365 Journal Writing Ideas

I started journaling when I read about the benefits of journaling in the various self-help books by Robin Sharma. I noticed that almost all the successful bloggers write about their journaling practice and how journaling has helped them get better in writing and coming across new ideas. Then I read the books by Rhonda Byrne. She again has emphasized on the practice of journaling and writing your daily gratitude in your journal. It was then I started journaling. It has been 5-6 years and I have been writing in a journal on a daily basis.

Scientific studies have also proved that writing in a journal is an effective stress buster and alleviates joy and happiness. Penning your thoughts and feelings in a journal helps you in getting rid of negative thoughts and eliminates stress. Your journal can be your best friend with whom you can share everything. Some people use moleskin notebooks or various other beautiful journals available in the market while some prefer online journals. Now you even have mobile apps to pen down your thoughts and so you can journal on the go.

I write every morning in my journal. I write my affirmations, my gratitude and my daily reflections. Sometimes I journal online too. I write online posts here many times about my daily gratitude. Journaling about my daily gratitude has helped me in becoming more thankful about the little blessings that come my way every day. It has helped me in becoming more grateful towards my life, my family and friends and towards God. Sometimes I write about the things I care about imagining that I’m writing for an audience. And sometimes, I don’t even care. I just go with the flow. Sometimes I also write down ideas for blog posts in my journal and sometimes my daily reflections or random thoughts which I develop into blog posts later.

My journal has served as a stress buster during the periods of enormous stress. It has helped in coping with grief and sorrows. It has encouraged me to explore my strengths & weaknesses and thus helped me in improving myself. Journaling is a habit that i recommend to everyone. Here are 365 journaling prompts that should help you in getting started. So stop making excuses, just pick up the pen & diary and get started to an awesome journey of self-discovery!

