List of Journal Prompts to Create Your Ideal Life

• 1. What am I grateful for today? Expressing gratitude has been shown to improve your overall well being and happiness, so why would you ever want to skip this step in your journaling session?
• 2. Are there any lessons which I need to learn from my own mistakes? A lot of times we let our emotions dictate what we think about certain issues. For example, if someone cut us off, we may think, “Oh, he hates me.” But it could be quite the opposite – they were just trying to be nice and didn’t know how to say hello! Learn to understand who you are dealing with instead of going by the emotion only.
• 3. Am I making my goals more specific? Before you put your dreams into words, you might have thought of some vague things like “I’m moving out,” but once you actually go through the process of saying these words, you will realize that those things require more detail than that. Make sure you set realistic goals and keep yourself motivated enough to achieve them.
• 4. Is there anything that I enjoy doing that I haven’t done yet? The problem with many people is that they don’t really try new things because they’re afraid of failing. You could always find an excuse to stay where you are, but when it comes to personal growth, you definitely shouldn’t give excuses for not progressing further.
• 5. When was the last time that I was happy? Happiness isn’t something that happens overnight. Instead of worrying about whether or not you’ll feel happy tomorrow, stop focusing on negative situations and focus on positive ones instead.
• 6. Do I have any regrets? There will always be things that happen in life that people wish wasn’t the case – maybe they weren’t able to graduate college, or their spouse left them. However, no matter how big or small your regrets are, getting past them will give you more room to move forward.
• 7. Do I love myself? Self-love means that you appreciate all the good qualities that you possess as opposed to looking at every single thing wrong about yourself. We tend to view ourselves negatively due to negative self-talk and other factors. You should spend some time praising yourself each day to show yourself that you do indeed deserve love.
• 8. Do I love others? Loving others is similar to loving yourself in that loving yourself involves appreciating everything you’ve got rather than constantly thinking about what you lack. Since you share the same genes, you also automatically share the same characteristics. So, when you become aware of your shortcomings, you also need to acknowledge the strengths in other people too.
• 9. Have I forgiven anyone for a mistake that they made against me? If you truly forgive people who hurt you then you can live free of bitterness. It’s hard to imagine that all human beings are basically sweet unless you have experienced them personally. Allowing yourself to believe this idea lets you let go of hate and resentment towards others.
• 10. Who do I surround myself with? If you want your life to change, you have to change your surroundings. Surround yourself with people who encourage positivity and success, not negativity and failure.
• 11. Do I follow my intuition? Intuition is meant to guide us in our decisions, not make them for us. If something doesn’t feel right then you should probably trust your gut instinct before following anyone else’s advice.
• 12. Do I take responsibility for my actions? Taking full blame for mistakes keeps you from learning from them. If a friend asks you if he/she did something wrong, ask them if they would want to know if someone asked them the same question. The answer usually will be yes.
• 13. Am I living based off of regret? Regret is never going away so you won’t ever get over it. The only way to escape sorrow and pain is to learn from your mistakes and move on with your life. Don’t beat yourself up; just accept it!
• 14. Is there anything that could improve my life? Look around you. What do you see that could improve your life? Chances are, there is more than one thing. For example, you might be able to buy a new car for less money by shopping online. Or you may decide to sell an item on eBay to earn a little extra cash. Whatever idea comes into mind, just make sure it’s something that you really want.
• 15. Am I living below my means? In order to change many aspects of your current lifestyle, you’re going to have to cut back on spending. Cut out unnecessary expenses and start saving money while making sure that you still enjoy life.
• 16. Am I happy? Happiness is often defined as being content with the state of things or feeling satisfied. When we think about happiness, we tend to focus on external signs such as wealth, relationships, health, career, etc. These external items aren’t always possible to maintain continuously. Therefore, you should instead work towards internal well-being, which includes having an attitude of optimism toward the future, forgiveness toward others and appreciation toward yourself.
• 17. Will I accomplish what I set out to do? A good rule of thumb is: “If you don’t take control, someone else will.” You’ll find ways to achieve anything if you simply stop waiting for help from others.
• 18. Do I keep my promises? Keeping promises is important in business, personal relations and friendships because it builds trustworthiness. When you make commitments, hold up your end of the deal and fulfill your obligations.
• 19. Am I taking care of my body? Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly enables you to maintain a fit body and avoid illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and joint problems. Make sure that you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
• 20. How does what I am doing today differ from what I should be doing to reach my goals? We all have dreams; some of us are born with this desire to create something wonderful while other people must figure it out along their journey through life. It’s easy to get caught up in dreaming though, without paying attention into how far you’ve come.
• 21. Do I give myself credit where credits due? Give yourself credit when you deserve it. Take time to notice the progress you’ve made in various areas of your life and let it motivate you to continue moving forward.
• 22. Am I working hard enough? It takes work to become successful. Successful people practice discipline to achieve results. They sacrifice sleep and rest for the sake of reaching their goals. You have to put in the effort to achieve success.
• 23. Who can I turn to for advice? Turn to family members, friends and professionals who have experience in similar scenarios. This will allow you to gain information and knowledge to better your situation rather than relying on your own feelings and emotions alone.
