is solved🥰 Thank you

I love this

Oh great. Good for everyone who enjoys picking the pen and writing something readable

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Ambitiously Alexa

70+ Easy and Fun Journal Prompts for Beginners

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you sign up or purchase products or services mentioned. Read the full disclosure here.

Last Updated on July 1, 2023

If you’re just starting out with journaling, guided journal prompts are your best friend! Instead of staring at your journal feeling stumped on what to write about, you can follow these journal prompts for beginners for the ultimate inspiration. 

Journal prompts are meant to guide you with a specific theme in mind, depending on what you want to gain out of a journaling session.

For example, if you want to build confidence and self-compassion, self love journal prompts are great for that. If you want to reflect on your personality and learn more about yourself, self discovery journal prompts will do the trick!

But maybe you’re completely brand new to journaling and don’t even know where to start! Don’t fret, you’ve come to the right place.

Ready to begin your journaling practice? Let’s dive right into these journal prompts for beginners!

Table of Contents

70+ Creative Journal Prompts for Beginners

If you’re sitting there wondering, “what are some good journal prompts?” I’ve got you covered! These journal prompt examples are exactly what any beginner needs to get into the groove of journaling. Need writing prompts that are beginner friendly? Want to get some good bullet journal ideas for beginners? This will be your guide!

Fun Journal Prompts for Beginners

1. what people, places, or things make you the happiest.

Think about everyone, everywhere, and everything that makes you feel truly content with life. This could be the closest people in your support system, your comfort place, or even your childhood stuffed animal. Describe why these things are so awesome to you!

2. What is the biggest thing you’re looking forward to?

Got an exciting event coming up? About to reach an awesome goal or milestone in your life? Think about what sparks your enthusiasm these days.

3. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? How would being there make you feel?

This could be your favorite vacation spot, or even being with someone you miss. Reflect on the feelings you’d experience if you got to be there right now.

4. What is your happiest memory from the past week, month, or year?

If your week has been a bit of a dud, that’s okay! Reflect on any experience from the last month or year that makes you smile.

5. What did you read, watch, or hear about this month that inspired you?

Maybe it was a podcast, an interesting blog post, or someone on YouTube that made you feel motivated and excited!

6. What is your favorite childhood memory and what makes it so special?

Spending time with family, going to Disneyland for the first time, making your first friend…anything that gives you warm and fuzzy nostalgia!

7. What was your favorite year in school and what made it so memorable?

I’m going to bet that maybe it’s not any grade in middle school, lol! Think about a year where you had a really kind teacher, a fun friend group, or classes you enjoyed.

8. What were some of the best highlights from your favorite trip you’ve ever taken?

Think about family vacations, your first time traveling as an adult, road trips, or even just little day trips to nearby places. What activities, foods, or other fun things made it memorable?

9. What is your favorite food and what memories are associated with that food?

Maybe you can remember how amazing that first bite was the first time you tried your favorite food! Food can also remind us of birthdays, special events, and times we shared the meal with loved ones.

10. What were you laughing about the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

Think about the last time a friend made you laugh so hard your abs hurt! Or maybe you found a hilarious Tik Tok that cracks you up every time.

11. What are three of your favorite ways to spend your free time?

Whether it’s alone, with your besties, partaking in a hobby, relaxing and doing absolutely nothing…there are no wrong answers!

12. What can you add to your life to bring yourself more joy?

Ask yourself: are you making time for play and fun? Are you giving yourself permission to let loose and be silly?

13. What sparks your creativity? In what ways are you creative?

Even if you swear you’re not a very creative person, we all have a creative side hiding somewhere! You might come up with creative business ideas, put together pretty birthday cards, write, dance, paint, sing…the list goes on!

14. What is something that always makes you smile?

Is there something (or someone) in your life that never fails to put a smile on your face? Think about something you can always count on to spark joy in your life!