  1. Something seemingly out of reach.
  2. A perfect day.
  3. What happiness means to me?
  4. Things I need to let go.
  5. The things one does for fun can pay the bills if one does them right.
  6. Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all.
  7. My favorite childhood memory.
  8. Today I’m grateful for…
  9. Embrace change.
  10. My bucket list.
  11. Gift a smile.
  12. What do you believe is your life purpose?
  13. The things I love about myself.
  14. My biggest regret in life.
  15. Life isn’t perfect but it’s pretty good.
  16. You are amazing just the way you are.
  17. Stop complaining, start living.
  18. What is the most important virtue for you and why?
  19. A truly magical moment in my life.
  20. What excuses am I making in life?
  21. An advice I would like to give myself.
  22. Savour life’s simple pleasures.
  23. Ten habits I must quit to be happy.
  24. How do I want to be remembered when I am gone?
  25. My favorite quote and why?
  26. What would make you proud of yourself?
  27. How can I make a positive difference to those around me?
  28. What are the roadblocks standing in my way to success?
  29. Things I love about my life.
  30. Flow with life’s little surprises.
  31. My most prized possessions.
  32. Life is what you make it.
  33. Five things to start doing for myself.
  34. The people in my life who lift me higher.
  35. Ten things to start doing now to be happy.
  36. Things I’d like to change at my workplace.
  37. Reasons I’m stuck where I’m.
  38. Describe the person whose reflection you see in the mirror.
  39. Five gifts I can give myself for free.
  40. What makes you miserable?
  41. What do you appreciate about your life?
  42. Where do I see myself in ten years from now?
  43. One thing I can do for the world today.
  44. Twenty ways to simplify your life.
  45. Someone I need to forgive for my own recovery.
  46. A promise I must make to myself.
  47. Ten things nobody can steal from me.
  48. Describe an incident when you made someone’s day.
  49. Am I wasting away my life?
  50. Things I wish I knew ten years ago.
  51. My ideal morning routine.
  52. Things better left in my past.
  53. The most crazy thing I ever did.
  54. What does love mean to you?
  55. Ways to recharge your motivation.
  56. What is standing between you and what you want?
  57. List ten ways to improve yourself.
  58. Five things you need to give up to be successful.
  59. What do you do to nurture your happiness?
  60. What’s been on your mind most lately?
  61. In order of importance how would you rank: happiness, money, love, fame, health?
  62. What word best describes you?
  63. What do you want to be known for?
  64. In one year from now, how do you think your life will be different?
  65. Top three qualities I look for in a friend.
  66. Something I have always wanted as a kid.
  67. Something I would hate to go without on a holiday.
  68. The memory from the past year that makes me smile the most.
  69. If not now, then when?
  70. Things in your life you’re truly proud of.
  71. Something you want to remember forever.
  72. What is the one thing right now, you are totally unsure of?
  73. Something you said you’d never do but have since done.
  74. A relationship that didn’t last forever but was worth your while.
  75. What questions do you often ask yourself?
  76. Something that used to scare you but no longer does.
  77. Something you wish you could do one more time.
  78. Life is a roller coaster ride.
  79. Things that make me lose track of time.
  80. The best decision I ever made.
  81. The worst decision I ever made.
  82. The most defining moment in my life.
  83. Something you wish exists in your life.
  84. Describe the ones you know you can count on.
  85. What are the things that make you smile?
  86. The best compliment you ever received.
  87. Where do you look for inspiration/
  88. What is more important: to love or to be loved?
  89. Your favourite place and why?
  90. Your definition of beauty.
  91. Describe your childhood.
  92. Something you wish you had learned in life.
  93. How do you combat stress?
  94. Describe your future in three words.
  95. The one thing that is unique about you.
  96. Someone you would never mess with.
  97. It feels good to think about…
  98. One piece of advice you will give to your best friend.
  99. If you could describe your life using one colour, what it would be and why?
  100. Who would you love to hear from right now?
  101. Something that you are proud of learning and why?
  102. Something that gives you strength and hope.
  103. What’s the most important thing in a relationship?
  104. The downside of having too much money.
  105. Something you always have trouble with.
  106. The things that quickly irritate you.
  107. Something you feel is missing in your life.
  108. The achievement you are most proud of.
  109. Three things you want in a relationship.
  110. Five favourite book characters and why/
  111. The biggest mistake I did this week.
  112. A letter to someone you need to forgive.
  113. Sum up the year so far in three words.
  114. One possibility that makes you nervous.
  115. Something exciting in your life right now.
  116. The best thing about my day today.
  117. The one person you will never forget.
  118. Something you always take for granted.
  119. Who would you like to be stuck with an elevator?
  120. Something that would make your life easier.
  121. What makes you feel loved?
  122. A mistake you won’t make again.
  123. Two things you need to do everyday for peace of mind.
  124. The quote that influenced you the most.
  125. Something from the past that still makes you smile.
  126. The best thing I can offer to a friend.
  127. One thing I do to feel beautiful from inside.
  128. Describe a moment when you give in to your fears.
  129. A bad habit that makes you miserable.
  130. The possibilities that most interest you right now.
  131. What have you let go of recently?
  132. Something that deserves your attention.
  133. Your learning from your favourite t.v. show.
  134. Ten things nobody knows about you.
  135. Things I try to avoid on a daily basis.
  136. One thing I hope to change in my life.
  137. Describe your favorite line out of a song.
  138. One wish I hope comes true.
  139. A place I want to visit before dying.
  140. Happiest memory of your school days.
  141. Few words of wisdom I live by.
  142. Something you need to say to yourself more often.
  143. Something you must give to move forward.
  144. Something that gives me goosebumps.
  145. What would you change about the society if you could?
