121 Journaling Prompts to get you Started

If you’re just starting out with a journaling practice, it can be hard to know what to write about. These journaling prompts will get you started on your journey with art, self care, gratitude, mindfulness and other creative journaling! Whether you want to journal every day or just when the mood strikes you, this prompt list will give you a jumping off point. The more you journal the easier it will get so don’t stare at that blank page for one more moment. Pick something from this list of journaling prompts and get your pen moving.

I don’t want to stifle your thoughts but it can be helpful to start your journal entry with the date and the prompt you chose to work from – so you can remember later on that the entry was spurred on by a prompt. Otherwise you might be confused in 5 years time as to why you chose to dedicate a page and a half to the memory of a toy from childhood. Other than that, try to approach these journaling prompts with an open mind. You do not have to write a master piece for each one. The only goal of a prompt is to spark up a thought or two. Where you take it after that is up to you and there is no right or wrong way to do so. Your entries can be based in reality or they may be a work of fiction – it really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your journaling practice. Sometimes getting pen to page is the only goal if you were to ask me, I think that’s the only bit that matters.

Journaling Prompts for when you don’t know what to write

Journaling Prompts for Mindfulness

1. Draw a spiral – slowly. Fill the whole page
2. Write a page of numbers – or numbers 1-100 if you don’t wish to do a whole page use numerals or write them out long form.
3. Write a word beginning with the letter A, then do the rest of the alphabet too.
4. Fill a page with small stickers. If you don’t have any, use tape.
5. Colour each line on the page a different colour.
6. Write the 5-4-3-2-1 anxiety coping exercise out. Write down 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste or instead write one thing you like about yourself.
7. Close your eyes. Think about a piece of fruit. Open your eyes and write out what type of fruit it was. Include colour, texture, smell, and any other features.
8. Write your name in all capital letters. Then all lower case letters. Repeat for 10 lines.
9. Write the lyrics to your favourite song.
10. Transcribe lines from your favourite book.

Journaling Prompts for How to Plan your Life

1. What are 5 things you want to start doing?
2. What are 5 things you want to stop doing?
3. Is there somewhere you’d like to go?
4. Is there a large project you want to work on?
5. Are there skills you want to or need to learn to complete your project or take your trip?
6. What would your life look like if you met all your goals?
7. What would your life look like if you didn’t?
8. Are there resources you need that you don’t have? What are they?
9. How can you acquire those resources? Do you need to fund-raise or do research to source them out?
10. What is your best skill? Can you use that skill to aid you in any of the above? How?
    

Journaling Prompts to Boost Creativity

1. What would happen if you took an egg out of the fridge and threw it?
2. What would a wild pig do in your home?
3. If you found yourself alone in the woods, how would you handle it?
4. Draw a map from your front door to a magic portal.
5. Your doorbell rings and it’s someone who has come for tea. Who is it?
6. You jump from an airplane, where does your parachute land you?
7. Draw two unlikely foes making angry faces at each other.
8. Close your eyes and pick 5 coloured markers or pencils. Make an image with the colours.
9. Read page 50 of the book closest to you – What is one thing that stands out?
10. Finish the sentence: The very last time I ever…
    

Journaling Prompts for Self Care

1. List 5 things you can do when you feel stressed out
2. List 5 things you give up for other people. Schedule 1 into your planner.
3. List 5 things you enjoy when you’re alone in the house.
4. Pick one thing your body did well today and write about it.
5. I feel powerful when I …
6. Something I need to let go of is…
7. Write a letter to your 85 year old self. What do you forgive yourself for?
8. Think about a skill you’d like to be better at, and make a plan to achieve that skill goal.
9. Make a to-do list of 3 practices from lines 1, 2 and 3 and do them all. Cross them off the list upon completion.
10. What is something, even something small, you accomplished this week or today? Take a moment to celebrate your win by recording it in your journal.
11. There was a time you failed. What did or can you learn from that failure?
12. List 3 things that annoy you. Schedule into your planner a time to fix, complete or remove those items.
13. Choose a social cause that is important to you and make a donation. Record it in your journal.
14. If I had 1 extra hour in my day I would…Schedule that hour into your planner for next week and do the thing!
15. Write about something that is inspiring you this week.
16. Write a letter to someone and either leave it in your journal, or send it.
17. I wish others appreciated this about me…..celebrate that thing in your journal.
18. Write down 3-5 things you’d like to improve about your morning routine. Do one of them tomorrow morning.
19. Write down 4 things you love to eat. Put at least one of those on the grocery list.
20. Keep a log of all the times you went for a walk or other easy physical activity.
21. If you could have your dream house with a front porch, write about what it might be like to sit there for 20 minutes.