Ten Bulls journal prompts to get in the flow of writing and focus on the positive things in life.
Journaling is a great way to unwind and manage stress. It focusses and quiets the mind, while offering a healthy outlet for thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Studies have shown that keeping a journal may help ease feelings of stress and anxiety, while promoting optimism, joy and gratitude, as well as mental health.
A journal is one of the best ways to get to know you, making it easier to understand what’s happening inside and work through complicated and distressing thoughts that you may find difficult to share with others.
Do you want to start a journal? But you’re not sure where to begin? Pick your favourite journal prompts from the list below and enjoy the clarity, creativity and peace that flows.
How to use journal prompts
Many people find it difficult to start journaling. They haven’t done it before, or haven’t done it for a while and get stuck whenever they try.
Journal prompts help you to overcome writer’s block and open up the creative center of your brain. They give you a clear starting point, by posing a question or establishing a theme, and trigger the flow of thoughts, feelings and emotions.
You can use journal prompts to:
- Focus your mind and make writing easier
- Overcome resistance and procrastination
- Organise chaotic and conflicting thoughts
- Make journaling a habit
Journal prompts can be used for gratitude, creativity, positive thinking, love and kindness, and working through complex personal and relationship issues. They help filter out the noise and focus your mind on a particular area that you would like to spend time on.
Similar to guided meditation, journal prompts guide your writing practice. They are most effective when used daily, or every other day.
Gratitude journal prompts
A gratitude journal brings your attention to the present moment and all the things you are grateful for. Your breath. Your body. Your mind. Your world.
By focussing on the positive aspects of life and giving thanks, you create even more positive feelings and emotions. People who practice gratitude feel less anxious, less depressed and experience a greater sense of joy and wellbeing.
You can cultivate gratitude with the following gratitude journal prompts:
- What am I am grateful for? Why?
- Who am I grateful to? Why?
- What blessings did I receive today?
- What did i see today that made me smile?
- List three things that made today a good day.
- List three things that make my life wonderful.
- What am I looking forward to this week?
- Write about three people who make your life wonderful.
- Reflect on an event that positively impacted your life.
- I am grateful to my mum, because _____.
- I am grateful to my dad, because _____.
- I am grateful to _____, because _____.
- Write down your favourite part of your body.
- Write down your favourite place to relax and unwind.
- Write down your favourite thing about where you live.
- Write down your favourite meal.
- What’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever been given?
- What’s the best gift I’ve ever been given?
- Who can I thank today? What can I do for them?
- How would I thank my best friend in a letter?
Personal growth prompts
We all have an innate drive to grow as human beings. Tuning into that drive and setting it in the right direction is one of the most pivotal things we can do in life.
A personal growth journal helps to clarify your dreams, motivations, values and strengths, while also revealing what isn’t important to you. This clarity allows you to channel your energy effectively and grow into the person you want to be.
Use these personal growth prompts to identify your goals and guide your evolution:
- What am I good at?
- What comes easily to me?
- What activity makes me feel focussed, energised and alive?
- What activity do I do for the love, the art, the flow?
- Write down three things you would like to achieve in life.
- Write down three things you would like to achieve this year.
- List the main obstacles stopping you from reaching your goals.
- List potential ways to overcome each of those obstacles.
- What helps you stay motivated when you feel discouraged?
- What’s the coolest thing you could do this year?
Mental health journal prompts
Mental health has a huge impact on our quality of life. It influences our happiness, enjoyment, motivation, social interactions and how we move in the world.
It’s important to care for ourselves and tend the garden of our mind as often as possible.
A mental health journal can help you to understand yourself better and observe the thoughts, feelings and emotions that come and go from a higher perspective. Capturing your lived experience in words is a great way to release all that’s building up inside and make sense of it all.
You can cultivate mental health with the following journal prompts:
- How did I feel today?
- What was I doing to create those feelings?
- What thoughts and feelings did I get stuck on today?
- What can I do to change my mind and feel better?
- What positive emotions did I express today?
- Write down three things you can do to take better care of yourself.
- Write down three things you can do to take better care of your loved ones.
- List five books that help you relax and unwind.
- List five songs that help you relax and unwind.
- Which friend always finds a way to make you laugh?
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Featured Image: @mbaumi
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