Time and time again, journaling is mentioned as one of the best ways to reflect on yourself and improve your mental health. Journaling allows a set time to be taken out of your daily life to sit with your thoughts and process them onto the page in front of you. That idea can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just getting started with journaling. However, it doesn’t have to be groundbreaking every time you put pen to paper. We’ve set up a list of twenty journaling prompts to help get you started.
Basic Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
These first ten mental health journaling prompts are a bit more light and fluffy, but still crucial to your self-reflection. Consider these prompts as a warm-up to journaling as they will allow you to get used to putting your true thoughts and feelings on the page before diving into more complex reflections.
- How would you spend your perfect day off? What makes that perfect for you?
- Describe yourself in ten words. Why do those words come to mind?
- What makes you feel the most inspired?
- What is your favorite form of self-care? Why?
- What can you do today to take better care of yourself?
- What comes to mind first when you think of what makes you feel safe?
- What are five things about yourself you want people to know?
- What’s something that makes you feel warm inside?
- Explain what’s hardest for you in as many words as it takes.
- If you were to improve something about your life, what would that be? Why?
Next Level Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
If you’re comfortable with journaling, or just ready to dive into the deep stuff, these ten prompts will be a good fit for you.
- What’s your first coping mechanism that comes to mind? Do you think it’s helpful or harmful, and why?
- How are you helping yourself when things are hard?
- Write a letter to your younger self, talking about mental health. What would you want to tell them?
- Do you allow yourself to feel the emotions you need to feel? Why or why not?
- What do you think is holding you back?
- Write a list of 10 things you want to be able to remember during your most difficult times.
- Which of the four elements (Earth, Air, Water, Fire) do you identify with? Explain why.
- Write a love letter to yourself.
- Describe an outfit that makes you feel entirely comfortable in your skin.
- Write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has caused you pain, including yourself.
Make Journaling a Habit
Now that you have some prompts to get started, all you need is a journal, some fun writing tools, and dedicated time to reflect. For journaling to make a mindful impact on your life, it is best if you do it daily. Schedule a time to write each day for at least five minutes. While it may take a little time to get used to, you’ll soon find that it will become a positive part of your day.
Reflecting on your thoughts by journaling is a form of self-care that helps a lot of people, and can provide you the comfort of taking time for yourself in a way that feels productive. We hope these prompts help you make a difference in how you feel, and maybe even kickstart a new self-care hobby.
