40 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery and Self-Love

Happy Monday! It’s a new week – and a new month since we last chatted! If you recall, one of my goals for the remainder of the year was to journal more. Since I posted that a month ago, I’ve brainstormed exactly zero journal prompts and journaled exactly zero times. Whoops.

To be honest, I’ve had a lifelong struggle with the idea of journaling. In elementary school, some so-called friends and all-around mean girls found and read my diary while at my house and told the whole school who I had crushes on. Pretty painful for a 9-year-old, and ever since, I’ve been extremely cautious about putting my true feelings and fears in writing – even though the rational side of me understands my days of school-yard bullies are over.

That said, you’ll read in every personal-development book and hear from every therapist that journaling is an excellent tool for self-discovery and self-love. My own therapist recommended it, and heck, I’ve recommended it to others in conversation. So, I’m biting the bullet.

Today I’m sharing 40 journal prompts that should get me through the rest of the year. I’ve handpicked some that aren’t too cringey and that I think will get me started on the right foot.

40 Journal Prompts

What are five things you love about your personality?
What are five things you love about your looks or style?
How do you want people to feel when they’re around you and what can you do to make this happen?
What is something someone has told you about yourself that you’ve never forgotten?
List 15 things that make you really happy.
What are your three biggest pet peeves?
Write about someone who inspires you.
Where is your dream vacation to? What will you do when you’re there?
What are your five all-time favorite songs?
What are your five all-time favorite books?
What are your five all-time favorite movies?
What is an inspirational quote or words of wisdom you want to live by?
What is something you miss from a time in your past?
Write about a lesson you learned the hard way.
Write a letter to someone. Send it – or don’t.
What’s one area in life you’re kicking ass in right now?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Where do you see yourself in twenty-five years?
What are characteristics you value in a friend? In a significant other?
Use one word to describe how you feel about yourself today and why.
What’s one fear that’s holding you back in life?
If you could support a charity by donating time or money, what would it be and why?
What is a habit you’d like to eliminate?
Describe what an ideal day for you looks and feels like.
Write about a place you call home.
What are you thankful for?
What fictional character do you most relate to and why?
What is one life regret?
What are 10 things that help you relax?
Write a letter to your teenaged self.
Write a letter to your 80-year-old self.
What is a fact about you that you don’t often share?
Name three priorities in your life.
If your bucket list was only one item long, what would be on it?
How do you feel about spirituality / religion?
Name one skill you’d like to teach others.
What is an accomplishment that makes you really proud?
What is your favorite season and why?
If money were no object, what would be one fun purchase?
Write one life goal and how you will work to achieve it.