Hello, friend. Can I tell you something? I used to roll my eyes so hard while journaling. You know the stereotype: the teen girl stretched on her bed, penning, “Dear Diary, my life is SO unfair!” That’s exactly what I thought it was about.
Oh, was I ever mistaken.
My Journaling Journey
It’s kind of hilarious (and a bit humiliating) to admit now, but last year I decided to give journaling a serious try. I wasn’t interested in journaling superficial topics, but rather in journaling that delves deeply to uncover hidden gems. And let me tell you, some days it felt like I was excavating aspects of myself that I had no idea existed.
There were times when my pen hovered over the paper, my heart beating because I knew I was going to write something I had avoided thinking about for years. At other times, I would find myself beaming with joy as I rediscovered a fleeting, blissful memory that I had completely forgotten.
When I Started Being Real With Myself
Picture this: I was sitting in my car during lunch break, escaping another toxic workplace drama, when I decided to answer these prompts honestly rather than giving Instagram-worthy comments. That’s when things became interesting.
Deep Prompts That Changed Everything
Identity and Self-Image
- What masks do I wear around certain people, and why?
- What am I pretending not to understand about myself?
- List three things you’re proud of, but don’t tell anyone about
Relationship Reality Checks
- In what ways do I still behave like my younger self in relationships?
- What boundaries do I wish I’d established five years ago?
Career and Purpose
- What would I do tomorrow if there was no money or fear?
- What do I really want, versus what I believe I should want?
Shadow Work (Not for the Faint of Heart)
- What aspects of myself do I hide from others, and why?
- When was the last time I felt like myself?
- What grudges am I still holding?
Future Self Exploration
- What would my 80-year-old self be thankful for today?
- What will they forgive me for not doing?
- What stories do I tell myself about what is possible?
Essential Growth Questions
- What input am I constantly receiving but ignoring?
- What patterns keep appearing in my life?
- What am I most terrified to become?
On Truth
- What reality do I know in my gut yet ignore?
- Where in my life am I settling?
- What should I forgive myself for?
When Things Get Real (My Personal Experience)
One prompt asked, “What dream have you given up on?” I cried for three hours in my journal after realizing that I had given up on my dream of becoming a writer. That entry led to this blog.
Practical Tips (From Someone Who Has Resisted Journaling)
What Really Worked For Me
- Set a timer for 10 minutes (no pressure)
- Writing in my Notes app when a fine journal felt too precious
- Recording voice answers when writing was too difficult
- Returning to the same prompt weekly to track changes
What Didn’t Work
- Trying to journal at the “perfect” moment
- Forcing myself to write while emotionally depleted
- Following someone else’s rigid journaling routine
- Attempting to make my journals Instagram-worthy
The Reality Check Prompts
I return to these every month:
- What is working in my life right now?
- What isn’t working, but I’m pretending it does?
- What conversations do I avoid?
- What decisions am I postponing?
The Growth Track
Monthly Check-Ins
- What has changed about me since last month?
- Which old belief did I challenge?
- What new thing did I learn about myself?
- What pattern have I broken?
The Bottom Line
Here’s what I’ve learned: Journaling doesn’t require perfect handwriting or profound insights every day. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when the results aren’t pretty.
Moving Forward
I keep these prompts in the Notes app on my phone because, let’s be real, inspiration or emotional breakdowns can strike anytime. Some days I write pages, others just a few words. Both are valid.
P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these prompts, start with just one: “What do I need right now?” Sometimes the simplest questions lead to the most profound revelations.
Your Turn
Which prompt speaks to you most? Remember, the goal of these prompts is to help you ask better questions, not to find perfect answers.
JournalingPrompts #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #MentalHealth
