Today, I have something really special for you: 38 journal prompts for self-discovery. It’s an opportunity for me to share something that, for a number for years, has been hugely beneficial for me – journaling. I think of journaling as being like having a conversation with my soul. It’s a fantastic tool that helps me to really dig deep – to set aside the illusion of the material world and ‘tune in’ to my inner thoughts and beliefs, and get in touch with my emotions.
This post has certainly been a long time coming for, over the years, I’ve collected many journaling prompts. Not only are they useful to overcome writer’s block, but thought-provoking questions are a great tool for personal growth too.
So, here are some of my favourite journal prompts for self-discovery:
Personality
- The kind of person I am not is…
- What makes you unique?
- What are the traits of a good person? Do you exemplify these traits? What qualities feel the most important for you to embody?
- Finish this sentence: “I can’t stand it when other people…” Examine those character flaws. Do you also possess them?
- If the people in your life described you, what do you think they’d say? Is that a description you like? What type of person would you like to be known as? Consider what people like about you and whether these the same things you like about yourself.
- What are your best qualities? List the 15 things you love most about yourself.
- What are your greatest strengths? Does the work you do right now let you build on your strengths? Do you have any strengths and talents that you’re not utilizing on a regular basis?
- What is your greatest weakness? What impact does this have on your life?
- What compliment do you want the most?
Mindset + Morals
- Finish this sentence: “Something I would love to do but I’m not sure I can is…” Now consider how you could overcome your limiting beliefs.
- What fears hold you back from living your best life?
- When you think about your future, what do you fear the most?
- What do you value most in life?
- Are you a spiritual person? Describe your beliefs and/or doubts. How do those beliefs affect how you live your life?
- What are your core values and morals? Are you living life in accordance with them, and do your goals align with them?
- Imagine a world where you could do anything you like without being judged by others. Would you do anything differently?
Joyful Living
- What brings you joy?
- Make a list of everything and everyone that inspires you. Include books, people, quotes, topics, places and activities.
- What do you love about life? Write a list of 99 things you love.
- When you’re in a bad mood or feeling down, what can you do to cheer yourself up and turn your day around?
- What does happiness mean to you?
- Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.
- What would a perfect day look like for you? Consider how you would live your day-to-day life if money were of no concern.
- What activities set your soul on fire and leave you feeling more energised? How can you add something fun into your everyday routine?
Relationships
- What makes you feel loved?
- What do you value most in a close friend? Do you have those characteristics?
- Whose approval do you want the most, and why? Why are you looking for approval from others?
- Discuss how the people in your life make you feel. How do you perceive yourself after spending time with them? How will that affect how you spend time with them in the future?
- Do the people in your life understand you well? Is there something you wish they knew about you? How are you most often misunderstood by other people?
Life Goals
- What do you want to be remembered for, and how can you work towards that? What do you think your legacy would be currently?
- What does success mean to you? How would your life look if you were “successful”?
- What’s one topic you need to learn more about to help you live a more fulfilling life?
- Compose a bucket list.
- What is the number one problem you would like to solve (or see solved) in the world?
- What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
- If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do? What would you be doing a year later?
- When you think about your future, what do you hope for the most? if you could gaze into a crystal ball and learn the answer to one question about your future, what would you ask? What would you hope to see?
- Pick one thing that’s standing in the way of your dreams. What could you achieve if that one thing was removed from your life?
