Journaling prompts to get you thinking

I’ve never really practised different forms of journaling beyond my daily gratitude journal, where I send my three things I’m grateful for. Recently, though, I’ve noticed more people writing about longer-form journaling - particularly around the New Year, when there’s a lot of encouragement to reflect on the year just gone or to look ahead to the one to come.

I thought it would be useful to share some of these prompts. The first is from Tara Mohr who writes… “I’m sharing some journaling prompts for a new year. Some may be familiar friends to you from years past; some are fresh inquiries.

May they be doorways, nudges, and matches that spark light.

Because I listened to the whispers inside, next year I…

Because fear of failure no longer held me back, next year I…

Because I am growing into my inner mentor, next year I…

Because simple pleasures are so rich, next year I…

Because so many of the things that brought me joy in childhood still do, next year I…

Because of the remarkable people who have loved me and made me who I am, next year I…

Because resentment doesn’t feel good inside my system, next year I…

Because the silence has gone on long enough, next year I….

Because I am learning new ways of caring for myself, next year I…

Because I need connection to thrive, next year I…

Because my soul needs solitude, next year I…

Because I want to remember this year with tears of gratitude, next year I…”

Tara’s original post links to Courtney Martin on Substak who encourages us to look back and reflect on the year that's just finished. She writes…

“In what ways was this year worse than you expected it to be? In what ways was it better?

• What surprised you the most this year about yourself?

• What was one of your most fun nights of the year?

• What made you laugh this year or helped you lift up and out of a sour mood? (A friend, TV show, podcast etc.)

• Who did you love in a new way this year? What led to the nature of your love changing?”

I thought these were two very different approaches, but both interesting in their own ways.