10 Easy Journaling Prompts to Get You Started

Some days, you sit down with your journal and…..nadda. Zilch. You want to write, but you’re having a hard time making that page look not so blank.

As frustrating as that is, there’s an easy remedy.

In this post, we’ll explore ten prompts designed to get your wheels turning and get you moving toward a consistent journaling habit. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned writer or a total beginner, these prompts will encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a meaningful way.

How to use these prompts

Each prompt asks a thought-provoking question that forces you to consider your thoughts and feelings more closely. Approaching each prompt with honesty and an open mind will get you writing in no time!

Let’s get started!

1. Gratitude List

Prompt: “List three things you are grateful for today.”

We have a lot to be grateful for. By purposely reminding yourself of what you’re thankful for, you shift your attention away from the stresses of life and foster a positive mindset. 

Studies have even shown that regularly expressing gratitude is linked to increased levels of happiness and reduced feelings of anxiety and depression.

2. Daily Highlights

• Prompt: “What was the best part of your day?”

Was it that much needed lunch break? Relaxing at home with the family? Going for that long hike? There’s always something worth remembering as the highlight of your day. And even on cruddy days, it’s likely there was at least something that was better than the rest. 

Just as with gratitude, reflecting on positive experiences helps cultivate an overall optimistic attitude toward life. Doing so makes approaching life with hope and positivity so much easier.

3. Future Goals

• Prompt: “What are three goals you want to achieve in the next year?”

Clearly defined goals are powerful motivators. In knowing what you’re working toward, it’s far easier to stay committed and energized. 

Use this prompt as a guide to steer your thoughts and actions in the right direction – toward bettering yourself and getting things done.

4. Personal Reflection

• Prompt: “How do you feel right now, and why?”

Building self-awareness is key to becoming a better you. Understanding your feelings improves how you respond to any given situation. 

A prompt like this lets you articulate your emotions, recognize what provokes them, and judge how to manage them going forward. A little reflection leads to a more peaceful and less anxious life.

5. A Letter to Your Future Self

• Prompt: “Write a letter to yourself five years from now.”

Imagine if you got a letter in the mail today from the you of five years ago. What would he think of where you are now? What would you think of where he was then?

Envisioning your future encourages deep self-reflection. You get a chance to assess your values, beliefs, and what truly matters to you. 

In five years, re-read this entry and see whether your vision matches up with how things actually turned out.

6. Favorite Memories

• Prompt: “Describe one of your favorite childhood memories.”

Good memories can make difficult times a little less difficult. Family vacations, a special birthday, Christmas at grandma’s; remembering moments like these can reinforce our ability to cope with the stresses we confront today.

7. Lessons Learned

• Prompt: “What is a lesson you’ve learned from a recent challenge?”

As annoying as it is to admit, challenges usually teach us a lot. Thinking back on obstacles you’ve faced brings a broader perspective, which in turn lets you view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. 

It’s our chance to put our skills to the test and ask ourselves, “how did I react to something stressful? Was it a setback or did I make progress?”

Learning lessons from the difficulties of life fine-tunes our responses to how we deal with them in the future.

8. Quotes that Inspire

• Prompt: “Write down a quote that resonates with you and explain why.”

There’re a lot of smart people out there. Take some of their wisdom and use it better yourself. 

Honestly, I’m a sucker for a good quote. My journal’s full of them. A good quote distills complex ideas into tiny bite-sized pieces, making them easy to understand and remember.

Pick a quote, marinate on it, and see what nuggets of wisdom you find.

9. A Day in the Life

• Prompt: “Describe a typical day in your life.”

Try writing about everything you did today from start to finish. Some of it may be boring, it’s true. But that’s okay. The point is to notice how you spend your time. Was it productive? Can you see areas where you could’ve used it better?

Take note of distractions that take you away from your goals or stalls your productivity. From there, you can course correct toward better days.

10. Things That Make You Happy

• Prompt: “List five things that make you genuinely happy.”

Thinking about happy things makes you think and feel more positive. It breeds appreciation when life seems dim.

Identifying sources of happiness in your life can help frame your thinking into figuring out ways to get more of it. And who couldn’t use that?

Now, get writing

Journaling consistently can be tough, especially when you’re trying to do it for the first time. Prompts like these can help get you through those times when you’re just not sure what to write.

Whenever you find yourself staring at that ominous blank page, refer back to this list for some inspiration. You’ll be journaling in no time!