15. What is your favorite family tradition and why?

Maybe you did something really fun and memorable in childhood with your family. Or maybe not! In which case, think about what family traditional you might like to start one day.

16. Do you have any hobbies? Why do you enjoy them?

If it’s been a while since you dabbled in your hobbies, or you’re not sure what you like anymore, remind yourself of the things you used to be active with and the value they added to your life.

17. What hobby would you like to get into?

Hey, sometimes adult life gets busy and we forget about hobbies! Happens to the best of us! But hobbies are important to live a fulfilled, happy, rich life. Which hobbies have you always wanted to try? Plan for how you can get started.

RELATED: Hobbies for Women in their 20s: 100+ Fun and Interesting Ideas

18. What is your favorite season and what do you like about it?

Are you a summer girlie? Love a winter wonderland? Enjoy the fresh breeze of the spring? Can’t resist a good pumpkin spice latte in the fall? What makes your favorite season #1 in your mind?

19. What does the perfect weekend look like to you?

Maybe you love to be on the go, exploring and making memories when you can! Or maybe your weekends are your precious “me time” to relax and rejuvenate.

20. If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you move to and why?

Could be your fave state, or even somewhere halfway across the globe! Think about if you prefer a big city, the suburbs, a place with tons of nature, or whatever you love.

21. If you were magically granted 12 extra hours in a day, how would you spend the time?

I’m sure we could all use more hours in the day! How would you make the most of them?

Self-Reflection Journal Prompts for Beginners

22. how did your life look like at this time last year what were the highs and lows.

A lot can change in a year! Think about your biggest challenges, best accomplishments, happiest memories, your habits, and mindset.

23. What do you need most this week?

Take the time to pause and ask yourself what you need more of this week. This will help you set intentions and recognize where you should be putting your energy.

24. Reflect on some of the recent dreams you’ve had at night.

Do you dream often, or hardly ever? Are you prone to nightmares or stressful dreams, or are you super lucky and have happy dreams?

25. What are three things you’re grateful for right now and why?

This could be absolutely anything. Choose the first three things that come to mind and get detailed about why you’re feeling grateful.

FEATURED JOURNAL: THE GRATITUDE JOURNAL

beginner journal prompts

RELATED : 40 Helpful and Refreshing Morning Gratitude Prompts

26. What is something that opened your mind and made you change your perspective about the world?

Have you had an interesting epiphany about something lately? Anything that has forever changed your outlook?

27. If you could change one thing about your present life, what would it be?

Focusing on gratitudes helps your mental health, but it’s fair to acknowledge room for improvement in your life too. Think about what you’d like to change about your career, where you live, something in your daily routine, your mindset, etc.

28. What do you like about the neighborhood, city, state, or country you live in?

What are the best things about your local area, or even your state or country? What are you happy to have access to?

29. What is the best advice you could give someone?

If you could choose just one life-changing piece of advice to share with others, what would it be?

30. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given that shaped you in some way?

On the other side of the coin, what’s the single best piece of advice you’ve received?

31. What big dream or goal are you working toward?

Got any personal or professional goals on your agenda? Take some time to brainstorm and list out your short-term and long-term goals in all areas of your life.

32. What is your process for reaching that goal?

All too often, we write down our goals but we stop short of actually creating a plan! Choose your #1 goal, or a few if you wish, and detail out the specifics on how you’ll stay on track. Here’s a great guide for creating better goals .

33. What are 5 things you want to learn more about? List them and describe why you want to learn more.

Is there anything that fascinates you, but that you know little about? Maybe you just have a general curiosity about something, or you want to gain knowledge to become more skilled in something.

34. Who was your biggest role model growing up?

It doesn’t have to be someone in your immediate family either. It could be a teacher, an older cousin, or even a celebrity that inspired you.

35. What is something worth pursuing even though it’s hard?

Some of the most rewarding things in life require a lot of hard work and perseverance! What have you learned is worth it to pursue in spite of this?

