Journal Prompts on Being Kind and Appreciative

• 1. Journal about a challenging situation or dilemma that you had recently. What made it difficult? How did you handle it? Why do you think this happened?
• 2. Write down two things that someone else has done for you in the last week. Describe the impact of those actions.
• 3. Share your most recent experience of kindness. Record any lessons learned from others.
• 4. Make a list of all the kinds acts of generosity you have experienced over the past week.
• 5. Reflect on experiences where you were able, without prompting, to be especially kind toward another person.
• 6. Think back and recall when you have been especially patient and forgiving with yourself.
• 7. List the three people who you know best in your life. Tell them how they support you, inspire you, and bring out the best in you.
• 8. Write about an act of courage or bravery performed by anyone in your family.
• 9. Remember a moment when you were unexpectedly generous and thoughtful to someone in your community. What was going through your mind at that time?
• 10. Write about a time when you could not control what you said or felt but nevertheless chose to keep your sense of calm and grace under pressure.
• 11. Ask yourself if there was anything positive that came out of the conflict that caused you stress. Was there something you gained as a result?
• 12. Look around your office or workspace and notice what inspires you. Is it something tangible (like art) or intangible (like a plant)?
• 13. Recall an instance when someone helped you when you needed it. Write about it.
• 14. Review a time when you spoke kindly to someone because he or she was having a bad day.
• 15. Think about the different reasons why good friends may sometimes hurt us. For example, jealousy or envy.
• 16. Consider times when you behaved unkindly to someone who deserved it most. Did you learn something valuable as a result?
• 17. When was the last time you listened carefully to someone’s story without interrupting or criticizing?
• 18. Share a memory of the last time you acted selfishly. When you asked yourself “why am I doing that?,” what were your answers?
• 19. Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more patience when dealing with someone? Or worse still, feeling sorry for yourself because you cannot seem to win their approval?
• 20. When has someone helped you so much that you feel like crying tears of gratitude?
• 21. Think about the people who make you laugh—the ones you love and the ones you hate. Who do you secretly hope never asks you questions again?
• 22. Do you remember the last time you gave an honest compliment?
• 23. Think about moments when you really appreciated being loved. What emotions took over? Compare and contrast: loving/being praised vs. loving/loved.
• 24. Have you ever thought to yourself: ‘It would be better if I were…’? If so, write about one or two occasions where you could use some self-improvement.
• 25. Read these words and then try to imagine them spoken by someone else: “I will always stay close to you; I will never leave you alone; You can count on knowing what my heart is saying to you.”
• 26. Remember a time when you went above and beyond to help someone. How did you feel afterwards? Were you proud?
• 27. Write down the names of four or five things you are grateful for each day.
• 28. Imagine your life without any material possessions. Would you have less joy and peace of mind? More sadness and regret?
• 29. Think back to a time when you truly cared for someone else and what happened as a result.
• 30. Reflect upon a recent experience that made you happy. Describe briefly what made you happy.
• 31. Think of someone whom you admire. Why does this person inspire admiration in others?
• 32. When have you found courage to overcome weakness, fear, insecurity or anger?
• 33. Look at the glass half full, half empty, or somewhere in between. Which perspective makes you happier?
• 34. Tell yourself three compliments. Then say thank you to yourself for making your own life happy.
• 35. List three qualities that make you special and unique.
• 36. Journal about experiences that have taught you how to give back kindness to the world.
• 37. Think about all the positive changes you want to see in the world. What would happen if everyone started to act kinder towards one another?
• 38. Listen closely to your inner voice—do you hear it telling you something important? Try to understand its message.
• 39. In what ways can kindness change your relationship with other people?
• 40. Can you name at least ten reasons why acts of kindness may not be popular? Why might they benefit us instead?
• 41. At what point during the day do you think you need a boost of kindness? Is there anything you can do to achieve this?
• 42. A great way to practice kindness every single day is to be kind to yourself. What are your thoughts about kindness to oneself?
• 43. Find out what you need to do today to practice kindness to yourself. Make your own list of things that you can do.
• 44. Think of someone you dislike. Now look and listen very closely to how he thinks and behaves. Notice any common traits.
• 45. Ask yourself what it would mean to live completely within the truth. Does anyone do this?
• 46. Has anyone in your life inspired you with examples of living true to who they are?
• 47. Journal about an example of kindness in which you have participated.
• 48. Write about an occasion when you practiced kindness with your parents, your grandparents, or your siblings.
• 49. Have you ever been unkind to yourself? Did you regret it later? If yes, then write about how you resolved the issue.
• 50. Take some time to think about the best kind gesture you’ve ever received, and tell me about it.
• 51. Consider which of the following questions most accurately describes you: Are you a friendly type? Do you like helping others? Are you generous in spirit?
• 52. Write down two good deeds you could perform right now that would benefit someone. Choose one.
• 53. What might it take for you to learn generosity and compassion toward someone?
• 54. Think back over your life and recall a time when you helped someone in a significant way. Was this kindness returned in kind?
• 55. Can you remember the last time someone was kind to you? What was going through their mind? How did you feel?
• 56. Think about the last time you acted kindly toward someone. What was the outcome?
• 57. Can you think of someone who made a difference in your life? How did they affect your thinking, your behavior, or both?
• 58. Give some thought to what it means to be kind. Do you know what it takes to be kind? Have you practiced being kind?
• 59. When you were young, what did you wish for in order to make a mark in this world? What has come to pass?
• 60. Think of your family; specifically, imagine your mother, your father, your brother/ sister, and your extended family members.
• 61. Which of these three statements resonates with you the most? There is no difference between good and evil. Good will always win. You are a unique individual.
• 62. Think of the ways in which your beliefs about the universe influence your view of society as well as your relationships with others. Do you believe that we are all interconnected?
• 63. Where does your sense of purpose originate from? Do you tend to derive personal meaning from work alone?
• 64. What is important to you? Why? Do you find personal happiness in a job? Or do you prefer to follow your passions instead?
• 65. Imagine you had the choice to start again tomorrow by making different choices. Whom do you want to spend time with? Who do you want to love?
• 66. Who is the person you admire most? Why?
• 67. Is there anything more important than having the ability to change? Why?
• 68. Write about someone alive today whom you have never met but whose words inspire you.
• 69. In what areas of your life have you found success? By what measures can you measure success?
• 70. Has learning something new affected your relationship with your husband or wife? Other close friend? Family member? Partner? Child?
• 71. Compare the quality of your relationships with those around you. Are many people just acquaintances? Friends? Acquaintances? Strangers?
• 72. What value do you place on friendship? To whom do you give your loyalty?
• 73. Of the people in your life, how much do you trust them? Are you comfortable confiding in them?
• 74. From where would you get strength needed to continue living? With whom would you count on if you knew you couldn’t help yourself?
• 75. If you were to choose only one memory from your entire life, which would it be? Would it be the first time you smiled at another human being? The day you decided to walk away from your parents? Your first kiss? A favorite vacation spot?

Conclusion

I hope that these writing prompts have helped you to cultivate a healthy relationship and inspire you to do more kindness activity in your daily life.

Best of luck!