You don’t have to wait for a big life event such as a birthday or a life crisis to explore your personality and discover more about yourself.
Journaling is a great form of self-expression and a very powerful way to work through feelings, fears and thoughts. Using a journal has been suggested by many healthcare professionals for its therapeutic properties. Through regular journaling, you are able to grow a deeper connection with yourself and how you react to everything happening around you.
Journal prompts are an essential part of journal writing. They provide quick sources of inspiration on what to write about and are particularly helpful when you are struggling with journal entries. The best way to get to know yourself the same way that you get to know others is to ask important, meaningful questions.
Here are 31 journal prompts that promote self-discovery that will help you to find yourself:
- What distractions hinder your productivity and how can you reduce them?
- What does happiness mean to you?
- What do you need more of in your life?
- What are 10 things that you love about yourself?
- If you couldn’t fail, what would you be doing?
- How can you take better care of yourself?
- What does your dream look like? Describe it in detail.
- What is your greatest strength?
- What do you look for in a close friend?
- How do you draw strength from loved ones?
- What are your strengths in all kinds of relationships?
- What does love mean to you?
- How can you better support and appreciate your loved ones?
- What three ordinary things bring you joy?
- What aspects of your life are you most grateful for?
- What helps you stay focused and motivated when you feel discouraged?
- How do you make time for yourself each day?
- Which emotions do you find hardest to accept? How do you handle these emotions?
- What do you fear most? Have your fears changed as you have got older?
- What is your biggest insecurity?
- What is one thing that you did outside your comfort zone that made you proud of yourself?
- Describe one change you can make that will reduce your overall stress.
- What’s one tiny habit you would like to add to your life?
- What are 3 short-term goals you want to work towards?
- What does success mean to you?
- What makes you feel calm?
- What makes you feel in control?
- How do you notice when you’re near burn-out? How do you avoid it?
- How do you calm your nerves in a difficult situation?
- What is something you have always wanted to do?
- Who are your role models? What is it about them you admire?
- Write a letter for yourself in 5 years time
- What kind of impression do you tend to leave on people in a work setting?
- Describe your perfect job role and be honest
- Does the work you do right now allow you to build on your strengths?
- What was your first job and how have you grown since then?
- Within the next year, how can you improve in your career?
- How are you feeling today?
- Complete this sentence, I am courageous because I ___
- How do you tend to handle upsetting or uncertain situations?
- When you are in a bad mood, what can make your day and mood better?
- Describe a life event that changed you for the better
- What is going right in your life right now?
- What would a perfect day look like for you?
- Describe an occasion when someone was kind to you and you didn’t expect it
- List 5 good things that has happened to you this week
- Do you get enough sleep? Do you usually wake up feeling refreshed?
- Write a letter to your body, could be to congratulate, apologise. Then read it and is it kind?
- Do you regularly take breaks, how do you look after yourself?
- How often do you visit your doctors, dentists? Do you neglect them? If so, why?
- What is your longest standing healthy habit?
- How do you feel about your body?
- What do you want to do with your free time today?
- What are you most grateful for at the moment?
- What worries you the most at the moment?
- What are you going to do today to take care of yourself?
- Were you a happy child?
- What is one life lesson you’ve learned?
- Write one thing you have not been able to let go of?
- How do you make decisions? With your heart or logically?
- What do you do on a bad day to cheer yourself up?
- How do you deal with anger or upset?
- Do you have any future plans you are excited about?
- What can make you lose track of time?
- Finish this sentence, my life wouldn’t be complete without ____
- What is the skill you have that came as a surprise to others?
- What makes you unique?
- Write about a moment you feel brave
- Think about the last time you solved a problem, how did you do it?
- What are the qualities you value in the people around you?
- Who do you miss at the moment?
- What are your feelings towards your parents?
- Are you comfortable with being alone in your own company?
- How do you describe your current relationship status?
- Do you believe in love at first sight? Why?
- How would you like to be remembered?
- Who do you want to be?
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
- What do you think would make the world a better place?
- If you could remove one thing from this world what would it be and why?
Journaling provides you with some many benefits to your mental and physical health. It is often recommended by healthcare professionals to help deal with trauma and much more. If you haven’t journaled before using journal prompts are a great way to get you started and practising the habit.
Benefits of practising journaling regularly:
- Provide you with time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings about situations
- Helps to improve your memory
- Can improve your mental health
- Improves your writing skills
- Helps to reduce blood pressure
- Helps to combat stress and anxiety
Starting to use these journal prompts can help you reflect on where you have come and to inspire and motivate you in your future.
I think I might give this a shot! thank you for sharing
It was good fun! Thank you!