  146. My favorite summertime memory.
  147. What do you desire more than money?
  148. Something that you tell yourself everyday.
  149. A belief that holds you back.
  150. A quote worth reviewing everyday.
  151. The worst pain you have ever overcome.
  152. Describe the kind of people that deplete you.
  153. Something that makes you instantly feel better.
  154. Your secret desire which you’d better keep a secret.
  155. A moment which took you by surprise.
  156. Your first stage performance.
  157. What success means to you?
  158. What do you desire more than money?
  159. A belief that holds you back.
  160. Something you look forward to everyday.
  161. One timeless lesson I have learnt from your father.
  162. Write about your favourite emotion.
  163. Something that can calm you down in an instant when you’re angry.
  164. The worst pain I’ve ever overcome.
  165. Right now, at this moment, whom do you miss the most?
  166. Something I must give up to be successful.
  167. Something that keeps you awake at night.
  168. The biggest mistake made in history.
  169. The one trait that makes you who you are.
  170. Biggest enemy of happiness.
  171. One simple rule that makes relationships work.
  172. Every child deserves…
  173. Something everyone should experience at least once.
  174. One skill you need to succeed.
  175. Most significant change you have experienced in last three years.
  176. Something small that has made big difference in your life.
  177. A recent source of happiness in my life.
  178. A song that contains a lesson I live by.
  179. One piece of business I regret leaving unfinished.
  180. One thing you would like to change about yourself.
  181. Write a short speech to the entire world.
  182. Your biggest concern at the moment.
  183. Life is wasted without…
  184. In what way are you a survivor?
  185. I am lost without…
  186. One small miracle that has occurred in your life.
  187. There’s no excuse for…
  188. One simple rule you live by.
  189. One simple way to make life uncomplicated.
  190. A priceless lesson you learned from a mistake.
  191. Something everyone should start doing for others.
  192. I have a weakness for…
  193. A memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.
  194. What makes friendship last a lifetime?
  195. Describe your relationship with your mother.
  196. If you could relive the past year, what would you do different?
  197. A common cause of unhappiness.
  198. Life is too short to tolerate…
  199. Describe your ideal life.
  200. There is no substitute for…
  201. Someone who is hard to forget and why?
  202. The distractions in my life.
  203. What are you looking for in your life right now?
  204. The most unique thing I own.
  205. Describe a moment when you were totally mesmerized by nature.
  206. What’s keeping you from going farther?
  207. Bigger is not better.
  208. You can make a difference.
  209. Ten ways friends improve our life.
  210. If you could do today over, would you change anything?
  211. Fate or free will?
  212. An experience that changed me for the better.
  213. When it might hurt their feelings, how do you feel about telling your friends the truth?
  214. Which quality best describes your life–exciting, organised, dull–and why?
  215. What is something that really bugs you?
  216. Why fear of discomfort might be ruining your life?
  217. The futility of comparing yourself to others.
  218. Why you should write daily?
  219. Happiness is uncovering what you already have.
  220. Why I don’t eat healthier?
  221. The habits that crush us.
  222. The four things I wish I could say no to.
  223. What would you do if you only had a short time to live?
  224. How to combat boredom?
  225. Lie is not perfect.
  226. Don’t forget the past. Learn from it.
  227. Live in the present moment.
  228. Don’t chase happiness. Recognize it.
  229. The only thing we need is a little more gratitude.
  230. You have the power to change someone’s life.
  231. A book I love.
  232. Something you feel strongly about.
  233. Your zodiac and if you think it fits your personality.
  234. Thirty interesting facts about myself.
  235. Top ten things I appreciate in my life.
  236. Describe the worst day you ever had.
  237. Write about the different ways you show your love to your family.
  238. Explain what you like best about yourself and why.
  239. Think of a number that has special meaning for you. Write why it is important you.
  240. Describe something you are excited about this coming summer.
  241. Think about the last time you got angry. Write how you reacted and what made you feel better.
  242. Write about the best thing that happened to you this month.
  243. Live in the moment. Journal about whatever is on your mind.
  244. Think about someone who inspires you. What characteristics of that person make him so inspirational?
  245. Write down your favourite life mantra and why its holds a special place in your life.
  246. If you had only one more day to live, what would you do?
  247. Journal about your unhealthy habits.
  248. Write about something in your daily life that you take for granted.
  249. Journal about heartbreak.
  250. Journal about things that make you laugh out loud.
  251. If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be? Journal about that person.
  252. If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? Journal about it.
  253. Make a list of people who love you and give at least one reason why you know they love you.
  254. Describe a time when you felt especially loved.
  255. Journal a line from your favourite song and elaborate it.
  256. Pet peeve. What is it and why does it peeve you so much?
  257. What do you do when you’re procrastinating? Journal about that.
  258. Journal your last text message. Who sent it? Write about them.
  259. When you are really happy, how do you express it?
  260. Write about your favourite fairy tale. Whyit fascinates you?
  261. Write about the things a true friend would never do to you.
  262. Write about your life goals.
  263. Write about an experience when you did something for someone without expecting anything in return.
  264. Journal about the ways you distress yourself.
  265. Write ten small changes you can make to simplify your life.
  266. Why you love being a parent?
  267. Would you rather be right or happy?
  268. Write about three simple changes you can make to become fit.
  269. Why you should read daily?
  270. Do you find it hard to say no? Why saying no is important at times?
  271. Plan your perfect day.
  272. Is there a book that has changed your life? Journal about it.
