First of all, I want to start by wishing everyone a very happy New Year in advance! We are on vacation (in California, wait for my next travel post!) and I have scheduled this post to go live on one of the last days of the year. As 2021 comes to an end, there are lots of things to reflect on and be thankful. It is a perfect time to look back and feel accomplished for all what you may have achieved as well as look forward to new goals and dreams. Holidays can also be a stressful time for many. Traveling, hosting family members and friends, and gifting others can take a toll on many. Although it is a joyful time of the year, stress and fatigue can creep in for a few. In today’s post I write about simple journaling prompts to help reduce your stress and end your year in a state of gratitude. Read on my journal prompts for reflection.
Self care is an important part of everyone’s life. You can not give out of a empty bucket. You can not take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself first. You can not be happy if you are not able to pause and enjoy life. Journaling is a great way to live in the present and be thankful for each and every day. To be truthful, journaling became part of our life last year in 2020 just when COVID had started its impact in March. All schools started closing and things started to become gloomy and scary. We are a family of four and that’s when I introduced journaling as a everyday part of our lives to my teens. Although we are still in this journey of trying to jot down our thoughts, mostly gratitude, on a regular basis I find journaling a great way to de-stress, reflect and develop an attitude of gratitude.
There are many forms of journaling. There is no right or wrong way. You can write a paragraph, a page, a story or just a reflective sentence at the end of the day, beginning of the day or any time in between. We have personally used GLAD (a sentence about what you are grateful for, something you have learned today, something you have accomplished today and delight of the day) and 3 things we are grateful for, nightly. Today’s post is about reflection in the form of journaling. Read on my 50 journal prompts that you can start using today and then with practice I hope you continue journaling as part of your daily routine.
Journal Prompts for Reflection
Self reflection is very powerful. Writing or sharing your thoughts with someone can give us clarity, understanding and purpose. Most of the time we are so busy in our daily routine that we seldom take the time to pause and think about things including our feelings and stress. As 2021 comes to a close, introspection and learning from past experiences or mistakes are vital. Reflection not only grows us but may also help us understand and give answers to our questions that we may be looking for outside. Mindfulness as well as meditation are great ways to pause, live in the present and be aware of things around us. Making a habit to continuously grow ourselves through reflection and self awareness can be very helpful. Journaling is a great self care routine to have. Journaling can help put our thoughts into words, reflect on where we are and where we are going, and is great tool to come back to after weeks or months (or years).
50 journal prompts for self reflection
Below are 50 journal prompts to end this year and start a New Year with self reflection:
- Reflect back on your (small) accomplishments and jot 3-5 things you have accomplished this year.
