One of the things I talked about with my therapist was journaling my thoughts down. I knew it was a thing that people did, but never really understood the power of writing down my thoughts. It gave me mental clarity, inspired me to do more, motivated me to step out of my comfort zone, and so much more. Below I wrote some of my favorite prompts that I used, so you can journal all your thoughts while challenging your mind to think outside the box.
How do I get started?
It’s super easy and free! All you need is either your phone (you can use your notes app, or download one to get started) or a notebook to physically your thoughts down. Personally, I love to write them down because writing takes more time than typing so it’s easier for me to think about the prompt, so my fingers don’t go faster than my brain.
Once you choose your method of journaling, you pick a prompt and write your honest thoughts! Just remember, this is something only for your eyes unless you want to share them with someone you trust. Really thinking about the prompt and writing down your honest thoughts is the key to mental clarity.
The Prompts
Self-Awareness
This is to help with reflection. I struggled a lot with people pleasing and thinking for other people. This section really helped me start to ask and think for myself without feeling guilty for leaving out other people.
- What are some things on my bucket list?
- When do you feel the most confident?
- What advice would you give your past self?
- Who do I want to be for myself?
- What do I need most in my life right now?
- What is currently holding me back?
- What makes you proud of yourself?
- How can I show myself more kindness?
- What am I looking forward to?
- What memories am I holding on to?
- What do I value most in life?
- What kind of partner, friend, or parent do I want to be?
- What does love feel like when its healthy and safe?
- How do I want to be loved, and how can I offer that to myself?
- What brings me peace?
- How do I handle stress?
Growth
These prompts are to make you think about your future and remove the fear of failure. They have challenged me to take chances and be proud of myself even through the inevitable failure and potential successes.
- What financial goals do I have?
- What career goals do I have?
- What lesson did you learn from a recent failure?
- How do you build resilience?
- What setback can you turn into an opportunity?
- How have your struggles made you stronger?
- In what ways do I want to upgrade my mindset?
- What have I been putting off? Is it because of procrastination, fear, or overwhelm?
- What things (mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally) can I change to better take care of myself?
- What are your core values and are you living in alignment with them?
- What do I want my life to look like in 5 years?
- How can I fully trust myself?
- What are my passions?
- How have I grown this year?
- What do I want my future self to be proud of?
- What makes me feel seen and heard?
- How do I want people to show up for me?
Daily Check In
These are smaller questions, made to help you get through the day. When I have a low mental health day, I found it hard to choose a hard question to answer so these were perfect in celebrating small wins, or helping me think about what good things are to come in the future.
- What went well today?
- What could have gone better?
- What is something you did today that made you proud?
- What small act of kindness can you do right now?
- What is something you’re looking forward to?
- What is my favorite song right now?
- What does my ideal daily routine look like?
- Write a little letter for you to read tomorrow.
- What piece of media has inspired me lately?
- What moment made me happy?
- What is something I can do for myself tomorrow?
- What are three things I’m grateful for?
- How do I want to impact the things/people around me?
- How can I practice self-love today?
- What is a beautiful moment I can revisit?
- What is something I learned today?
- What is something that helps me unwind?
These prompts are simple but are very powerful. I tend to overthink and worry a lot, people please, and beat myself up with the smallest things. I found a lot of those worries not so bothersome with time after starting to journal. Of course, it’s not a one size fits all. Everyone gets through those hard times differently, but I recommend trying to journal for a while and see how it does for you.
I’d love to know how it works out for you!
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