36. How is your relationship like with your family?

Not everyone has a good relationship with their family, and it’s okay to acknowledge that reality if that’s true for you. Has your relationship with your family always been difficult, or has it changed overtime?

37. What does your friend circle look like?

Do you like to keep a tight-knit circle of a couple trusted friends? Or are you a social butterfly with many different friendships?

38. What advice would you give to your high school self?

I don’t know about you, but I was a nervous wreck about all sorts of things in high school. What kind of reassurance do you think your high school self needed?

39. What is something you really want to do but haven’t made the commitment yet?

It could be your dream trip to Europe, buying a car you’ve been looking at forever, becoming a home owner, or even smaller milestones along the way!

40. What is something you’ve overcome that truly felt impossible to overcome at the time?

Sometimes, stressful events feel so insurmountable when we’re actively living through them. What are you proud to have overcome, even when you thought you never would?

41. What is the highlight and lowlight of today?

Zooming back into the smaller picture, how did today go for you?

Self-Discovery Journal Prompts for Beginners

42. how have your interests and passions changed over the last several years.

This is one of the most interesting ways to observe your growth as a person! We are always evolving and it’s natural for our interests to change along with us.

43. Are you more of an introvert or extrovert? How so?

Do you think you’re firmly in one camp or the other? Or are you a mix of the two? Explain.

44. What is your favorite form of movement/exercise and why?

Hopefully you’ve discovered some type of exercise you enjoy! Maybe you like a gentler, lower impact approach like yoga. Or maybe you love to go hard by lifting in the gym!

45. If you could do anything you want without any negative consequences or fear of failure, what would you do?

Sometimes, you’re the only one truly standing in your way. Dig into those fears or feelings of self-doubt. These imposter syndrome journal prompts are perfect for that!

46. What qualities do you seek out in friendships?

What traits do you value most in a friend? Think back to past friendships and what you liked and didn’t like.

47. What is one thing you would change about your personality?

We’re all about practicing self love over here, but kindly identifying areas of improvement in yourself is healthy. Maybe you struggle with a short temper, being impatient, or being super Type A.

48. What do you think is the number one misconception people have about you?

Do people tend to perceive you in a bad light? Maybe they think you’re too loud? Quiet? Impulsive? Why do you think these misconceptions happen?

49. What kind of person would make the perfect soulmate for you?

Take some time to list out all the qualities you’d love to see in a partner. What have you learned about your likes and dislikes based on past relationships? These journal prompts for relationships can help you get real specific on that!

50. What is something you’re good at? What makes you excel at it?

Show some self-love and recognize your strengths! This could be a physical skill, social skill, mental skill, or anything you’re confident about.

51. Do you prefer to have one or two best friends or a group of friends?

I think this is an interesting preference to be aware of. Some people thrive best when surrounded by the energy of several people, others feel more comfortable with 1:1 interaction.

52. Do you have a comfort song or comfort movie? If so, how does it make you feel?

Songs and movies can be super nostalgic. Songs in particular hold so many different memories from different parts of my life. It’s like an opportunity to re-visit the good times!

53. What makes you feel safe?

What comforts you, puts you at ease, or makes you feel like you’re truly secure? It could be a type of environment, a special person, or a gesture someone does for you.

54. What is something you struggle with that others don’t seem to?

As you think about this, break down why you think you struggle compared to others. You might just be hard on yourself, or you may have developed some negative core beliefs that have you convinced you’re incapable. Your mindset can be the thing holding you back!

55. What is something that comes easy to you but doesn’t come so easy to others?

On the flip side, what do you feel like you pick up super easily? It’s important to remember that you are totally crushing it somewhere in your life!

56. If you had to open a business, what kind of business would it be?

Even if you don’t ever plan to open a business and you know it’s not for you, get creative here! What business would you start if you had the chance?

57. What do you want to be remembered for?

Is there something you care deeply about accomplishing in your lifetime? Do you care about being recognized by many, or is it more important to make an impact on the people close to you?