2. What has been your most beautiful memory this year and why?
3. How has this year impacted you in a positive way?
4. Think of 5 things you are thankful for today.
5. If you can say a prayer for someone, who would that be and what would it be?
6. Which 3 things makes you happy every single day and why?
7. If you would chose a vacation, what would you and why?
8. What is your favorite part about planning a vacation and why?
9. What are 3 habits of yours that have always been helpful to you, and why?
10. Describe an act of kindness you have witnessed recently.
11. List 3 things you are grateful for this year.
12. Which family member inspired you the most this year, and why?
13. Describe something new or interesting you did this past year.
14. Think of something fun or interesting you want to do next year, and why?
15. If you could have 2 wishes fulfilled before 2021 ends, what would they be and why?
16. Which family member/neighbor has reached out to you recently, and what have you done to help?
17. Think of 1-2 ways you have helped someone this month/year.
18. What is your favorite self care activity and why?
19. List your 5 favorite self care activities and describe why.
20. If you can make a small difference today, what would it be and why you chose that?
21. What are 5 ways you de-stress?
22. When was the last time you laughed? Explain the situation:)
23. Thinking back to your childhood, which is your favorite memory?
23. When did you last meet up with a childhood friend? How and where?
24. What are some ways you think you are helpful and kind to others?
25. When was the last time you complimented someone?
25. When was the last time you got a compliment?
25. What is your most favorite compliment ever received?
26. Which career would you feel most happy and fulfilled in?
27. Which person do you look up to and why?
28. Describe a time you have faced adversity and came out successful.
29. Describe a time you made the best out of a worst situation.
30. How would you describe your best friend/partner/children using 5 adjectives.
31. List your 5 strengths.
32. Name 2 things you need to work on this new year.
33. Do you have New Year Goals/Resolutions? Describe any 3.
34. List your #1 SMART goal for next year.
35. List 5 adjectives to describe yourself.
36. Describe 5 habits you want to cultivate.
37. What is something new you have learned recently? Explain the experience.
38. What are 3 things you are great at?
39. How do you help others?
40. Describe a recent experience that has made your smile or self-reflect.
41. What are some self-affirmations you practice and love?
42. What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the holiday season, and why?
44. What is your favorite act of kindness and why?
45. List 5 ways you try to be kind, compassionate and helpful.
45. Describe 3 activities that boost you when you are feeling low.
46. 3-2-1: List your 3 strengths, 2 things you are working on and 1 habit you want to give up.
46. What is your favorite holiday tradition and why?
47. What is your favorite food and why?
48. Share a favorite memory from a family get together recently.
49. What is your definition of happiness and how do you achieve the state of happiness?
50. If you had all the money and time in the world, what is the first thing you would like to do and why?
Summary
In today’s post I wrote 50 journaling prompts to start your day or end your day right. Any type of reflection or self aware activity can do wonders for our physical and mental health, and journaling is just one of the ways to reflect on our day or thought process and being mindful. As you end this year and enter the New Year, I wish your life is filled with peace, gratitude and love!
Dear readers, we would love to hear from you. Is journaling part of your daily routine? What are some of your self-reflection prompts? Do share your ideas and experiences. Please comment below or send an email to nishtha@dawnandhope.com.
27 replies on “50 Journal prompts for self-reflection”
I’m always looking for journaling prompts. These are all amazing.
Thank you Danielle!
love all the prompts… 3-2-1 sounds interesting and i think i will pick a few and try to reflect on them
Thank you Vidya! 3-2-1 is an educational strategy and I used it for gratitude/ journal prompts:)
I was looking for some new journal prompts. I love to journal, but sometimes I need a little inspiration so thank you.
You are very welcome, and yes we all need motivation and inspiration!
Great post Nishta. I found the reflection tips really incredibly useful. I’ll definitely try some, for example the one with who you helped. Sometimes we really need to stop and make order in our life so that we can appreciate ourselves more. It’s also a good strategy for becoming a better human being. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
Thank you Sonia. I agree reflection and pausing in our busy life are very important to truly enjoy and live in the moment!
I started journaling whilst in the hospital after my accident and it turned into blogging later on;) We do gratitude every evening with my hubby thinking at least of one thing we’re grateful for that day and one thing we would want to pray for. Gratitude is so important for me as it’s really helping me during my recovery. Thanks for sharing some great journal prompts, they are great inspiration. Best wishes for a New Year!
Thank you so much for sharing! Happy New Year to you too and wishing you the very best
Love this so much!
Oh this is a great help, since I have just started journaling, these prompts will keep me going. Thanks for sharing.
I love journaling so much because it gives me a relaxing feeling. It helps me cleanse my mind and concentrate on my feelings. Thank you for sharing these journaling prompts. Happy New Year!
All these prompts are really good! I’m gonna pick up some from your list for sure! Keep up and Happy New Year!
A very useful list. Most people are only thinking of a small portion of these topics and they could greatly improve someone’s perspective.
I wish I was better at regularly journaling I think it is a very cathartic way to work through daily thoughts.
It can be tough to figure out what to write. I think these are great writing prompts.
These are great … What a great way to start the New Year with some self-reflection.
Great journal prompts! It does help that we have guides to make us start write our thoughts. Great read!
Indeed, every day is a new beginning and yes, we can’t give out what we don’t have. Reflecting on various issues is one of my favorite things to do. It helps me become better and opens my eyes to better ways of handling situations. Nice prompts you’ve listed here.
I am just loving this as self reflection is so important for us to grow and learn from past mistakes. There is no better time to c=focus on this than with the New Year as we can set goals and make changes for the better.
Great list! Sometimes it’s hard to come up with what to write about. Pinned & scheduled on FB.
Great content! Keep up the good work!
Self-reflection is a great exercise, and a crucial one too. It helps to journal about it too.
Very helpful article.
[…] Introspection is very powerful. We need to take out time regularly in our busy schedule to reflect and communicate with self. Activities like meditation, mindfulness and journaling are just few of the ways to learn to love yourself by paying attention to your thoughts and state of mind. You may read this recent post about 50 self care journal prompts. […]
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