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Best Personal Journal Prompts in 2022

Personal Journal Prompts

Keeping a personal journal is a great way to help you cope with stress, find clarity and insight, and process negative feelings. It can also be a great creative outlet if you’re someone who struggles to express yourself in other ways.

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Journaling can give you an outlet for your thoughts and feelings while also forcing you to be specific and intentional with your words. Keeping a journal can boost your self-esteem, give you new perspectives on life, and make you feel happier about who you are as a person.

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Even something as simple as keeping track of how you’re feeling on any given day can be immensely helpful when it comes to understanding yourself better and working through your issues more effectively than before. Use these personal journal prompts to get started!

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340 Personal Journal Prompts

What is one thing in day-to-day life that I have to do (but don't like to)? How can I make that experience better?
What is something nice I can do for someone I care about?
What is one of my favorite ways to spend the day?
What is one small (or big) thing I accomplished recently? How did that make me feel?
What is something I like about weekday mornings and why?
What is something I have never done, but always wanted to do?
If I could spend more time doing one activity in the new year, what would it be?
What relationships would I like to develop further over the next 6 months?
What is one of my most favorite memories?
I am most proud of…
When am I most at peace?
Who do I look up to the most? Why?
What am I taking for granted about my day to day that I can be thankful for?
What is my favorite family memory?
Write about a regret I have that I've learned from.
It's Valentine's Day. Who is someone or what is something I love?
What is one thing that came out of Covid-19 that I want to keep in my life after?
What is my ideal partnership with a spouse/partner/significant other?
What is one thing I admire about my spouse/partner/significant other?
At what age did I feel grown up?
What is one fear I'd like to conquer? What first step can I take?
What is one thing I could do to better take care of myself?
What is something I did recently that took me out of my comfort zone? What was that like?
What is one of my favourite things to do on a sunny day?
Write 20 words that I love.
What recent event do I want to remember?
What is something I'm grateful to have today that I didn't have a year ago?
What is the most important thing in my life? Why?
What is something in my life I'm very excited about right now?
What do I want to add to my life in the new year?
What was it like to buy my first home?
What is a favorite food or meal from my childhood?
What's the most outrageous thing you've ever done?
Who do I love in my life?
What do I need to leave behind from the past year?
What is my earliest memory?
What is something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail?
What relationship do I need to work on? How can I start that process?
What qualities in my parents do I dislike?
Who did I reach out to and connect with recently?
List 5 people in your life who are hard to get along with—and write down at least one quality for each that you are grateful for.
What is a decision (big or small) I made in my life that I'm really happy with?
What is a favorite dish or food that I simply cannot turn down?
How can I give back more in the new year?
What is one thing you enjoy doing in the summer?
What is something nice someone has recently done for me?
What do I consider my greatest personal success?
Are there any problems I'm trying to sort out now?
What is one way I'd like to get out of my comfort zone?
When was the last time I gave a gift to someone? What was it?
What am I grateful for this holiday season?
What elements of nature are you grateful for and why?
Is there someone who has inspired me recently? How?
What is a happy moment I remember from my childhood?
What is one favorite thing about myself?
Who do I need to set boundaries with?
What manual/physical work do I enjoy doing?
What is one way I can push myself out of my comfort zone in the new year?
What recent event has made me happy?
What would I like to spend my time doing when I retire?
What have I been thinking about the most lately?
What is something I've been putting off doing? Why?
Who were the most important people in my life in the past year?
What makes a feeling of home for me is...
Tough times have taught me that...
Is there a gift I'm looking forward to giving someone?
If I had one day left to live, what would I do on that day?
What is one thing I'm most grateful for from the past year?
What would improve my mood right now?
How does my pet make my life better (or worse)?
What is my favorite holiday tradition? What do I love about it?
Is there anyone that deserves a big "Thank you"?
