Journal Prompts - 10 Questions to Reflect Upon while Journaling
Journaling is a powerful practice that can positively benefit your mental health healing journey.
I personally journal for mental health benefits, and I use tools such as Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages” in order to jump start my day.
If you are thinking about journaling for mental health or looking for reflective prompts to up your journaling practice, here are ten journal prompts that I recommend to get started as a beginner journaler.
Morning Journal Prompts:
Gratitude - List three things you are grateful for. Write a few sentences about each - why are you grateful for that particular thing?
Daily intentions - If you could only get one thing done today, what would it be?
Daily appreciation - Who in your life do you need to reach out to and say thank you? Choose only one person, and write specifically why.
Emotional wellness check - How are you feeling right now, in this very moment? Why do you feel this way? What factors are contributing to this current state? What is something that can raise your vibrational frequency that you can access today?
Embracing life’s changes - Reflect on a current situation, transition, challenge, or change that is occuring in your life. How is it affecting you? What opportunities might it bring? What is clearing to make space for new growth or positive change? What do you need to let go? What do you need to grieve, process, or hold space for?
Afternoon/Evening Journal Prompts:
6. Today’s Moments - What was the most challenging moment you faced today? What was the most exciting moment of today? How did you overcome the challenge? How will you add more opportunities to feel excited about tomorrow/the coming days?
7. Daily Achievements - Instead of listing all the things you need to accomplish tomorrow, list all of the things you accomplished today. How did you care for yourself today, emotionally, physically or spiritually? How did you tend to the needs of others today?
8. Acts of Kindness - Describe a moment where someone did something kind for you today. What did you appreciate about that moment? Then, think of a way in which you can reciprocate an act of kindness at some point in the day tomorrow. Who will benefit from your kindness and what is worth seeing through?
9. Highs and Lows + Fast and Slows - What were today’s highs and lows? What parts of the day flew by and which dragged on forever? Over time, do you notice patterns in what drives your highs/lows and fast/slows?
10. Evening Mindfulness - Describe a moment today where you were completely present and engaged. Did you leave space in the day to unplug from technology? Were you able to sit and drink a hot cup of coffee or watch the sky as the sunset? What did you notice about your state, and how did it make you feel? Describe the moment using all five senses.
This list of reflection questions for journal prompts may be something you want to add to your journaling routine. If you are looking to increase your self reflective writing or want more reflective writing journal prompts, be sure to check out my blog post about the power and healing art of journaling.
Emily is a therapist who specializes in working with mental health in young adults — specifically in college students, graduate students, and young professionals undergoing stress, depression, and anxiety. With over ten years of working with students of all ages, from international high school students to college students and to adult English learners, Emily understands the unique challenges that high achieving individuals face when it comes to balancing their mental health and prioritizing their goals. From balancing the demands of her own educational and career journey to navigating the changes and transitions that come with each stage of adulthood, she provides a compassionate and non-judgmental space for early adults, young professionals, and college students to explore their feelings and experiences while learning skills and strategies to support their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Emily’s approach is rooted in evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and motivational interview (MI) while using a trauma-informed feminist lens. Emily is dedicated to empowering individuals better understand their mental health, learn to cope with the ups and downs, and understand their sense of purpose.
