Journal Prompt Ideas
Journaling is a healthy way to become more self-aware, increase memory, decrease anxiety, and put your thoughts in visual form.
If you have never been someone who journals, it never hurts to try it out. Journaling does not have to be some extreme, time-consuming activity, but just taking a little time can make the biggest difference. There was a study done in 2018 that found that journaling for only 15-20 minutes for 3-5 days a week resulted in improvement in anxiety and depression levels, resilience, and social integration.
You might be wondering: If journaling has so many benefits, how do I start?
It is important to figure out what steps you can take to get into the habit of journaling and find journal prompts that peak your interest. So, here are some ways you can make journaling a habit:
Set an alarm for a specific time of day.
Routine can help you be more consistent! With an alarm, you can ensure that you do not forget to journal each day.
Buy new journals and pens that you love.
If you want to start journaling, you of course need a means to do it. Buying new materials can excite you to set aside time to journal.
Use your phone as a tool.
If writing isn’t your thing, try a digital journal! Use the Notes app on your phone to write things down or take pictures of little things that make you happy.
Pair it with something you love.
Try adding music to your journal time or always treating yourself to a yummy drink. These small things can make journaling a more enjoyable experience, especially if you are processing something hard and difficult.
Have an accountability partner.
Having a friend who can check in on you to ensure that you are journaling can help you be motivated to stay consistent. Additionally, talking with someone close to you can be beneficial after you have processed your thoughts in writing.
Now you might ask: I know how to start making journaling a habit, but what do I write about?
Here are some journal prompts to get you started:
What were three moments that made you happy today? Write about them in detail.
A Window Between Worlds suggests writing down your to-be’s before you write down your to-do’s for the day.
What is a tension within yourself that feels unresolved? What would resolving this tension look like?
Positive Psychology suggests journaling: What’s one fear that you encountered today? How did you face it or what can you change next time?
What is something you have never told anyone? Write it down in detail.
Who do you go to for comfort? What aspects of this person do you love?
PsychCentral suggests asking: What three changes can you make to help you live closer to your personal values?
PsychCentral also suggests: Which emotions are hardest for you to accept? When you experience these, how do you handle them?
Write in detail about one of your best childhood memories.
Where do you find the most sense of purpose in life? Why is this something to put your purpose in?
Choose one of these prompts that stands out to you and start journaling today! If you would like more journal prompts, find various options on PsychCentral’s website. Journaling can help you process the things that you might not be ready to say out loud yet. Once you start, you may find more peace and healing than you thought possible. You may even learn more about yourself and the people around you.