Want To Get In Touch With Yourself? Here Are 77 Journaling Prompts To Help
Let the self discovery begin.
Image by BONNINSTUDIO / Stocksy June 27, 2023 Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may We all have thousands of thoughts running around our head on a given day—so many that it can require intention and attention to self reflect and integrate what you're going through. Putting pen to paper and giving those thoughts somewhere to go, also known as journaling, is one of the best ways you can get in touch with yourself and learn something about who you are in the process. Here's why, plus 77 journaling prompts for self discovery to help you get started.
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How (& why) to work with journaling prompts
Journaling allows us to explore our own mind, reflect, and discover things about ourself we may not have known otherwise. As artist and author of the Create Your Own Calm guided journal, Meera Lee Patel, previously told mindbodygreen, "The purpose of journaling is to awaken conscious thinking, which is simply having an honest conversation with yourself."
She adds that it's a great way to get to know yourself a little better, noting, "Through journaling, I have learned how to organize my thoughts, alleviate stress, and challenge certain ideas and habits I previously believed were inherent parts of me."
And research on journaling backs this up, too. Numerous studies show that journaling can help with everything from boosting your own emotional awareness, to increasing your mental wellbeing. As one 2018 study1 notes, in a web-based journaling protocol, participants showed less depressive symptoms and anxiety after one month of journaling, and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care.
Journaling prompts are simply questions or statements meant to help inspire you to write. If you're unsure where to start or what to write about, they're a great way to get your gears turning, with virtually limitless prompts to choose from. (That said, here are our favorite guided journals if you're in the market for one.)
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77 journal prompts for self discovery
All of the following prompts are approved by experts, including Patel, licensed marriage and family therapist Tiana Leeds, M.A., LMFT, and board-certified clinical psychologist Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP. We've grouped them into a few different categories depending on what's on your mind, from your relationships to your future goals.
Journal prompts to warm up & get started
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Self reflection
Love & relationships
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Career path
Shadow work
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Life plans & goals
FAQs:
What are journal prompts for self identity?
Journal prompts for self identity include any prompts that help you get curious, explore, and learn about yourself (i.e. What would your ideal day look like? or What are your favorite things about yourself?).
Does journaling help with self-discovery?
Yes, journaling allows you to sort through your thoughts, reflect on and learn from past experiences, and get to know yourself on a deeper level.
What are journal prompts for self acceptance?
Journal prompts for self acceptance include any prompts that help learn to accept and embrace yourself as you are (i.e. What do you appreciate about your health? or What advice would you give a friend who was facing what you're faving?).
The takeaway
Whether you've been journaling for years or you're just getting started, sometimes the right prompt is just what you need to ask yourself the important questions. With just a few minutes of journaling a day, you can continue to learn more about yourself on a deeper level.