Mental Health Journal Prompts for Beginners

58. how do you feel today.

For starters, how do you really feel? What kinds of thoughts and emotions have been circulating?

59. When you’re feeling anxious, what is something that never fails to calm you down?

Do you have a go-to activity that is self soothing to you? Or, can you brainstorm a few ideas to have on hand the next time you’re feeling anxious?

60. What can you remove from your life to decrease your stress?

When you’re overwhelmed, you get stressed! Is there anything you can possibly take off your plate right now to make things more manageable?

61. What is something you hope gets better?

Is there something, whether it be in your personal life or in the world, that you hope will get better with time? It might be more confidence, more clarity, or even hoping global warming will end.

62. Which self care activities do you enjoy and why?

Do you already have self care activities that you do on the regular to manage your mental health? If you’re stumped, this list of self care activities can be the perfect place to start!

63. What is something that keeps you going when times get a little tough?

It could be a specific mindset, something that distracts you from the stress, or reminding yourself that everything is temporary.

66. Is there a consistent anxiety trigger in your life? Elaborate on it.

For example, job interviews can be a major recurring anxiety trigger for many people with social anxiety. Assess what makes the trigger so triggering. Also describe what you can do to better regulate your emotions and your reaction to the trigger.

67. What is one habit you can start doing today to support your mental health?

What’s something you can actually take action on today that will lead to a happier, calmer, and more balanced head space?

68. What is one habit you can stop doing today that negatively impacts your mental health?

Let’s also plan on an unhelpful habit you can cut today! Bad habits aren’t easy to break, but you can begin the process and think about what will set you up for success.

69. Do you think your ability to manage stress has improved with time? How or how not?

Think back 1, 3, 5, or even 10 years ago. Do you think your stress management skills have gotten better? I’m sure that when you look back on your teenage years, for example, there’s been improvements in several ways!

70. What limiting belief about yourself would you like to release?

Is there a belief you hold about yourself that’s ultimately hindering you from pursuing your dreams? You may have put yourself in a box, limiting yourself from trying something just because you don’t think you can do it.

71. Where in your life can you do less, so that you prevent yourself from burning out?

If you’re giving 110% to every single area of your life, chances are that’s not sustainable. Prioritize the areas that truly need your focus right now. Remember, not everything is urgent.

72. Have you been giving yourself adequate time to rest and tune into your emotions? If not, how can you give yourself this time?

Have you been super busy with basically no downtime for yourself? This is never a place you want to get stuck in! Think about how you can add more time for rest and regeneration. It could mean waking up 30 minutes earlier or putting your phone down an hour before bed.

Why Journal?

Not only is journaling a positive form of self expression, but it can help you organize your thoughts and feelings for greater clarity.

There’s also many different approaches you can take to journaling, such as for your mental health, for identifying goals, getting in touch with your creative side, and so much more!

Journaling is powerful for self-reflection, problem-solving, and even increasing self-awareness of your needs. And even as a beginner, you can start to see some of these benefits in your journal practice.

5 Easy Steps to Writing Your First Journal Entry

Writing out that very first journal entry is easier than you think! All you need to get started is…

  • A cute, blank journal like this one from Erin Condren or (if you could use a little assistance!) a guided journal like my printable gratitude journal is a great place to start!
  • A time of day that works best for you
  • The understanding that journaling is most effective when done regularly
  • A little inspiration (like the journal prompts for beginners in this post!)
  • Simply putting the pen to the paper and get started!

These are just a few things to keep in mind if you have no idea where to start in your journaling. Consider these as you browse through these journal prompts for beginners!

Areas of Journaling You Can Focus On

Journaling for mental health and self care.

Journaling can be used to unpack and process your emotions. Doing so can help ease your anxiety and allow you to get to the root of what may be bothering you. It can also help you discover what you really need most.

