Journal Prompts for Inner Peace, Healing, and Difficult Situations

• 1. Write about an important experience from your past. As soon as the memories come up, write down what you remember. You may discover things about yourself you didn’t know existed.
• 2. Write about an event that’s still troubling you or that happened recently. How did it make you feel? Describe any physical sensations or thoughts that came with the memory. Did anything change while writing?
• 3. Consider a situation where you felt angry or hurt someone’s feelings or have negative emotions. What was going through your mind? Do you think it was justified? Why do you believe they behaved that way?
• 4. Think about something you love that makes you happy. What does it remind you of? How does it help you feel?
• 5. List five good qualities that describe you. Then list the bad ones. See how much more space there is between the two lists!
• 6. Make a wish. Say it aloud three times and watch yourself accomplish it!
• 7. Ask yourself why you’re reading these words right now. Write down all the reasons you could think of.
• 8. Start a gratitude list. When you notice something positive happening, write it down.
• 9. Consider all the people who have helped you so far today. Thank them by name.
• 10. Pay attention to the people and events in your surroundings. Notice whether the environment affects how you feel.
• 11. Imagine being calm, clearheaded, and relaxed. Notice the effect it has on you.
• 12. Make a list of everything you’ve lost since you were born. Then write down five items you’d like to find again.
• 13. Recall an embarrassing moment and write about it. Is it really as bad as you remember?
• 14. Reflect on how you spend your free time. What would you rather be doing instead?
• 15. Decide if you agree with the following statement: “Life is always changing.” If not, why not?
• 16. Think about what you feel when you’re at peace or happy. Does anything happen within you?
• 17. Tell everyone you care about why they mean so much to you.
• 18. Choose one thing you want to learn. Spend a few days learning it.
• 19. Explain exactly why you deserve happiness.
• 20. Make a plan for every day ahead. Take 10 minutes before bedtime to imagine each day going well.
• 21. Be honest about the parts of your life that aren’t working. Write down all the ways you’d like to see them turn out differently.
• 22. Make a timeline of your entire life. Where are you right now?
• 23. Make a list of the things you don’t want to lose. Then cross off those things that actually exist already.
• 24. Write down the names of four goals you hope to achieve this year.
• 25. Ask yourself the question, “What kind of person am I?” Then write down what comes to mind.
• 26. Pick five facts you admire most about yourself.
• 27. Think of a person whom you’d like to forgive. Allow yourself to say whatever you need to. It might take several hours — don’t hold back.
• 28. Make a wish. Look into your heart and listen carefully to what you hear.
• 29. Make a promise to yourself to change something about yourself.
• 30. Remember a memory or feeling from childhood. Describe it and add a personal twist.
• 31. Write down ten dreams you had as a child. Now write down ten wishes you’d like to fulfill.
• 32. Plan for the future. What will you be doing tomorrow? Next week?
• 33. Begin to notice the moments of peace throughout your daily routine.
• 34. Write about someone you know who inspires you.
• 35. Think about how different your life would be if you changed just one habit.
• 36. Think about what things you do unconsciously that keep you stuck.
• 37. Write down your fears and worries. Think about the consequences of acting on your worries.
• 38. Make a list of any fears you may have. Then think of some situations where these fears could come true.
• 39. Think of something you love about yourself. Why do you love it?
• 40. Examine the way you treat others. Do certain people receive special treatment? And what happens when you treat everyone equally?
• 41. What does it mean to trust yourself? What does it mean to believe in yourself? How do you know you’re listening to yourself?
• 43. Write down something that makes you angry. Write down the truth behind its source.
• 44. Think about whether or not you’ve been a good friend over the years. If not, why not and what can you do to make up for lost friendships?
• 45. Make a list of all the things you’d like to be grateful for today.
• 46. Make a list of positive aspects about yourself.
• 47. Think about what it would mean to really know yourself deeply. What would being fully knowledgeable about yourself entail?
• 48. Imagine an imaginary world in which everything is perfect. Would it be more difficult or easier than our current reality?
• 49. Think of someone you’d like to work with in the near future. What qualities would you look for in this person?
• 50. Think about someone who has inspired you. What was it about them that made them so inspiring? How did you benefit from their example?
• 51. Think about the times you failed at important tasks. See if there’s anything that you did differently.
• 52. Think of two words that describe you. Which word do you prefer? Why?