The most disappointed I've ever been...
The most fun I've ever had...
Was there anything interesting that happened with my pet today?
What do I most enjoy about the holidays?
What makes a place "home" to me?
What is something that I do for someone most valuable to me?
Who do I spend the most time with? What do we do together?
How do I spend time with the person I'm closest to?
When do I remember feeling appreciated?
Name one person that helped me in the past. What did they do?
What is one thing I could start doing today to improve the quality of my life?
What is something I've done recently that I'm proud of?
What is one my favorite parts of being a parent?
What's your secret desire?
What qualities in my parents do I admire?
What do success mean to me?
What is an activity that I can get lost in? What does it feel like when I'm "in the zone"?
What is one favorite thing about my current life?
What does it mean to have a fresh start?
What do I need to forgive myself for? How can I start that process?
What is something that helps keep me healthy?
What is one thing I'd like to say 'yes' to?
What is one of my favorite hobbies and why?
Remember a time when I was happy and write about it.
What is one of my favorite holidays and why?
What is one character trait that I like about myself?
What am I most excited about in the upcoming year?
In what ways can I be healthier in the new year?
What is one of the best compliments I've received? How did that make me feel?
When was the last time I laughed uncontrollably?
Who do I need to forgive in my life? What feelings from the past am I holding onto?
What I value most about my life right now is...
What gifts am I excited to give this holiday season?
Write about a person in your life that you’re especially grateful for and why.
If I had to choose a single word, or theme, to describe the new year, what would it be?
If I could go back and change one decision, what would that be?
What do I find the most challenging about being a parent?
What is something I think is actually "the best thing since sliced bread"?
How is where you are in life today different than a year ago–and what positive changes are you thankful for?
What are deal breakers for me in a relationship?
What does Christmas mean to me?
Who did I last visit? How did that go?
When do my spouse/partner/significant other and I have the most fun?
What is something I love to do on cold winter nights?
What is one way I'd like to improve my physical health?
How do I usually start my day? Is there anything I want to change about it?
Was there anything in my day that made me happy?
What challenge did I face today as a parent? How did I deal with it?
What is something I can do for myself today?
What is one thing I'm grateful for today?
What is something that cheers me up on a rough day?
If I had one more day off every month, what would I do?
What is one way I can improve my physical health?
Who did I feel close to today, even for only a moment?
Do I play in my daily life? What says "playtime" to me?
What is something that I love doing? Do I do it enough?
What is the best thing that happened today?
What am I grateful for today?
What am I most grateful for?
What made today a good day?
What is something I enjoy doing in the neighborhood that I live in now?
What made me smile today?
What is one good thing that happened to me today?
What is one thing that my child did today that I want to remember?
What was a highlight from this past month?
What is something I loved to do as a child?
What are 3 things you’re grateful for that are around you right now?
What piece of furniture in my home am I grateful to have?
What is one of my favorite things about nature?
What is one app on my phone that adds a lot of value to my life?
What is one of my key learnings from the past year?
Are there any problems at work I'm trying to sort out now?
Who did I last borrow something from? What was it?
What is one new thing I can try in the new year?
What distractions wasted my time?
What is something I can remove from my life to make more time for more of the things I want to do?
Do I hate anyone? If so, why? Could I let that hate go?
What kind of religious or spiritual environment was I raised in? Have I changed my mind in any way?
Am I comfortable with my current work/life balance? If not, what can I do to improve it?
What is one way that I have fun in my life?
Did I recently have an interesting conversation? What was it about?
What is a memory that stands out from this past month?
What is one of my favorite things about the holidays?
What is one habit that I'd like to build in the new year?
What is one thing would I miss about my current location if I lived abroad?
What future event am I excited about?
What is something that is limiting me from accomplishing what I want to accomplish?
What is one of my least favorite chores? Reframe my thoughts in a way that makes me feel grateful for it.
If I had to define myself in terms of principles, what would they be?
What is something I'm grateful for that helps me travel?
What was my favorite subject in school? Am I still interested in it?
