40 Journaling Prompts for Beginners

Having the right set of prompts is probably the most important of all the fantastic tools accessible to bloggers who are new to journaling.

If you’ve ever journaled, you’ve likely had the experience of creating the ideal writing environment: You silence your phone, light a candle, make a cup of coffee, and listen to your favorite (non-distracting) music. Then… you’re at a loss for what to write about.

That’s where journaling prompts become insanely helpful. They’ll not only spare you from scratching your head, but they’ll also encourage and motivate you to learn about new and vital issues—especially if you’re a newbie. For beginners, here are 40 fantastic journaling prompts.

Journaling prompts for beginners

1. Write about what your perfect day would look like. What would you do? Who would you be with?
2. Name 10 things that make you happy.
3. List 5 things you’re grateful for. The more detail you go into, the better!
4. Write a letter to someone you need to forgive.
5. My favorite thing to do today is…
6. My favorite thing to do on the weekend is…
7. What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself?
8. Think of a problem you’re dealing with. If your sister, or friend, came to you with this exact problem, what would you tell them?
9. What adds the most distraction to your life?
10. What’s your favorite family tradition?
11. What does your morning look like? What would you like it to look like?
12. What would your favorite evening look like? What was your favorite evening?
13. What time would you like to go to bed and wake up every morning? How can you make this schedule happen?
14. Describe a moment in your life that is among the most important to you.
15. List your three favorite hobbies. Explain what each one brings to your life.
16. What’s your favorite holiday? Why?
17. What are your core values?
18. How would you describe yourself? List at least three qualities.
19. Name three things you love about this time of year.
20. Create a bucket list.
21. Think back to a trip you took that you really loved. Write down what you loved about it.
22. Think back to a time in your life that was very difficult. What were some silver linings that came out of it?
23. Make a list of goals, or things you want to accomplish over the course of your lifetime.
24. Write about your favorite smell
25. What’s your secret superpower?
26. What scares you?
27. What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told? How did it make you feel?
28. The most surprised I’ve ever been was…
29. List three things you’d take with you if you were stranded on a desert island
30. List your top five pet peeves.
31. What are your three favorite TV shows of all time?
32. What are your three favorite books of all time?
33. What’s your favorite item of clothing?
34. List the 10 people you love most in the world.
35. My saddest memory is…
36. Write about something you can start doing on a Sunday to make Monday feel less daunting.
37. What do you feel guilty about?
38. Name something you accomplished that felt impossible when you first set out to do it.
39. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
40. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Here’s what else you should know if you’re new to journaling

When you’re new to journaling, one of the most crucial things is to have the correct prompts. However, there are additional tools that can help you improve your experience.

• Finding the right journal. Check out your local bookstore, or browse online to find a journal design that really speaks to you. One of my personal favorites is the Silk & Sonder Journal.
• Make a journal jar. Locate or purchase a large jar, and jot down these suggestions on small pieces of paper. Put them all in the jar and take one out at a time when you want to journal.
• Find pens you love. The right set of pens can make a world of difference when it comes to your journaling experience. You can check out some of our favorite pen brands at Silk & Sonder here.

Let us know if you have any other journaling tips in the comments below!