• 53. Think about three characteristics you’d like to develop in yourself.
• 54. Think about three traits you’d like to improve upon.
• 55. Choose something about you that you’d rather change. What are you afraid of?
• 56. Listen closely to your inner voice. When you feel uncertain or fearful, ask yourself: “What am I experiencing?” Does it match your thoughts?
• 57. Think about ways in which you can help others. Are you willing to give time for others’ needs?
• 58. Think of five goals that you want to achieve by next year.
• 59. Write about a time when you felt especially close to another person. What made it happen? What happened after words?
• 60. Think of ten people you admire and try to figure out what they seem to share in common.
• 61. What do you need to learn right now? How much do you want to know?
• 62. Is there anyone in your life whom you don’t appreciate as you should? List his/her names. What do you need most from this person?
• 63. Look back on your past experiences and think about how each affected you.
• 64. Think about the events and conversations that have influenced your personality. Who were your primary influences? Secondary influences? Where do you find yourself today based on those influences?
• 65. Think about other people you haven’t had much contact with. Would you like to get better acquainted?
• 66. Think of someone who helped you grow emotionally. What did he/she do? How will you repay him/her?
• 67. Take some time to think about the best parts of your life. What are you grateful for?
• 68. Think about what one thing you’ll never forget in your entire life. What would that be?
• 69. Think about a happy memory of your childhood. What kind of feelings do you still carry away from that experience?
• 70. Think of a situation in which you feel good about yourself. Describe the circumstances. Do you often feel like this?
• 71. What does love mean to you? What is the first image in your mind when you hear the word “love”?
• 72. Think of a moment in your life when you felt truly connected to another person. What could have made that connection stronger?
• 73. Think about a person you’re not sure you’ll ever see again. Write down her/his message to you on a piece of paper.
• 74. Think about a day that changed your life forever. The event may have been big or small, positive or negative. Regardless of magnitude, what stood out in your memory?
• 75. What do you want to do differently in the future?
• 76. What is important to you? What do you hope for? What keeps you awake at night?
• 77. Imagine a world without money. What would you miss most? You might not even notice anything different.
• 78. If you were given an opportunity to change just one thing about your life, what would you choose?
• 79. What has been your biggest achievement so far? Why was it significant? What plans do you have for your future achievements?
• 80. What’s your greatest fear? What would make you stop feeling that way?
• 81. What are you proudest of? What do you enjoy doing more than almost anything else?
• 82. What makes you angry? Why do you get mad? What happens when you lose control?
• 83. What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
• 84. What do you dream about accomplishing? What kinds of changes do you want to make? What have you done already to make these changes possible?
• 85. In what ways can you improve your ability to listen?
• 86. Which aspects of your personality do you dislike the least? Why is this true for you?
• 87. What are you most afraid of losing? What are you willing to give up for your own happiness?
• 88. Whom do you trust completely? Whom do you trust only partially? To what lengths would you go to protect your loved ones?
• 89. What do you consider your highest value? What qualities do you admire most in others?
• 90. What do you look forward to most in life? What do you dread most? Why?
• 91. Have you ever thought that something good could come out of pain? Explain.
• 92. What is the single most important quality that you need to develop?
• 93. What do you really want out of life?
• 94. How will you know if you’ve succeeded in reaching your goals?
• 95. What inspires you today?
• 96. What do you want your legacy to be? Where do you envision yourself in 10 years? 15 years? 25 years? 50 years? 100 years?
• 97. What are you thinking right now? Is there any truth in what you’re thinking?
• 98. Imagine that everything you write in each journal entry becomes reality. Are there things you’d regret if they happened as a result of writing them? What are those things?
• 99. Think about someone who has influenced your life. How did his/her influence affect you?
• 100. Think of a person who’s helped you grow. Who was that person? What impact did he/she have on your life? On your community?

Conclusion

I hope that these journal prompts have helped you to better your daily life and heal from any painful memories that you might have.

Your healing process will be different, so don’t compare yourself with anyone else. Especially during a difficult time. I’m sure that you’ll find plenty of new insights into yourself along the way.

Best of luck!