The food I'm most excited to try on my next trip is...
What is there about a challenge you’re experiencing right now that you can be thankful for?
The biggest lie I've ever told is...
How can I throw money at this problem? How can I "waste" money to improve the quality of my life?
What am I planning on doing or have done on the first day of the year?
Who has done something this week to help you or make your life easier and how can you thank them?
Do I feel burnt out by work? Why or why not?
Do I want to be remembered? If so, what for?
Am I dwelling on anything right now?
What activity, task, or game brings out my competitiveness?
What is something I bought recently that really excited me but now I take it for granted? Can I find that excitement again?
What is one of my favorite things to do at home?
What do I wish I was more passionate about?
What should I explore next in my home town?
Is there a place in the world I never want to visit? Where, and why not?
What is one habit I'd like to build and why?
What is a favorite piece of clothing of mine? Why?
What do I think it would be like to work for me?
What would I do if I won a 20 million lottery?
The skill I would develop if I had the chance is…
The most surprised I've ever been...
What is a problem you've noticed at work recently? What could you do to solve it?
Do I think that I'm in the role or on the career path that is best for me?
What is one way I can treat myself without spending money?
What is something I can automate in my life?
What's the worst thing you've ever done?
What is my favorite movie and why?
What is the first trip or vacation I remember taking?
In what area of my life do I wish I had more autonomy?
Do I often fall behind on sleep, free time, or commitments in my personal life due to work?
What is one thing that I desire for my career?
What is something I've changed my mind on recently?
What is my favorite food to eat during the holidays?
Is there anything you feel guilty about?
Do I prefer to cook or eat out? Why?
Write about the music you’re thankful to be able to listen to and why.
How would I spend my time if money didn't matter?
What do I like about travelling by plane?
What am I most looking forward to working on next week?
What do I consider my greatest professional success?
What are my 3 biggest distractions right now and how can I reduce them?
What I appreciate most about my body is…
Am I doing what I studied in college?
What do I least enjoy about the holidays?
What is the best professional compliment I received?
What would I like to learn more about and why?
What feelings does spring evoke?
What do I wish I knew more about?
What is one way that technology enhances my productivity?
What tradition in my life am I grateful to have?
Do I know why my name was chosen? Do I think it suits me? If I had the choice, would I rename myself?
What's my favorite holiday movie and why?
What would I do tomorrow if I had a free day? Describe the day.
What is one of my favorite vacations or trips?
How can I make my manager's job easier?
How does my car make my life better?
What does adventure mean to me?
What is something that bores me?
What scent do I enjoy? Why?
When was the last time I tried something totally new?
What causes me stress or anxiety during the holidays? What could I do to make it better?
What is one thing I own but never use? How do I feel about that?
What could I do to improve my work from home environment to be more efficient and comfortable in the space?
Who do I know that I consider to be free? What does freedom mean to me?
What reasons cause me to eat besides hunger?
Did I achieve the career goals I set out for myself this past year?
Do I wish I had gotten different training in college?
What does the new year mean to me?
The most terrifying moment of my life was...
What about the city you live in are you grateful for?
What are you looking forward to the most?
What would I like to subtract from my life in the new year?
How many hours would I work a day if I owned my schedule?
What foods would you like to make?
What is something I don't like about my living environment? How could I change it?
Did I have any big realizations about work recently?
What is one book that has influenced me significantly?
Who was my favorite teacher?
What is my opinion on work-life balance? What does that look like to me?
Was there anything in my day that made me excited?
Am I happy with my work from home environment? Why or why not?
What makes it easy for me to be myself with others?
Nobody knows that I...
What is one of the best pieces of advice that I heard? Who said it?
What is one of my favorite things about visiting a new place?
When was the last time I read a book related to my career? Am I applying any of the learnings?
If I could celebrate New Year's from anywhere, where would it be?
What is one way I have changed since last year?
What is something I like to do when I'm sick?
What small (or big) win in my work can I celebrate today?
What is one thing that I accomplished today?
What advice would I give myself for tomorrow?
