Journal Prompts for Beginners that You Can Use Right Away to Better Your Daily Life

• 1. Write down one thing you like about yourself, or something positive about your life.
• 2. What makes you smile?
• 3. Write about an interesting person you know or have heard of; what they do for fun, their likes, interests, dislikes, etc.
• 4. What does love mean to you? What is the meaning of life?
• 5. Describe a time when you felt really happy. How did you feel? Why were you happy?
• 6. List three things that made you angry today.
• 7. What are your dreams and aspirations?
• 8. Write about someone who has affected you in a profound way. Describe their actions and personality traits. Think about the reason why this person was important to you. How would you describe him/her if this person had died? Would he/she be remembered fondly by those around you?
• 9. Write about your best friend who has been there for you through thick and thin. Did you choose this friend? Is he/she worthy of being called your best friend? Explain why.
• 10. What kind of a relationship do you want to build with others, spouse, friends, and family? Describe it.
• 11. Make a list of all the things that make you grateful. Be specific.
• 12. Draw three people you admire who inspire you, encourage you, and motivate you toward success and greatness.
• 13. What are the qualities that you think make a great leader?
• 14. Pick any quote (from a song, book, movie, poem) that moves you deeply and write its meaning down.
• 15. What does happiness mean to you? Think about the word ‘happiness’ before you go to sleep tonight. Try to figure out the reasons why you feel happy.
• 16. Think about your strengths, weaknesses, talents, skills, and ability to perform. Make a list of everything that comes to mind.
• 17. Describe a bad day you had recently. Were you able to fix any problems that may have occurred during this time?
• 18. Express your gratitude for all the gifts you have received throughout the year.
• 19. Think about a time when you were extremely stressed out. What did you do? Was it effective as a stress reliever?
• 20. What does love mean in your life?
• 21. What could you change about your current lifestyle so far?
• 22. Think about your career goals. Do you wish to get promoted, earn more money, climb up the corporate ladder, and end up owning a company? Why do you want such an ambitious goal?
• 23. What will you do when you grow old? Will you still use the same hobbies, enjoy the same things, travel and see new places? The possibilities are endless but whatever you decide, you should always feel good about it.
• 24. Look back at your childhood memories. Recall events from your past and share them with others. Are these memories worth cherishing? Does getting nostalgic help preserve them better?
• 25. Create your own definition of happiness!
• 26. Think of anyone in your life whom you are very close to and whose presence gives you strength and helps you cope with difficult times. This person should also understand your mood swings. Now, imagine a situation in which both of you are alone together. What will happen? How will you react?
• 27. List five things that you really appreciate about yourself.
• 28. What is one thing that makes you stand out amongst others?
• 29. What are some ways in which you can improve certain areas of your personality?
• 30. Write about something that happened today that made you proud.
• 31. Name the person you dislike the least and write about why so. If possible, try to learn why this person behaves the way he or she does.
• 32. In what ways are you different from other people?
• 33. What qualities do you possess that helped you succeed in life?
• 34. Describe a moment in your life where you felt like giving up on everything. Yet, how you managed to overcome those feelings and turned the situation around?
• 35. What are the most important principles and values you hold dear?
• 36. Where would you spend eternity if given a chance?
• 37. Who inspires you? What kind of person inspires you?
• 38. What has been the toughest challenge faced by you in life? Is there anything that you have learnt from this experience?
• 39. Describe the happiest moments of your life. Describe each moment, starting from the beginning and going backwards.
• 40. Tell me about a time when you let your emotions take over you and you behaved irrationally. Did you eventually calm down after a few minutes and regain control?
• 41. What are the things you would like to accomplish in life?
• 42. What is something that you have done recently that was a waste of time?
• 43. Who is the person who is closest to your heart? Why?
• 44. Write about the first time somebody gave you unconditional love. How did it make you feel?
• 45. Describe the best time when you experienced happiness. What triggered this feeling?
• 46. Write about the happiest day of your life. Share any details.
• 47. Imagine you are travelling into space. Where do you dream of going next?
• 48. Describe a time in your life when you were scared but had no option but to deal with the situation. How did you manage to handle it?
• 49. Do you have any hidden ambitions? In what area of life could you excel more?
• 50. Share your thoughts on whether the idea of death scares you. Why?
• 51. What is the meaning behind the word “happiness”?
• 52. What are some reasons that might keep you away from sharing your experiences with someone else?
• 53. What is something you cannot forgive someone for doing to another person?
• 54. What did you want to be at the age of 5 years old? Could you ever achieve it?
• 55. What is your definition of success?
• 56. What is the secret to living a happy life?
• 57. When was the last time you cried? Why?
• 58. What is the greatest achievement of your life?
• 59. What is the worst mistake you have committed?
• 60. What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in life?
• 61. What is the most difficult decision you have taken in life?
• 62. What is the most important quality required in a friend?
• 63. What is the most beautiful thing you have seen?
• 64. What is the most valuable possession you own?
• 65. What are the three words that describe you best?
• 66. What is the most precious gift you have received in life?
• 67. What is the most unforgettable memory of your childhood?
• 68. What is the most exciting place you have visited so far?
• 69. What is the most memorable event you have attended?
• 70. What is the most interesting book you have read lately?
• 71. What is the most challenging task you have undertaken in your life?
• 72. What is the most meaningful activity you have participated in?
• 73. What is the most useful skill you possess?
• 74. What is the most significant event in your life?
• 75. What is the most remarkable thing you have witnessed?
• 76. What is the most surprising discovery you have made?
• 77. What is the most wonderful thing you have heard today?
• 78. What is the most unexpected experience you have encountered?
• 79. What is the most touching moment you have witnessed?
• 80. What is the most unusual thing you have done?
• 81. What is the most unique way you have expressed yourself?
• 82. What is the most extraordinary thing you have felt?
• 83. What is the most amazing thing you have observed?
• 84. What is the most astonishing fact you have discovered?
• 85. What is the most incredible thing you have learned?
• 86. What is the most inspiring experience you have shared?
• 87. What is the most intriguing question you have asked?
• 88. Which part of human nature fascinates you?
• 89. Have you been disappointed by others, or would they say so?
• 90. Have you ever lost your temper? What happened?
• 91. Have you ever wanted to change somebody’s mind without making them angry?
• 92. Has there been anything you really liked? Or disliked? Why?
• 93. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, what can you offer?
• 94. If everybody has one wish, what should it be?
• 95. If you could go back in time and choose an alternate career, what would it be?
• 96. How do you know when you’ve chosen a good profession?
• 97. How does being born free differ from being born poor?
• 98. How much money would you need to retire in 20 years’ time?
• 99. How will you feel if you never get to live out those dreams?
• 100. How many mistakes must we commit before we learn to walk on eggshells?
• 101. How long will you continue to work after retirement?
• 102. How old were you when you started working?
• 103. How many times have you told somebody that you love him/her?
• 104. How many times have people told me I look like my mother or grandmother?
• 105. How well do you think you fit into society?
• 106. How often do you ask yourselves, “Who am I?”
• 107. How did you decide to marry someone else?
• 108. How do you react when you see a person suffering from loneliness?

Conclusion

I hope that these journal prompts have helped you to cultivate new daily habit, as well as preventing you from negative emotions.

You deserve happiness in life, and you are entitled to feel positive energy every day. So please don’t let other people dictate how you feel because they are not the only judge of who you are or how far you have come.

Best of luck!