Journal Writing Prompts to Inspire You

Journaling is an amazing way to get to know yourself better and put your feelings into black and white for later reference. Therapists often recommend it as an important tool for healing, self discovery and expressing difficult thoughts. A journal can serve many purposes and is easy to make your own.

Often times your head is full of ideas for what you want to write about in your journal. Then, when you are sitting in front of those blank pages, you can't remember anything you were going to write about. Writer's block is common in journaling, because many people find it difficult to focus on themselves.

You can easily get your thoughts flowing by using a journal prompt. A prompt is a question, statement or idea that gives you a starting point to begin your writing. Prompts are a great way to help jump start your thoughts and take you into corners of your mind you have not yet explored. If you are starting your first journal, prompts can help you navigate the writing experience.

Most people can use journal prompts to feel less embarrassed about putting their deepest thoughts to paper. If you are not used to sharing your most personal feelings, it can be strange to express them on paper. As you get used to using prompts, you will be more comfortable opening up the corners of your mind where you do not often go. Until then, you can learn a lot about yourself through journal prompts.

Taking a Look Back

Writing about your past helps you to understand who you are now. It can also be a good way to remember stories that you have forgotten. If you are trying to discover the root of negative patterns that are holding you back, this is a great place to begin. Some prompts to get you thinking about the past are:

• What is the earliest memory you have?
• What advice would you give your ten year old self?
• If your present self could go back and give your parents advice on how to raise you, what would you say?
• What are ten personality traits you had as a child?
• What is the biggest mistake you made as a child?
• What events from your childhood caused you to feel fear?

Explore Who You Have Become

One of the great things about journaling is the ability to capture your unedited thoughts. You can look back in a week or a month and see patterns, which can give you a better understanding of yourself. Knowing yourself is key to being happy. These writing prompts that can help you discover who you are:

• If you could only keep three things out of your house, what would they be and why?
• What do you love about yourself?
• What is your biggest regret?
• What qualities do you most admire in others?
• Name five things you want to change about yourself.
• What has been the best day of your life so far?

Where Are You Going?

Achieving your goals and having a successful life in the future are both dependent on what you do today. When you journal, you can clearly outline what you want your future to look like and the steps you can take to get there. Some journal prompts to guide you are:

• What are ten things you want to do before you die?
• What are five things in your life you wish you could change?
• Are you happy with your chosen path?
• What obstacles are holding you back?
• Where do you see yourself in ten years?
• Which of your friends do you expect will still be in your life in fifteen years?

Living In the Moment

Writing about today can help you relieve your feelings by expressing frustration in a positive way. It can also help you reinforce any good events that happen, and give you another way to increase your joy. Some good writing prompts to help you write about the present are:

• What is something cute your pet or child did today?
• Did you have a good day at work?
• What did you accomplish on your to-do list?
• Was today a normal day?
• Which of your family members or friends did you talk to today?
• Did you do something fun today?

If you live with family or roommates, you may want to consider journaling online. An online journal allows you to protect your deepest thoughts, so only you can read them. It also has the added benefit of allowing you to add digital media, like photos and videos.