10 Prompts to help you begin your journaling journey

With life comes ups, downs, twists, turns, positives, and negatives. Unfortunately and fortunately, that’s just the way it is. As humans we have to process this, and there wasn’t a manual we were given when we were younger on ‘How To Life’. And why would there have been? For most of us, when we were younger, we didn’t understand the implications of stress and other negative things happening in our life. Now as adults, we do. And again, for most of us, we don’t know how to handle it.

One thing I enjoy doing, but also find that it truly helps, is journaling. It can really be about anything such as how my day is going, ranting, following certain prompts, the list can go on. I find it helps journaling when things become a little too much in my mind and I have to let it out. There are unhealthy ways to let things out such as misdirected anger and turning to substances to name a few. But with journaling, it’s just me and the pages with no judgements waiting on the sidelines. I also know that when I am journaling, I find myself begin to relax, and I almost become in a trance. When I have completed writing for whether 5 minutes or 20 minutes, I feel I have a clearer picture of what is going on and I am ready to take on what comes next.

The thing with journaling is, something detrimental doesn’t have to happen in order to begin the practice. With that being said, I almost find it just as beneficial to journal about positive aspects of my life. Personally, I don’t necessarily do this to look back on, but more so I can remind myself that there are good days with little to no stress or negative occurrences in that moment. When writing with gratitude (Positive Psychology), you can boost your well being, help achieve goals, aid in becoming more open in social situations, and overall increase happiness and health.

Journaling helps you accept your feelings and manage stress (Positive Psychology).  Other benefits include helping manage depression, anxiety, and may help heal traumatic events in your life.

When I first started journaling, I found it really hard to focus on what I wanted to get off my chest. A brain dump every now and again truly helps me, but sometimes I want to keen in on maybe something that I am hiding from myself, not quite sure how to say, or just need help expressing. And I am here to help!

Here are 10 journaling prompts that could help you get started on your journaling journey:

  1. Write about what is.

No ranting, just let what is, be. So what’s going on? What happened today, this week, this month? And just write it out.

  1. What is something you would like to say to your past self?

You can frame it as a letter, a list, or an essay. Would your past self be happy with where you are? Sad? What would they be harvesting for you?

  1. What are 7 things you are grateful for?

For writing with gratitude practice.

  1. How has journaling helped you?

Recognize the practice and truly what it has done. You might have to take a deep look into the past, perhaps?

  1. What is your biggest motivation to get up in the morning? What is your biggest motivation to stay in bed?

We all have at least one of each!

  1. What are you worried about right now?

It can be something small or large, but recognize it and accept it.

  1. Where do you find peace?

I find peace with my loved ones, my dog, reading, and on the beach! Where do you?

  1. Write a letter to your anxious thoughts.

Let it out.

  1. Make a list of things you can/will do for self care.

I am going to try working on shutting down my technology earlier in the evening. It is important to give ourselves breaks.

  1. Make a list of why you have faith in yourself.

This is personal, and also one that truly reminds ourselves that we are worth it.

Give journaling a try! You might be surprised.

Sources:

https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

XO