For example, if you’re overwhelmed and burnt out, this will likely reflect in your writing when expressing your emotions.

From there, you can recognize that this is a problem for you and identify the steps you need to take to alleviate it. Maybe you realize your job is too demanding, or you haven’t been getting the support you need from family and friends.

Journaling for mental health and self care not only helps you with problem-solving, but it can also be a much-needed release for stress and anxiety.

{RELATED : 60 Journal Prompts for Self Care When You’re Struggling }

Journaling for Creativity

Journaling can also be a powerful creative outlet for beginners! If it feels overwhelming to dive into things like mental health at first, you can always start slow with more positive journaling activities, like ones geared toward creativity.

Some ideas include designing pretty pages, doodling, bullet journaling, adding color, or anything your heart desires, really!

You can also use your journal to jot down creative ideas, such as fun projects to start, crafts to try, business ideas, and more.

I love writing down different blog post ideas and product ideas in my journal! When the creative mood strikes, it really helps to take notes on where your brain is at!

{RELATED: 45+ Super Creative Empty Notebook Ideas to Fill Up Your Journal }

Journaling for Manifesting

Don’t let manifesting intimidate you! At its core, manifesting involves goal setting, planning your future, and instilling belief in yourself and your capabilities. You’ve likely already done some of these things, so manifesting isn’t so foreign after all!

When you manifest something you want to achieve, you become aware of your goals and what it takes to reach them. I have a guide on the way I use my journal to manifest and it’s a fairly simple process. It lets me plan out a goal to the very last detail as I envision myself achieving the goal.

Manifesting in this way gives me a positive mindset and confidence in what I’m pursuing!

{RELATED: 90 Journal Prompts for Manifesting Exactly What You Want }

These are just a few things you can choose to focus on when beginning your journaling practice, but you can also keep it simple. I suggest starting with the journal prompts for beginners in this post first, just to get used to journaling in an easy and fun way.

Once you get the hang of it, you can consider diving into a specific focus!

Simple Tips for Journaling for Beginners

Before you give these journal prompts for beginners a try, keep the following in mind:

  • Let your thoughts flow – when you’re first starting out, don’t worry about how you sound when you write. No need to overthink your sentence structure, just let your thoughts flow! The goal is to make journaling as least intimidating as possible
  • Journaling is a tool, but one tool of many – what I mean by this is that if your goal is to improve your mental health or self care, it’s important to ALSO be seeking help in a variety of ways, including therapy. ( Online Therapy is the best program I trust!!)
  • Journaling DOES get easier – My journaling sessions have gotten more productive and beneficial for me as time goes on. Why? Because I know how to make the most of it. I know which types of writing exercises work for me and which don’t. I know that when I’m short on time, it’s better for me to do a quick brain dump. When I have time to spare, I use specific prompts. You will learn what works for you too!
  • Journaling might feel tedious, but the feeling afterward is worth it – getting started is always the hardest part! With anything, am I right? But just as you might feel amazing after a workout, you’ll feel amazing after putting in the work with journaling too. My mind feels clearer, I feel like I released what I needed to, and I learned more about myself.

How to Use Journal Prompts for Beginners

There’s a few different ways you can approach these journal prompts for beginners to work them into your daily routine, like:

  • Answering just one prompt a day, working your way through the list in numerical order
  • Choosing a number at random and responding to the prompt from that number on the list
  • Pick the prompts that are most relevant to your life at the moment. For example, if you have a specific obstacle to overcome, you may want to choose the prompts that will help you face that obstacle.
  • Choose a few go-to prompts to respond to each time you journal. For example, each morning I write down three things I’m grateful for, my intention for the day, and my top three goals for the day. 

How Do You Start a Journal as a Beginner?

Journaling doesn’t need to be a daunting chore! Just take it slow and don’t feel like you need to commit to a daily routine of journaling right away.