I would love to journal but I struggle with doing it consistently. It’s a goal for this year because I think it could help. Thank you for sharing! Knowing it was such a positive experience makes me want to seriously give this a go! 🙂
Fran x
This is why this challenge is good as you answer a question or write a statement each day. Taking those few minutes out of your day to think or reflect is good x
Keeping a journal is something I like doing. Your post inspires more people to do it.
Thank you!
I’ve really got into journalling over the last month, I find it really therapeutic so I think this would be an amazing idea! Thank you for bringing it to my attention <3
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
It really is therapeutic isn’t it? I hope you continue to enjoy journaling. This challenge, however sometimes a bit anxious to do, was so beneficial! Thank you for reading and commenting Jenny ❤️
I really love this idea! I also really enjoy journalling and find it is great for anxiety and putting my worries onto paper. I think a challenge like this would be a fantastic way to reflect and get clarity. It’s great that each day has a different prompt, it seems like a good way to really get thinking and to get into the habit of writing everyday. Thank you for sharing Lauren, I’m glad you found the challenge a positive experience and you got a lot from it. I’ll have to give it a go myself sometime 🙂 <3 xxx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Yeah I would recommend it was positive and the questions are so varied. Thank you for reading and commenting. Do you still suffer with anxiety lovely?❤️xxx
It sounds great! Will definitely have to try it 🙂 My anxiety is much better now thanks lovely, I had some counselling last year and it really helped me <3 xxx
Oh that’s really good, I am glad ❤️xxx
That’s great! It’s an amazing, not to mention relaxing exercise. I started my self discovery journey a few years ago while writing my travel journal. Blogging has been helping a lot too. Wishing you all the best.
I’ve always loved and relied on journaling to sort out my thoughts and keep track of things like my travels, but I’ve never tried a prompted challenge like this! really cool, might have to give this a go. thanks for sharing 🙂
Hannah
Yeah I have done it since I was little. I remember keeping a diary. Yeah if you do make sure you tag me on Twitter so I can read about your experience x
It was really hun to do. Yeah definitely do. Thank you xx
It definitely helps you with positivity and exploring your feelings. Thank you for sharing! I do the exact same thing. X
Thank you, it’s definitely fun to do x
I would love to complete a challenge like this, I think self care is so important! I do keep a journal and I find that a really lovely way to note down my feelings and focus on self care!
My recent post: https://lifeofellabella.blogspot.com/2019/01/skincare-saviours.html
Thank you for reading and commenting x
That’s a brilliant idea not to mention therapeutic, as you said. I write travel journals and this has been helping a lot in my self-discovery journey. While writing I am able to identify my issues, my struggles, what makes me happy, the same applies to blog. In fact, it was while I was writing my travel journal in Indonesia that I came up with the idea of creating a blog. I can relate to your anxiety. I’m not young but do worry about my future as I’m not happy with my career and need a life change. I wish you all the best, xxx
Ah it finally came through😊. Yeah anxiety can be so difficult sometimes. Thank you for sharing your experience! Xxx
Great post. Really informative.
Love this!
Thank you!
I saw this on Ruth’s blog too. I thought at the time that I should try the challenge but, guess what, I still haven’t 🙁 It sounds like such a therapeutic thing to do, I must try and make tine for it – thank you for the reminder! Xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Yeah it’s definitely a great way to get into journaling too if you don’t usually. Let me know how you get on if you do try it. Thank you for reading and commenting xx
This looks great, I really want to start journaling to help with my mental health as I find writing is the best way to express my thoughts. I too get anxious about the future so maybe this would help!
This is super helpful, great way to get starting journaling x
Thank you! Let me know how you get on if you do try it xxx
Can you send me the link to your blog x
If you don’t normally journal these are a good idea to start! Thank you for reading xx
Thank you for reading and commenting x
I remember seeing Ruth post about this and I had planned to give it a try but then totally forgot. This is my reminder to give this challenge a try. I have always enjoyed journalling but haven’t dont it a long time.
Yeah definitely try it, it’s so good! It’s a great way to get back into it. Thank you for reading and commenting!
This seems like a really neat challenge to take part in. I love how much all the prompts will really make you think!
Thank you so much!! ❤️ it really does help! Thank you for reading and commenting x
Journaling is so wonderful for the spirit, I really like the idea of this challenge.
I like journaling. You should definitely try it
Very nice ❤️
Thank you x
I have not done the challenge, but I have done journaling. I have a tendency to start things and not finish it. Do you have any tips regarding journaling?
Just little and often to start with until it becomes part of your daily routine. But you do what works for you
What is your blog link?