Self Discovery Journal Prompts

How are you using your journal for self discovery?

The list for what a journal can do is long and extensive. Everyone uses their journal for different things, from gratitude journaling to recording your daily life. Another amazing benefit you get from writing in a journal is to use it for self discovery.

This means you can help with difficult situations in your life by writing in your journal. It doesn’t replace professional help, but it can be an amazing tool to have as part of your mental health routine.

When You Need to Talk About Your Feelings

This is one of the main reasons people seek professional therapy, so it makes sense that you can use your journal for the same thing. Use your journal to write about how you are feeling, vent your frustrations, and try to come to terms with anything you are struggling with. Use your journal to dump all those thoughts and feelings. Get them out of your head and work through them.

To Work Through a Difficult Situation

Are you dealing with something stressful or hard in your life? This is exactly when you should use your journal the most. Often, we need to navigate through different thoughts you have about something. Keeping it all in your head makes you feel you are going in circles, but you never really get anywhere.

Making a Hard Choice

Sometimes all you need to make a difficult or complicated decision is to get some perspective. That is what a journal can help you get by talking (writing) it out. Journaling helps you find clarity about these types of decisions, whether that means just writing about the decision and which direction you’re considering, or making a pros and cons list.

Finding the Next Direction in Your Life

Another similar way to use a journal for self discovery is when you’re not sure about the direction of your life and what you want to focus on next. This isn’t necessarily something you figure out with one journal entry, but over time it will make a difference. Start using the journal every day to write whatever you are thinking or feeling and be honest about how you feel about your life, and what other things you might want to explore. One day, you will have an epiphany thanks to your journal.

When You Want to Forgive Someone

If you are struggling with a friendship or relationship because of something they did, forgiveness is important. The hard part is knowing how and when to forgive. You can use your journal to work all this out. Detail what happened and why it was so hurtful to you. Write about why you want to forgive them, and what is holding you back. This alone can give you the clarity you need.

50 Self Discovery Journal Prompts

[Tweet “50 Self Discovery Journal Prompts”]

1. Write a letter to yourself–about the things you LOVE about yourself.
2. List 5 things you can do for yourself today.
3. Come up with 10 things you can do for yourself this month.
4. Spend 5 minutes writing about any subject, using this time to reflect on yourself and your life at the moment.
5. Name a place you would go right now if you could go anywhere.
6. Did you imagine you would be alone, or with someone else?
7. Meditate for 5 minutes, then write about the experience.
8. Take 10 minutes a day to do something all for you, then journal about the experience.
9. What are 7 things that bring you a sense of peace?
10. Who are 5 people that make you feel loved?
11. What is 1 activity that cheers you up, no matter what?
12. What is a compliment you love to get?
13. How have you complimented yourself today?
14. Describe your best physical quality.
15. What is your best inner quality?

It’s important to focus on the positive aspects of ourselves
that we often attempt to downplay or ignore.

16. What makes you special?
17. Why do you appreciate yourself and your life?
18. What do you feel you deserve in a romantic partner?
19. What are some words you always try to live by?
20. How can you love yourself more?
21. Describe your perfect day.
22. Delve deeper – who were you with, where did you go, what makes that the perfect day?
23. When do you feel happy in your skin?
24. Ignore your flaws–what is one feature you would NEVER want to change?
25. What is a way you indulge yourself often?
26. Why do you deserve to love yourself?
27. What is a quote that teaches great self-love and acceptance?
28. What would you tell your teenage self if you could?
29. How could you indulge a little more?
30. What is one lesson you can teach a younger you?
31. Write down 5 affirmations to get you through the day.
32. Reflect on accountability in your life at the moment.
33. What are some ways you improved in the last year?
34. What are some important lessons you learned?
35. Is there anything keeping you up at night?
36. What have your dreams been like lately? Write down the ones you remember.
37. What do you wish you could dream about tonight?
38. What are your biggest 3 priorities in life?
39. Are you happy that these are the first priorities that came to mind?
40. What are some of your biggest fears?
41. What fear do you believe is keeping you from achieving your goals?
42. Create a mind map of what you are dealing with right now.
43. What are some actionable steps you can take to overcome your fears?
44. Discuss 3 of your challenges and 3 resolutions.
45. What is your favorite way to relax?
46. You are afraid if people knew about this, they wouldn’t accept you. What is it?
47. Add 7 more items to your bucket list.
48. What do you think is your biggest regret?
49. Think about someone you love–who came to mind? Write about them.
50. Make a list of the 10 best moments of your life.