Even just journaling once a week can provide immense benefit to you. Allow it to fit into your schedule. Mornings too hectic? Try opening your journal at night before you go to sleep! Maybe Sunday nights are good for you, before you start your week.

Here are some of my favorite tips for starting a journal as a beginner:

  • Buy a journal that fits your needs – Do you want a blank notebook that you can write your own prompts in? Or would you prefer a guided journal like the Five Minute Journal ? Think about what you want out of your journal.
  • Try a printable journal – printable journals are awesome because you can access them instantly instead of waiting for them to arrive at your door! They’re also a more affordable option than your typical store-bought journal. I have a printable mental health journal and printable gratitude journal you might like!
  • Set reminders – in your phone or calendar to journal at the same time each week to make it a habit
  • Pair it with other self care activities – try meditating after your journaling practice to clear your mind. This is a great way to let go of any final thoughts and sit peacefully with yourself after journaling.
  • Don’t be too hard on yourself – if you skip a day or week, that is okay! Just get back up and try again! Journaling is supposed to be a form of stress relief, not a job or chore.

Benefits of Using Journal Prompts

Journaling is super beneficial for your mental health, personal growth, organization, and even productivity! Here are some specific benefits of using journal prompts for beginners:

  • Decreases stress and anxiety
  • Assists in emotion regulation
  • Helps you organize your thoughts and declutter your mind
  • Increases self-awareness
  • Helps you learn more about yourself and your needs
  • Allows you to process your thoughts
  • Clears your mind to give you greater productivity throughout the day

Different Types of Personal Journals

Different journals will be geared toward different goals, and there’s actually so many different varieties out there! It is so much more than the “dear diary” memories you may have had from childhood.

Journaling in this day and age is so much more than that, and here are some common types of personal journals you can try as a beginner:

  • Gratitude journal (I have a printable gratitude journal right here )
  • DIY bullet journal
  • The Five Minute Journal
  • Fitness journal
  • Food journal
  • Manifestation journal
  • Travel journal
  • Mental health journal (I have a printable mental health journal here !)
  • Art journal
  • Reading journal
  • Goal journal (I have a printable goal setting planner right here )

Final Thoughts on Journal Prompts for Beginners

Up to this point, you might have thought journaling was only for a certain type of person. But because journaling can accomplish so many different goals, whether that be creative expression, organizing your thoughts, or improving self care, it’s so versatile that it’s for EVERYONE!

And we all gotta start somewhere! So I put together these journal prompts for beginners to ease you into a first-time journal practice. No matter what your ultimate motivation for journaling is, you can start right here and figure things out as you go.

Feel free to journal in any way that you want, about anything that you want, and your possibilities will be endless.

Psst…want to make journaling a habit? Grab my (free!) daily self care check in below for quick and easy self care prompts each morning and night!

creative journal prompt ideas

Psst…make self care quick and easy by downloading my (free!) printable daily self care check in! Grab it to start adding a little self reflection into your morning + night routines.

You will receive your daily self care check in shortly.

Let me know in the comments:

What made you want to start journaling?

More journal prompts you’ll love:.

52 Journal Prompts for Self Love to Empower Yourself

40 Helpful and Refreshing Morning Gratitude Prompts

60 Journal Prompts for Self Care When You’re Struggling

55 Eye-Opening Journal Prompts for Self Growth

LIKE THESE JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR BEGINNERS? PIN THEM FOR LATER!

what are some good journal prompts

Founder & Content Strategist

Hey there! I'm Alexa, and I'm a self-care enthusiast and mental health advocate. At Ambitiously Alexa, I'm here to support women like you who are on a mission to achieve allll the things they're passionate about and make time for self care. I make this balance possible through journal prompts, positive affirmations, and self care ideas you'll love! Here's more about me, including my B.A in Psychology...

