Hey friend, can I tell you something? I used to roll my eyes so hard at journaling. You know that stereotype – the teen girl sprawled on her bed, scribbling “Dear Diary, my life is SO unfair!” Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought it was all about.
Oh man, was I ever wrong.
It’s kind of funny (and a little embarrassing) to admit this now, but last year I decided to give journaling a real shot. Not the surface-level stuff, but the dig-deep-until-you-find-treasure kind of journaling. And let me tell you – some days it felt like I was excavating parts of myself I didn’t even know existed.
There were moments when my pen would hover over the page, my heart racing because I knew I was about to write something I’d been avoiding thinking about for years. Other times, I’d catch myself grinning like a fool because I’d just unlocked some random happy memory I’d totally forgotten about.
Look, I’m not saying it was all profound revelations and life-changing epiphanies. Some days, my entries were basically just “Today sucked because my coffee maker broke.” But even those seemingly mundane entries taught me something about what really matters to me (apparently, my morning coffee ranks pretty high on that list!).
Now, after a year of this journey – and trust me, “journey” isn’t even an exaggeration here – I want to share the prompts that quite literally changed how I see myself. Not because they’re magical or revolutionary, but because they forced me to sit with myself and answer questions I’d been dodging for years.
These aren’t your typical “What are you grateful for?” prompts (though hey, those have their place too). These are the ones that made me pause, think, and sometimes even put down my pen and walk away because I wasn’t ready to answer them yet. And that’s exactly why they worked.
So here I am, opening up my journal – and my heart – to share what worked for me. Maybe you’ll find something here that speaks to you too. And if you’re still rolling your eyes at the thought of journaling? Well, I’ve been there. But I’m living proof that sometimes the most powerful changes start with just putting pen to paper.
When I Started Getting Real With Myself
Picture this: Me, sitting in my car during lunch break, avoiding another toxic workplace drama, when I decided to actually answer these prompts honestly instead of giving the Instagram-worthy responses. That’s when things got interesting.
The Prompts That Made Me Uncomfortable (In a Good Way)
Identity & Self-Image
- What masks do I wear around different people, and why?
(This one hit hard when I realized I had a different personality for every social circle) - What am I pretending not to know about myself?
(Cue existential crisis at 2 AM) - List three things you’re proud of that you never tell anyone about
(Because somehow, we’re taught to hide our pride)
Relationship Reality Checks
- In what ways am I still acting like my younger self in relationships?
(Turns out I’m still that teenager afraid of abandonment – fun times)
- What boundaries do I wish I had set five years ago?
(Writing this list was both liberating and slightly depressing)
Career & Purpose
- If money and fear didn’t exist, what would I do tomorrow?
(Warning: This might make you question your entire career path) - What do I actually want, versus what I think I should want?
(The difference between these lists was eye-opening)
The Deep-Dive Prompts That Changed Everything
Shadow Work (Not for the Faint of Heart)
- What part of myself do I hide from others, and why?
- When was the last time I felt truly myself?
- What grudges am I still holding onto?
Future Self Exploration
- What would my 80-year-old self thank me for doing today?
- What would they forgive me for not doing?
- What stories am I telling myself about what’s possible?
The Uncomfortable But Necessary Questions
On Growth
- What feedback do I keep getting but ignore?
- What patterns keep showing up in my life?
- What am I most afraid of becoming?
On Truth
- What truth do I know in my gut but am ignoring?
- Where in my life am I settling?
- What do I need to forgive myself for?
When It Gets Real (My Personal Experience)
Let me share something vulnerable: One prompt asked, “What dream have you given up on?” and I spent three hours crying in my journal because I realized I’d given up on being a writer somewhere along the way. That entry led to this blog.
Practical Tips (From Someone Who Resisted Journaling)
What Actually Worked For Me:
- Setting a timer for 10 minutes (no pressure)
- Writing in my Notes app when a fancy journal felt too precious
- Voice recording answers when writing felt too hard
- Coming back to the same prompt weekly to track changes
What Didn’t Work:
- Trying to journal at the “perfect” time
- Forcing myself to write when emotionally drained
- Following someone else’s strict journaling routine
- Trying to make my journals Instagram-worthy
The Reality Check Prompts
These are the ones I return to monthly:
- What’s working in my life right now?
- What isn’t working but I’m pretending it is?
- What conversations am I avoiding?
- What decisions am I avoiding making?
The Growth Track
Monthly Check-ins:
- What’s different about me from last month?
- What old belief did I challenge?
- What new thing did I learn about myself?
- What pattern did I break?
The Bottom Line
Here’s what I’ve learned: Journaling isn’t about having perfect handwriting or profound insights every day. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when the answers aren’t pretty.
Moving Forward
I keep these prompts in my phone’s Notes app, because let’s be real – inspiration (or emotional breakdowns) can hit anywhere. Some days I write pages, others just a word or two. Both are valid.
P.S. If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed by all these prompts, start with just one: “What do I need right now?” Sometimes the simplest questions lead to the biggest revelations.
YOUR THOUGHTS: What prompt resonates most with you? Share in the comments – let’s get real together.
Remember: These prompts aren’t about finding perfect answers; they’re about asking better questions.