What is one bad thing that happened to me today?
What part of your morning routine are you most thankful for?
How was my morning today?
If I could change one thing about yesterday, what would it be?
What is my ideal way of spending a rainy afternoon?
What's the first thought that came into my mind this morning?
What could I have done to be more productive today?
How do I usually start my day? Do I want to change anything about it?
What thoughts did I have today that I wish I didn't have?
Did anyone compliment me on my work today? What did they say?
What do I like to have for breakfast?
Did I do anything above and beyond my job description today?
What is one recurring problem in my life I can eliminate today?
Did I learn something new today?
If I could do anything tomorrow, what would it be?
Was there anything in my day that made me angry?
What is one way I can go above and beyond tomorrow?
What is something I'm looking forward to this month?
What is one thing I'd like to do in my city/town that I've never done before?
If I were my manager, would I be happy with my performance at work this past year?
What is something I enjoy doing in nature?
How do I deal with feeling unmotivated?
Do you have any hobbies that are relevant to your career? What are they?
How will journal writing increase my sense of inner freedom and choice?
What is one lesson I learned from the last book I read?
How would I build a perfect sandwich? What's on it, what does it look like, where are you when you're eating it?
What is one aspect of my work that I really enjoy doing and why?
What would I do in my professional life if I knew that I could not fail?
What have I discovered in my city/town in the past year?
Is the life that I am living the life I want?
What materialistic items are you most grateful for?
What is a taste, smell, a piece of music, or something else that transports me back to childhood?
If you had complete financial security and didn't have to work, what would you do?
I have learned to live without…
List five body parts that you’re grateful for and why.
Where have I been that feels like a home away from home?
If I could sum up the past year with a song, what would it be?
What training and development do I need in my work life?
What is one bad spending habit I can try to eliminate?
What is one thing I'd like to accomplish next month?
What foods or meals are you most thankful for?
What activities and hobbies would you miss if you were unable to do them?
What countries do you want to visit?
How would I like my financial life to look like in 5 years?
How did I end up on the professional path that I am on now?
What skills or abilities are you thankful to have?
What is something I'm good at? What makes me good at it?
What am I grateful for at work?
What is one actionable thing I can do to control my debt?
What can I do to be in a better financial position by the end of the new year?
What is one thing I'm grateful for in my business?
What do I display on the walls of my home — photos, posters, artwork, nothing? How do I choose what to display and why?
What is the last place I traveled to by airplane?
How many months of savings would make me feel comfortable in my financial life?
What is one habit I currently have that I'd like to get rid of in the new year?
What is a possession you own that makes your life easier?
What do you like most about the current season?
What is something that I like about my current age?
What is one of my favorite comfort foods?
What is one thing I like about autumn?
What is a gift I'd like to give someone and why?
What is one privilege you have that you often take for granted?
What advice would I give myself from 1 year ago?
What is one thing I do differently from other people I know?
If you had to live in a different city (and could live anywhere), where would you choose? Why?
What was the most recent book I read? What did I think of it?
What is a movie I watched recently that I learned something from? What did I learn?
What is something I don't understand and would like to learn more about someday?
What is one thing you enjoy doing in the winter?
What is one of your favorite meals?
What is one physical activity that you enjoy doing? Why?
What are 3 things you’re looking forward to this year?
What is something you’re looking forward to this month?
What are you looking forward to today?
What are 3 things you love about your home?
What gift did you enjoy receiving in the past year?
What is something you would love to learn how to do?
What is something you really like about yourself?
What is one thing in your home that you are grateful for and why?
What is one habit you have that you’re proud of?
Who is one person you’re grateful to have in your life?
What is something you’re glad you stopped doing?
Who is a challenging person in your life (e.g., someone you frequently disagree with) and what are some qualities you like about this person?
What is one small lesson that I learned today?
What was something you did for the first time recently? What was that like?

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