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Cherith Fluker

Creative Gratitude Journal Prompts for Travelers

D o you go on amazing travel adventures? Besides photos, how are you capturing those memories and reflecting on all the good things you experience in these different places? Recording your experiences in a journal or travel diary is a great way to cherish those travel memories. That journal can be used to not only keep memories , but express your gratitude, too. Gratitude journal prompts can help travelers reflect on their experiences and foster a deeper sense of appreciation for their journeys. In this blog post, I’m sharing some gratitude journal prompts for travelers. 

This site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website at no extra cost to you.

What is a Gratitude Journal?

A gratitude journal is a personal diary or notebook in which individuals regularly write down the things they are grateful for. It’s a tool that promotes a positive outlook and mindfulness by focusing on the blessings and positive aspects of life. Keeping a gratitude journal involves acknowledging and recording moments, experiences, people, or things that bring joy, contentment, and appreciation.

Here’s how a gratitude journal typically works:

Daily or Regular Entries:  Many people choose to make daily entries in their gratitude journal, but the frequency can vary. Some may write in it every evening, while others might opt for weekly or even monthly entries.

Reflecting on Blessings:  In each entry, the journal keeper reflects on the things they are grateful for. These can range from small, everyday occurrences to significant life events.

Specificity:  Effective gratitude journaling often involves being specific about what you’re thankful for. Instead of writing, “I’m grateful for my family,” you might write, “I’m grateful for the laughter and support of my family during our picnic today.”

Expressing Emotions:  In your journal, you’re encouraged to express the emotions associated with your gratitude. How did these blessings make you feel? Did they bring you happiness, peace, or a sense of fulfillment?

Recording Progress:  Over time, a gratitude journal serves as a record of your personal growth, perspective shifts, and evolving sources of gratitude.

What are some benefits of keeping a travel gratitude journal?

Keeping a gratitude journal specifically for travel can have several benefits that enhance your travel experiences and your overall well-being. Here are some of the benefits of gratitude journaling: 

Increased Mindfulness:  Gratitude journaling encourages you to be fully present in the moment. You become more aware of the details, experiences, and people you encounter during your travels, which deepens your overall travel experience.

Enhanced Appreciation:  By actively acknowledging and writing down the things you’re grateful for while traveling, you develop a heightened sense of appreciation for the places you visit, the cultures you encounter, and the experiences you have.

Positive Outlook:  Gratitude journaling shifts your focus toward the positive aspects of your journey, helping you see the silver lining even in challenging situations. This positive mindset can lead to a more enjoyable and optimistic travel experience.

Stress Reduction:  Keeping a gratitude journal while traveling can act as a stress management tool. It helps you stay grounded, even when facing unexpected obstacles or travel-related stressors.

Deeper Connections:  Gratitude journaling can prompt you to reflect on the interactions and connections you make with locals and fellow travelers. This can lead to more meaningful connections and a greater appreciation for the diversity of the people you meet.

Memorable Keepsake:  Your gratitude journal becomes a cherished travel keepsake. It allows you to preserve the memories, emotions, and insights you gather during your travels, ensuring they stay vivid and meaningful long after the journey ends.

Cultural Understanding:  Gratitude journaling encourages you to reflect on the cultural aspects of your travels. By appreciating the local customs, traditions, and practices, you gain a deeper understanding of the places you visit.

Positive Travel Planning:  Reflecting on your past travel experiences through your journal can inform your future travel plans. You can use your gratitude journal to remember your favorite destinations and activities, helping you make informed choices for your next adventure.

Increased Joy:  Gratitude journaling can lead to an increased sense of joy and contentment during your travels. It helps you focus on the small, everyday joys that often go unnoticed.

Preservation of Memories:  While travel photos capture moments visually, a gratitude journal helps you capture them through words and emotions. This can be particularly valuable when reflecting on your adventures in the years to come.

Personal Growth:  Reflecting on what you’re grateful for can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. It can help you gain insights into your values, priorities, and the things that truly matter to you.

Cultivation of Positivity:  Over time, gratitude journaling can cultivate a habit of positivity in your daily life, not just while traveling. This practice can help you maintain an optimistic and appreciative outlook in all areas of your life.

