When I first started to write in my journal I felt like a complete beginner – having no idea what to write nor when to write, I just started to write down some things on paper. I remember watching some inspirational videos by Tony Robbins and so my journalling journey had started.
A few months after writing down those very first goals, I looked back to my journal and I realised that I had actualised my goals and brought my dreams to life! I could not believe it but that surely was my very own hand writing. Now I journal most mornings and each Sunday I write a longer, bigger reflection of the week and of my goals and actions.
In this article:
How can journaling help improve yourself?
I have found journalling to be SO helpful in many ways. Over the years I have found that it wasn’t just helpful to track my goals, but more so to help me put down on paper what was in my head – to help me create some clarity. Especially when you read back over your journal you begin to understand yourself so much better! Here are five ways journalling can help improve yourself:
- Journaling helps to organise your thoughts.
- Journaling gets your brain working and getting creative which can lead to new ideas.
- Journalling can help you visualise your dreams – simply put it down on paper and work things out from there, step by step.
- Journaling can reduce your stress and anxiety.
- Self discovery journal prompts can help you find how to improve yourself and your life.
Tips for daily journaling:
- Make it a part of either your morning or night routine. Whichever routine is the most stable for you and doesn’t change often.
- Keep your journal somewhere visible (like your nightstand) so when you see it you remember.
- If possible set a timer on your phone for the time of the day you prefer to journal.
- Make journaling it’s own little routine. For example, if you journal in the morning make it a routine to grab your journal, make your coffee, and then sit in the same quiet place to journal
Although journalling comes me to naturally now, I find it so helpful to have some inspirational prompts to help me rediscover what’s important to me, what my goals are, what persona I want to be, what I need more or less of in my life. So below I’ve gathered my 50 most favourite and helpful journalling prompts.
70 Journalling Prompts to Self Improvement, Personal Growth and Discovery
- What do I need more of in my life?
- What do I need to let go of? (Fears, toxic energy, toxic relationships)
- What are some of my limiting beliefs that might be holding me back?
- What are 10 things I am grateful for today?
- What are 10 positive things about my life? (Things I absolutely love about my life)
- What are 5 ways that I can go out of my comfort zone this year?
- What are 7 things I am really good at?
- Write out 15 positive affirmations (ex: I can achieve anything I set my mind to.)
- If money wasn’t an issue, what would my ideal life be? (Where would I live, what would my career be, what would my family look like)
- What motivates me to keep going?
- How would I describe myself to someone who has never met me before?
- What are 3 of my life passions? (hobbies/things that set my soul on fire)
- Where is my favourite place to go? Why?
- Who is my biggest inspiration and why?
- Where will I be in 5 years?
- What does my ideal day look like?
- What unhealthy habits do I need to cut out?
- What do I love most about myself? (5 things)
- What is something I’ve been wanting to do but have been too afraid to try? (Why am I afraid?)
- What are my top 3 goals for this year and how can I achieve them?
- What do I struggle with the most?
- What are 5 words that describe me best and why?
- How can I add happiness to my daily life?
- What animal describes me as a person and why?
- What do I need to forgive myself for?
- What does success mean to me?
- How can I show myself more love?
- What am I going to achieve next month?
- What negative mindsets do I need to let go of?
- Write out 50 things that make me smile.
- What would I do if I knew I could not fail?
- Where would you be if all of your goals were accomplished?
- What goals have you let fall by the wayside?
- Do your current goals align with your core values?
- What would your highest self say to your current self?
- What’s a limiting perspective or mindset that you’ve lived with your entire life? How are you going to work through it?
- Write down one good habit you want to start working on.
- What are your biggest time wasters?
- What changes do you want to see in your life in five years?
- How can you brighten up your loved ones’ days?
- What do you want to be remembered for, and how can you work toward that?
- How can you stay on top of your goals and New Year’s resolutions?
- What past experiences am I still healing from that I need to give myself grace for?
- What dreams do you need to put on hold for right now so you can pursue your purpose?
- What gets you out of bed in the morning? Are you pursuing that daily?
- What things am I willing to let go of so I can live my best life?
- What habits, memories, relationships, etc. are you holding onto that are keeping you from improving yourself?
- What boundaries do you need to set with others and yourself to prioritise your goals and self care?
- When do I feel most confident in myself, and when do I feel the least confident in myself?
- What would your life look like if you were fully confident in yourself and your opinions? What steps can you take to get closer to that?
- Allow yourself to think about what your ideal life would look like, and then write it all down.
- What’s the first thing you turn to when you feel sad? Is it a healthy thing?
- What are ten things you’re grateful for?
- Who’s approval do you want the most, and why?
- What hobbies did you have as a kid that you dropped? Why did you drop them?
- You’re at your happiest when you’re . . .
- What have you purposefully skipped out on, even if you wanted it? What stopped you?
- What motivates you the most (fear, money, happiness, etc.)?
- Write down a definition of who you are—the good and the bad.
- What activities drain your energy the most?
- What activities give you energy?
- After spending time with someone, do you typically walk away feeling loved or judged?
- Do you assume people judge/dislike you based on past experiences? How can you work through that?
- What are your three biggest pet peeves?
- What’s your biggest insecurity?
- Who inspires you the most and why?
- If money wasn’t an issue, how would you live the rest of your life?
- What negative or traumatic experiences have you let define you, and how can you walk away from them?
- What are you afraid of the most?
- What things have you loved doing all of your life?
