Do you have hundreds of thoughts flying around your head? Are they driving you mad? Well, then perhaps you would benefit from keeping a journal?
Releasing your trapped thoughts onto paper is a great way to learn about yourself. So, what are you waiting for? – grab a pen and set your thoughts free.
Hang on! This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your head might be buzzing with thoughts, but writing them down isn’t always so easy.
Sounds like you need some journal prompts to get you started- Luckily for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for all the journaling ideas and journal prompts you’ll need to get you started.
Table of Contents
Journaling Prompts
When it comes to writing, figuring out how to start, it can be the tricky part. Once you get into the writing flow, then it’s often hard to stop.
So, how do you get over your writer’s block and let the words meet the page?
Well- you could try prompts for journals! What are these, you ask? Well, journal prompts are just that- prompts!
For when you feel like you’ll never find the words to write, journal prompts can be a great way to kick-start your ideas.
Write a letter
In this day-and-age, writing letters isn’t the done thing. Well, maybe it should be.
Forget about your email address or screen glare and go old-school by writing a letter to yourself.
A letter holds so much meeting- so why not write one to yourself reflecting on a past event in your life?
Here’s a list of letter writing prompts:
- Write one to your childhood self
- Write one to your future self
- Write one that reflects on a challenging time in your life
Or pick another letter topic that’s personal to you and write away!
Use one-word prompts
Put a heading on each page, then write whatever words come to mind.
Possible headings include fears, dreams, desires, hobbies, love.
The list is endless.
Sometimes, a one-word prompt is all you need to get your creative juices flowing. Make time to explain how this word makes you feel?
A word can spark a thousand more.
List your feelings
Use your journal to make a list- jot down words that sum-up your current feelings and emotions.
Sentences are great and all, but sometimes only single words will come to mind- a list of single words can be just as powerful as a bunch of sentences.
Only you know how you feel, so don’t be afraid to list it up.
Think of your journal as your private place to release those words that are niggling at you.
Whether it’s love, hate, or anything in-between, don’t be afraid to jot it down.
Words can’t hurt you, but they can help you find clarity.
Listing your feelings is also a great tip for when coherent writing sentences feels like a no-go. For instance, when you’re extra angry, confused, or overwhelmed.
When in fear, list it up- you may just find that it helps soothe your mind and aid with your journey to self-discovery.
What do you put in a self-care journal?
Self-care journals are a great way of showing yourself a bit of love.
In a busy world, it’s sometimes hard to stop and make that all-important time for yourself.
It’s easy to make excuses such as one thing or another- but your dream life is far more reachable if you take 5-minutes a day to reflect on you!
There is only one of you in the world, so be kind to yourself!
What you put in your journal is up to you.
You can fill it with positive words, quotes that make you happy, wellness goals, or simply just daily goals (with pretty doodle borders- for when you’re feeling artsy!)
Day by day
On Monday, you could make time to do a 20-minute yoga session.
On Tuesday, you could take time out to get creative with an adult coloring book.
Wednesdays could be Sudoku puzzle day…and so on!
Including a daily activity in your journal is a great way to take out some much need time for yourself and to help clear your mind.
Here are some activity ideas that may interest you:
- Swimming
- Running
- Baking cakes
- Meditation
- Dancing
- Work-out
- Go for a walk
- Painting
- Reading
In this fast-paced world, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. You’ll be allowed to spend some time each day to concentrate on yourself.
Make a ‘happy place’ list
For when bad days strike and negative thoughts prevail, you can just flip to your ‘happy place’ list.
So okay, first-things-first, you’ll need to create your list.
This is easy and great fun! What makes you happy?
Hanging out with your friends, going to concerts, watching a cheesy film, cuddling your pet cat, jumping in puddles with your kids, eating chocolate chip ice cream out of the tub…
The list goes on.
In fact, the list can be pretty much endless.
Once you remind yourself how many happy things there are in your life- your bad day won’t seem so bad.
Keep a mood tracker
Choose your colors, make yourself a key, and get coloring. You can choose to color in a section a day of one big picture, color in smaller pictures, or just do a square of shade at a time.
Not only is coloring a great stress-reliever- but you can reflect upon your previous moods.
Love yourself- and love your mood.
On reflection, things are seldom as bad as they first seemed. A mood tracker allows you to see that it’s okay to feel anything other than happy at times- because it makes the happiest days extra great.
How do you start a journal entry?
Where do you even start?
Well, basically wherever you want. It’s your journal, so fill it however you want.
If you want to rant about how much your boss sucks- then do it.
If you want to write down the things that happened that made you smile, then do it.
Good or bad words- write to them!
Remember that these words are for your eyes only! So don’t be afraid to write down what you need to write.
If you really are stuck for words- then don’t forget about journal prompts.- as these are great for getting you going.
Oh! If you do say something ranty about your boss/friend/brother, then why not finish with a positive note too? After all, no one’s all bad.
Getting your feeling out is useful sometimes, but noting people’s good qualities is also important.
Such as the fact your boss gave you the afternoon off last Monday. That time your friend dropped everything to ring you and check you were okay. And how your brother gave you a lift to that important meeting.
Some extra ideas
Are you still stuck? Here are some journal prompts and ideas to help start off your journal writing journey.
Find a picture that you like- this can be a picture of you, your friends, a holiday pic, or even a postcard.
Stick it in your journal and write away- How does this photo make you feel? Why do you like it? Why did you choose it?
Start with a monologue– It’s your life, it’s your story, so tell it however you want to.
Writing a monologue passage helps you get inside your head and say how you feel.
Sprint out your words- pen at the ready and go! Time yourself for a minute and see what you come up with. It doesn’t matter if it makes no sense- at least it’s got you writing.
What is a reflection prompt?
Reflection journaling prompts help you to think about past events and so on.
These may be reflection inducing questions, or words or phrases that help ignite your writing spark.
One thing’s for sure- love, life, and everything in between can all come flowing out with the help of a good reflection prompt.
Here is a list of reflection prompts to get you started:
- What are the top things I learned from today?
- That experience made me feel…
- The main emotions I felt during (insert event) were (…) and (…) because…
Still, stuck for ideas? Then check out these great ones to help ignite your imagination.
Get your reflection on
Having some reflection on past events is a great way to learn new things about yourself.
Pick your reflective journaling prompts then let your thoughts do the talking.
Self-awareness is a journey, and using writing prompts to get your adventure underway is a good thing.
The one thing you should avoid doing is talking yourself out of going with the prompt writing flow.
Overview
When it comes to journal writing, remember to say how you feel.
Let your words do the talking, and don’t be afraid to write down the things on your mind.
It’s normal for the pressures of everyday life to be overwhelming.
It’s normal to want everything to be bigger and better.
Yes, you support your family, listen to your friend’s problems and work hard in your job- so don’t let guilt overwhelm you for taking time out to reflect on yourself.
Moaning about someone in words doesn’t mean you don’t like them- in fact, it’s usually the opposite!
It’s all about living in the moment and processing all the information and emotions swirling around your head.
Have fun, discover yourself, and help bring a bit of calm and clarity to your mind.
Buy a journal that catches your eye, perhaps decorate it, so it’s truly unique to you- then let your feelings do the talking.