Incorporating gratitude journaling into your travel routine is a simple yet powerful practice that can significantly enhance your travel experiences and the long-term impact of your journeys. It allows you to see the world through a more appreciative and mindful lens, fostering a deeper connection to the places and people you encounter.

What are Some Examples of Good Travel Journal Prompts?

Not quite sure of the type of journal entries you should write? Let me help you out. Here are some travel journal writing prompts to help you get your creative juices flowing. 

  • Reflect on the specific experiences or moments from your travels that made you feel thankful today.
  • Write about a destination that left a lasting impression on you and why it holds a special place in your heart.
  • Recall a time when a local or fellow traveler went out of their way to help you or show kindness.
  • Describe a memorable dish or dining experience that you enjoyed during your travels.
  • Share your awe-inspiring encounters with nature, like a stunning sunrise, majestic mountain range, or serene beach.
  • Write about a unique cultural practice or event you witnessed, and how it enriched your understanding of the local culture.
  • Recount a meaningful interaction or friendship that you formed with someone you met during your travels.
  • Express gratitude for someone who shared their knowledge, insights, or skills to enrich your travel experience.
  • Reflect on a difficult moment during your travels and the lessons you learned from it.
  • Describe a piece of art, architecture, or historical site that evoked strong emotions and appreciation.
  • Recall a quiet moment when you found peace and tranquility, whether it was while meditating, strolling through a serene garden, or simply enjoying a peaceful view.
  • Share your curiosity about a particular cuisine or ingredient that you’d like to explore further in your culinary journey.
  • Discuss a book, travel blog, or article that motivated or influenced your travel decisions and mindset.
  • Write down a travel-related quote or saying that speaks to your heart and explain why it holds significance.
  • Share your thoughts on your future travel plans and what you’re looking forward to in your upcoming adventure.

Feel free to use these prompts in your gratitude journal during or after your travels to capture the essence of your experiences and maintain a sense of appreciation for the beauty and lessons that travel brings into your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is travel gratitude journaling, and how does it differ from a regular travel journal?

Travel gratitude journaling goes beyond documenting your experiences—it focuses on cultivating gratitude by noting the positive aspects of your journey. It’s a more intentional and mindful approach to travel journaling.

Why should I step out of my comfort zone and start my own travel gratitude journal?

Stepping out of your comfort zone allows you to appreciate new experiences and details you might overlook. A travel gratitude journal is your personal space to reflect on the best moments, favorite things, and daily prompts that enhance your journey.

What’s the best travel journal for gratitude practice?

The best travel journal is one that suits your style. Whether it’s a leatherpress journal, a bullet journal, or an online travel journal, find what resonates with you. High-quality journals with blank pages offer creative freedom.

How can I involve family members in my travel gratitude journal?  

Encourage family members to contribute their thoughts, draw pictures, or share gratitude prompts. It’s a fun way to create a collective travel story and capture memories together.

Are there creative travel journal ideas to make my entries stand out?

Absolutely! From documenting ticket stubs and business cards to writing in a different language or adding random photos, there are endless creative ways to enhance your travel logs.

What are some daily gratitude journal prompts for travel?

Incorporate prompts like “favorite food discovery,” “new people I met today,” or “little details that made me smile.” These prompts help you focus on the positive aspects of your journey.

How can I maintain a habit of gratitude during my travels?

Integrate gratitude into your daily routine by setting aside a little time each day for your travel journal. Use prompts, write about simple things, and make it a regular practice for a grateful heart.

Start your travel gratitude journal today for a great time, wonderful memories, and a grateful heart on your next adventure!

Do you go on amazing travel adventures? Besides photos, how are you capturing those memories and reflecting on all the good things you experience in these different places? Recording your experiences in a journal or travel diary is a great way to cherish those travel memories. That journal can be used to not only keep memories,

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