  273. What’s your favorite holiday memory?
  274. If you won an all-expenses paid vacation to any country in the world, where would you go?
  275. Is there anyone you need to ask for forgiveness? Write a letter to them.
  276. Write about the sky at night and what you see there.
  277. Am I happy where I am today?
  278. How can you bring happiness to others?
  279. What are the tasks or series of actions that will lead you to your dream job ?
  280. When you were ten years old, what did you dream of doing?
  281. Ten things you hold most dear.
  282. Describe LOVE using all five senses.
  283. How do you feel you are perceived by others?
  284. Describe what feeling safe means to you.
  285. What lessons did you take from your regrets?
  286. Describe your dream home.
  287. Describe a failure that turned out to be a blessing.
  288. Your interpretation of a recent dream.
  289. How would your life be different if you felt comfortable being yourself at all times?
  290. Something you did to someone that you have trouble forgiving yourself for.
  291. What room in your home best reflects who you are and why?
  292. List five non-materialistic things you would like to have right now.
  293. What era do you feel you would have most comfortably belonged living in?
  294. Write a letter to God.
  295. What positive, life-affirming aspects do you carry with you every day?
  296. A time you acted without thinking and it’s impact on you and others.
  297. Some things you do daily that you don’t enjoy and why? Can they be re-evaluated, delegated or eliminated?
  298. How do you feel about commitment in general?
  299. Take a crack at writing a poem!
  300. Write about your first love.
  301. How has journaling improved your life?
  302. What advice would you give yourself to set your dreams in motion?
  303. Write 15 things you would never trade for money.
  304. Write about ten ways pets improve our lives.
  305. If you would make a change in this world, what would it be and why?
  306. Write about your favourite hobby and what positive effect it has on your life?
  307. Write about a miracle in your life.
  308. Do you believe in God? Write about an instance where your faith in God sailed you through.
  309. Which historical figure inspires you the most and why?
  310. Look out of your window and journal about what you see.
  311. Describe how you can create more time in your day.
  312. Describe your most important relationship.
  313. If you could go back and mend a broken relationship, what would you do differently this time?
  314. Who was the most significant influence in your life during your growing up years?
  315. Write about your favorite movie and what you love about it.
  316. Write about someone you had a crush on and what was it that attracted you in the first place?
  317. Describe the first time you attended a funeral and how death impacted you?
  318. How did you cope with the loss of a loved one?
  319. Write about your guilty pleasure.
  320. How you can embody abundance regardless of what you have?
  321. Write about 5 simple habits which have make a huge difference in your life.
  322. When you don’t get what you want, something better may be coming.
  323. What do you really want and need?
  324. Write about the blessings in disguise in your life.
  325. Do you have faith in humanity?
  326. How do you react when others push your buttons?
  327. What expectations are you fighting with- yours or someone else’s?
  328. What have you learnt from a difficult situation you have been in lately?
  329. Write about a time when you had to be brave, what did you do, how did it feel?
  330. Write about a time when you worked really hard to get something.
  331. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
  332. Has a friend ever betrayed you? How did it make you feel? What do you think your friend should have done differently.
  333. When was a time you felt you were treated unfairly? How did it make you feel?
  334. Write about a time when you cheered someone up. What did you do, how did if make you feel, how did it make that person feel?
  335. When was the last time you were afraid. What scared you, how did you react.
  336. What do you think risk taking is? Have you ever took a risk?
  337. Write about your best friend. Who are they, how long have you known them, why are they your best friend?
  338. Write about a time when you had a strong opinion about something? Why did you feel so strongly about it?
  339. If you had to give away $1,000 what would you do with it, who would you give it to?
  340. Have you ever volunteered for a cause? Write about the experience.
  341. Beach or mountains? Why?
  342. A letter to your boss describing his leadership style.
  343. The best is yet to come.
  344. Describe a memorable day at work.
  345. Can colleagues be friends? Do you think professional rivalry comes in the way
  346. The craziest thing you have ever done.
  347. Have you ever said a lie which you regret till date? How did it affect others?
  348. Have you helped someone anonymously? Describe the experience.
  349. Write about 5 books which have influenced you deeply.
  350. Are you afraid of the dark?
  351. Describe your idea of a perfect date.
  352. Do you crave secretly for someone’s attention? Why and what you do to draw his attention?
  353. Does true love exist or does it happen only in the movies?
  354. Look around yourself and write about one thing that inspires you at the moment.
  355. Write about the things you can learn from a child.
  356. Make a list of 12 things you want to do in the next 12 months.
  357. If you could take only 5 things on a deserted island, what would they be and why?
  358. Who will cry when you die?
  359. What according to you is the difference between ego and self-respect?
  360. Responsibility is taken, not given. Do you agree?
  361. Describe the ingredients of a meaningful life.
  362. What traits attract you to a person?
  363. Your fondest memory involving your pet or any animal.
  364. These are a few of my favourite things…
  365. Gratitude is the best attitude.

©2018 Shaloo Walia All rights reserved

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14 comments

  1. We all have stories to tell from our past and hopes and dreams for our futures. Your list is wonderful for journaling and for people to start talking to one another about what really matters to them. These topics are great conversation starters that will help us get to know one another better and help us to see our common humanity. Thank you.

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