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How to use journaling prompts (with examples)

I know how hard it is to find the time to take care of yourself. 


However, I'm here to remind you that self-care is essential, especially when it comes to your mental health. One self-care activity that I absolutely love is journaling. Writing out your thoughts and feelings can be incredibly therapeutic, and it's a great way to get to know yourself better. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start. That's where journal prompts come in! In this post, I'm going to share some of my favourite journal prompts that I've found helpful in my own self-discovery journey. So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let's get started!





What is journaling exactly

It's like keeping a diary, but with a purpose. Journaling is when you take some time out of your day to write down your thoughts, emotions, experiences, and ideas. It's a great way to get to know yourself better, and to keep track of your growth and progress over time. Think of it as a way to have a conversation with yourself, and to explore your inner world. It can be a really powerful tool for self-discovery and self-reflection. 






Journal prompts

A lot of people who journal will use prompts within their journal.  Journal prompts are questions you can use within your journal, to help you put pen to paper and to help you answer questions about yourself or your life. They can be different every day or you could use the same ones all the time. 

Here are examples of journal prompts:
  • What would I say to my younger self about the world right now? 
  • What is my biggest obstacle? 
  • Why am I feeling this way?
  • When I look in the mirror, what do I see? 

Where to find journal prompts  

You can find prompts by searching the internet, where are many blog posts dedicated to sharing prompt ideas. 

You can also find journal prompt cards designed for you to pick out cards when you are journaling. Journal prompt cards are a fun way to pick out journal questions. 

Please check out my free resource library for printable journal prompt cards. 






Benefits for journaling

Journaling is beneficial by:

  • Letting you release pent-up emotions: Sometimes, we may feel overwhelmed by our emotions, and it can be hard to express them verbally. Writing them down can help you release these emotions and feel a sense of relief.
  • Allowing you to organise your thoughts: Writing down your thoughts can help you organise them and make sense of them. It can also help you identify patterns or recurring themes in your thoughts.
  • Enhancing emotional breakthroughs: Journaling can help you work through difficult emotions and experiences. It can also help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your reactions to certain situations.
  • Aiding you to record symptoms, goals, and even personal growth: Journaling can be a great way to track your progress towards your goals. It can also be helpful to record any symptoms you may be experiencing, as well as any personal growth you may be experiencing.
  • Helping you to express emotions without having the fear of judgment: Journaling is a safe space where you can express your emotions without fear of judgment. It's a place where you can be completely honest with yourself.
  • Allowing you to understand how you really feel about a certain situation of event: Writing down your thoughts and feelings about a certain situation can help you gain clarity and understanding about how you really feel.
  • Giving you the chance to reread and reprocess previous events: Journaling allows you to revisit past experiences and reflect on how you've grown and changed since then. It can also be a helpful tool in processing any unresolved emotions or experiences.





How to journal

To get the most out of journaling, try to: 

  • Write without censor. This is your journal, and no one else needs to read it. This is your space to be completely honest and open with yourself. You might be surprised at what comes out when you give yourself the freedom to write without holding back.
  • Try to write quickly. This helps to encourage the flow of thoughts and ideas, and eliminates the opportunity for judgement to creep in. Don't worry about making everything sound perfect - just get it down on paper.
  • Forget about spelling and punctuation. Your journal is not an English essay. This is a space for you to express yourself, and spelling and punctuation should not be a hindrance to that.
  • Keep going! It may take some practice to get into a good flow, but don't give up. The more you write, the easier it will become, and the more benefits you will reap.
  • Don't be afraid to include more than just words in your journal. You can add important information that you want to collect and keep, or even photos of yourself. This is your space, so make it your own.

Don’t forget - Journaling is something that gets easier the more you do it.

I'm excited to share with you 20 unique journal prompts that will help you on your journey of self growth, self discovery, and self love.

  1. What is something that you've been wanting to try, but have been hesitant to do? Why?
  2. What are three things you're grateful for today?
  3. What is a fear that you have? How can you overcome it?
  4. What is something that you've accomplished recently that you're proud of?
  5. What is a goal that you have for yourself? What steps can you take to achieve it?
  6. What is something that you'd like to forgive yourself for? Why?
  7. What is a limiting belief that you have? How can you reframe it?
  8. What is something that you're passionate about? How can you incorporate it into your daily life?
  9. What is a habit that you'd like to break? What steps can you take to break it?
  10. What is a habit that you'd like to cultivate? What steps can you take to cultivate it?
  11. What is a lesson that you've learned recently? How can you apply it to your life?
  12. What is something that you're struggling with? How can you ask for help?
  13. What is a boundary that you'd like to set? Why is it important to you?
  14. What is something that you'd like to let go of? Why?
  15. What is something that you'd like to manifest in your life? Why is it important to you?
  16. What is a book that you've read recently that has impacted you? How has it impacted you?
  17. What is a quote that resonates with you? Why?
  18. What is a friendship that you're grateful for? Why?
  19. What is something that you're looking forward to? Why?
  20. What is a self-care practice that you'd like to incorporate into your routine? How can you make time for it?

I hope these journal prompts help you on your journey of self-discovery and self-love.







Head and Heart Books has a free Resource library where you will find a range of useful goodies.




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