Journaling can help control your feelings by improving your mood. Similar to talking and being able to express yourself, journaling helps prioritize problems, and identifies fears and concerns. Journaling gives us an opportunity to put all of our feelings onto a piece of paper and express ourselves through positive self-talk, identifying negative thoughts, and working towards personal growth/wellness.
Below are a few journal prompts that you can choose from. They have been divided up by category (art, COVID-19, mental health, personal growth/goals, reflections, and gratitude). When choosing a prompt, we recommend trying to write for 10-15 minutes at least. Review what you write and look for positive self-talk, identifying some of the negative thoughts, and notice when there is personal growth.
Is there a word that has a special meaning for you? Or maybe you just like how it sounds? Write it down and make art around it. Experiment with fonts, the size of the letters, draw some doodles around.
This is a whole new story! It changes the whole perspective of drawing and doodling. You must try it.
Quarantine has taught
me . . .
I'm glad I don't have to ______ anymore.
I'm going to tell my kids/grandkids that this
was . . .
One thing I wish the world would learn from this is . . .
The worst part of all this has
been . . .
The most bizarre thing I've heard so far is . . .
My binge-worthy show has been . . .
The first thing I'm going to do when this is all over is . . .
Something I've learned about myself during this time is . . .
The biggest way my life has changed is . . .
An average day for me now looks
like . . .
My go-to snack has been . . .
5 things I won't take for granted again once this is over would be . . .
10 best things about self-isolation
What are you putting off right now? Why? How can you change it?
5 life lessons you will teach the future generation
Permission to rant . . . get it all out
What do you want to achieve before COVID ends? What is 1 step you can take today to get it started?
Envision your dream daily routine . . . write it down
30 things that make you smile
Who are the people you miss the most?
Do you think the pandemic has had any positive impacts on your mental health? If so, what?
Do you think the pandemic has had any negative impacts on your mental health? If so, what?
How are you going to change your behavior after the pandemic?
Write about how you spent your time today
What have you learned about yourself?
What are your greatest fears and anxieties at the moment?
If my mood was a color, what color would it be and why?
5 indoor activities that bring me joy and I'd like to do more of are . . .
How have my sleep habits been lately? What helps or does not help?
Three things that help me feel alive are . . .
What is one life lesson I have learned this past month?
When things are tough, I want to remember . . .
What is your favorite quote? Why?
List 3 of your triggers and ways you can deal with them.
What do you wish more people knew about you and why?
List 3 of your greatest qualities
What made you happy today?
What made you upset today?
How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
What are some activities you can start doing to improve your mental health?
What positive lessons have struggling with your mental health taught you?
What do you need to let go of in your life right now?
Anxiety isn't in control of me. I'm strong because . . .
What has helped me overcome anxiety in the past is . . .
List 5 things I want to remind myself of every day
List 5 songs that make you happy and upbeat
Are my worries realistic?
On a scale of 1-10, my mental health is at a ____ because . . .
What are three things you can do to improve your mental health?
My top 3 accomplishments are . . .
On a scale of 1-10, my anxiety level is ___
because . . .
Write 3 positive things that happened to you today. Write as much detail as you can.
Make a list of everything that you are worried about. Can be big or small things.
Make a list of your favorite compliments that you have received from others.
Think back to when you failed at something. Write about what you have learned from this experience
What strategies have you used to help you cope with your anxiety? Rank them from 1-10: 1 least effective to 10 being the most effective for anxiety relief
On my worst days, I want to remember that _________
What is something you can do today to make yourself feel better tomorrow?
What is the thing you value most in life and why?
If you could only keep 3 things in the world, what would you keep and why?
Write about a time you overcame your anxiety
Write about something you're looking forward to
Describe your biggest accomplishments
Describe your dream life. How could you make this dream a reality?
When are you the most inspired, most motivated, most charged up?
How can you make your life more meaningful starting today?
What are your core values?
What are some of the biggest things you've learned in life to date?
Is there something you are holding on to? Is it time to let go?
Where do you see yourself in 6 months? A year? 5 years?
What distractions are hindering your productivity?
What actions could you take today to simplify your life?
Who do you look up to the most? Why?
How do you spend your Sundays?
What do you need more of in your life?
If you couldn't fail, what would you do?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
What's your dream job?
What is your biggest strength? Weakness?
What quality do you admire the most about yourself?
What personal habits would you like to change?
What is something you would like to learn?
List 3 hobbies you would like to have someday
What did you learn this week?
Who inspires you, and why?
What would your perfect day be like?
What would you do if you had unlimited time and money?
What are the 3 excuses you make the most?
What's something you thought you couldn't do, but did anyway?
What would you tell your best friend when he/she feels insecure?
Are you happy about how you spend your time? What would you change?
What does confidence mean to you?
How do you want people to remember you?
How do you want to think and feel about yourself?
How did your past shape you into who you are today?
What would you do if fear didn't stop you?
What can you talk about for 20 minutes straight?
If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be? Why?
What made you last laugh?
What does success mean to you?
Who can you reach out to today?
What can you do today to check one of those things off your list?
I trust that . . .
I've always found . . .
I most fear . . .
I was shocked when . . .
I wish I knew . . .
I've never talked to anyone about . . .
One of my biggest regrets is . . .
My biggest personal growth has been in the area of . . .
What's most important to me is . . .
It feels too difficult for me to . . .
I find it easy to . . .
I feel humbled by . . .
I think people think I am . . .
It's taken me a long time to . . .
One of my most precious memories is . . .
I think that the meaning of life is . . .
The qualities I admire the most in people
are . . .
I don't let people see the side of me that is . . .
I want to help make the world a better place by . . .
Staring at the night sky, I think about . . .
I'm starting to understand . . .
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for? Why?
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
What are your biggest priorities in life? Top 10, with 1 being the top priority.
What do you think of when you hear the word "self-care"? What does it mean to you? How can you practice it more?
If you had any super power, what would it be and why?
What are five things you can't live without? Why?
30 Days of Gratitude:
A person I'm glad to have in my life
My favorite part of the evening
Something I find comfort in
My guilty pleasure
My favorite part of the morning
One good thing that happened today
My favorite memory
How I show gratitude for my friends
An accomplishment I'm proud of
Something I love about a family member
A hidden blessing in a difficult situation
Something positive about my body
An opportunity I'm grateful for
A challenge I'm grateful for
My favorite song (& why)
A compliment that made me feel good
A life lesson I have learned
The best gift I've ever received
The item I treasure most
A future event I'm excited about
The biggest gift in my life right now
The people who mean the most to me
Some positive news I've gotten recently
My favorite part about nature
My favorite area in my home
Something that made me laugh today
A memory that makes me smile
A book I loved reading
Something beautiful I saw today
A freedom I am grateful for
Gratitude Challenge
Someone you are grateful for
Some place you are grateful for
A food you really love
An experience you treasure
A teacher who impacted you
A skill you are grateful for
A trip you loved
A role model who inspired you
A dessert you can't get enough of
A time you were given a helping hand
A book you are grateful or
A lesson you are grateful for
One of your very best days
Your favorite smell(s)
A place you feel cozy and secure
Someone who believes in you
An activity you love to do
Something that relaxes you
A sound that makes you happy
Something or someplace that makes you feel alive
A favorite childhood memory
A goal you achieved
Something that makes you feel peaceful
A person who makes you laugh
A place that gives you a sense of wonder
Your favorite family tradition
The best gift you ever received
Something you created that you're proud of
Your favorite flavors
Something about yourself that is pretty cool