• 24. Can I relax? Relaxation allows our bodies to heal and rejuvenate after intense periods of stress and anxiety. Stress isn’t necessarily bad, but it becomes unhealthy when it lasts too long or becomes chronic. Find ways to unwind, relax and de-stress so you can stay focused and productive.
• 25. Is everything okay? Ask yourself if you’re doing everything right. If not, then ask someone else to confirm your suspicions. Once you identify any issues, take steps to fix them immediately and eliminate any obstacles in the way of your goal achievement.
• 26. What motivates me most? Motivation comes both externally and internally. External sources include earning income, gaining respect from others, buying items and being recognized by society. Internal sources include self confidence, motivation, love, peace of mind and happiness. Follow your passions, learn new things and discover strengths within yourself.
• 27. Will I succeed? Every one of us has moments when we’re afraid to try something new. That doesn’t mean we won’t succeed in the future; we just need to realize that failure is an inevitable part of every endeavor. No matter how much we fear failure, nothing succeeds without first trying. Don’t forget that!
• 28. Does my dream really matter? Dreams happen when we believe in our abilities and commit ourselves to achieving those dreams. Be patient during the process. Never give up on chasing those dreams.
• 29. Where did I fail last week? Most importantly, know that failures only provide direction for the future. Use these experiences as stepping stones to achieve success in the next opportunity. Failure isn’t an end in itself; it’s a lesson learnt that leads to greater growth.
• 30. Am I prepared for change? When change occurs, prepare to adapt and adjust your plans accordingly. Stay flexible and don’t let your ego get in the way of your ability to see different perspectives. Change is good. Learn to embrace it.
• 31. Are my current actions leading me towards my goal/dream? Remember that every action is simply another step taken. If your actions aren’t headed in that direction, then re-evaluate your plans and act accordingly. The sooner you correct course, the quicker you’ll attain your ultimate goal.
• 32. How do I make time to accomplish what’s important to me? Make priorities lists. Schedule projects into time slots along with other activities throughout the day when possible. Prioritize tasks based on importance.
• 33. Do I deserve the best opportunities in life? As human beings, we all share certain qualities. We are born with basic characteristics such as intelligence, curiosity, creativity, determination, honesty etc. However, this doesn’t guarantee us access to higher education, employment opportunities or career paths. It’s up to each individual to prove their worth.
• 34. When am I happiest? Happiness is found in moments of quiet reflection. A momentary break from busy schedules gives you a chance to step back and think about why you’re living and what you want to accomplish.
• 35. Can I trust myself and be true to myself? Self-doubt is detrimental to personal development. In order to become better than we already are, we must accept that we have more potential and work harder to fulfill our goals.
• 36. How will I handle stress? Stressful circumstances are unavoidable. It is up to us to decide whether we choose to deal with negative emotions or allow them to control us. Acceptance of reality allows us to move past any situation and gain closure.
• 37. Am I willing to sacrifice for what matters most? While we may not always agree with the definition of’ sacrifice’, there is no question that sometimes doing less and being more is better than overdoing things and feeling drained at the end of the day.
• 38. What is the best use of my energy right now? Energy is like money: never spend what you can’t afford. If you focus on using your energy wisely, you’ll find yourself spending less time worrying about where your energy comes from and more focused on doing the things that matter.
• 39. Why should I listen to my inner voice? Whether by intuition, instinct, passion or reason – if you feel something inside of you, do not ignore it. Listen attentively and follow your gut instincts. They are your greatest source of guidance.
• 40. What is the best way to overcome fear? Fear is often one of our biggest obstacles. Rather than thinking negatively about situations, try to turn them into positive lessons. By embracing failure, we can learn how to improve ourselves and grow stronger.
• 41. Am I taking care of myself enough? There’s nothing wrong with eating well and exercising regularly. But, when it comes to self-care, some people are too hard on themselves. Take a break from focusing on your flaws; instead, concentrate on the good that exists within yourself.
• 42. Where does my attention lie? Have you ever noticed that when an idea is presented to you, the first thing you do is quickly tell others about it or start writing down notes? The problem here is that instead of listening to your own mental thoughts so they can formulate into ideas, you first put them down in writing. Your mind is creating an illusion of your attention lying elsewhere.
• 43. What causes happiness? When we’re young, we’re always happy to see new faces. We love being around other people because we thrive off of stimulating conversation. Later in life, however, we begin to get jaded towards the same old routine. Our minds stop absorbing new information and take pleasure in looking outwards instead of inwardly.
• 44. What is my purpose in life? To pursue your dreams. Your identity is defined through your actions and passions. You can’t really define yourself until you live your values and make sure that your actions align with these ideals.
• 45. How can I stay motivated after achieving great success? Great accomplishments require tremendous amounts of effort and patience. Instead of thinking “I’ve worked hard”, let yourself bask in the glory of your achievements. Then, remind yourself of times when you faced struggles to reach greater heights.
• 46. Do any of these beliefs need altering? It doesn’t mean that everything that you believe is false or untrue. However, maybe certain parts of your beliefs are causing stress and draining you mentally and physically. Let go of the past and change your beliefs regarding the present.
• 47. Is this relationship working for me? A relationship requires lots of trust and hard work. Sometimes it takes a while before two different personalities can understand each other. In the meantime, be patient and don’t give up hope.
• 48. What are some ways to strengthen an existing friendship? The best way to ensure your friendships last long term is to treat everyone equally. Don’t allow your friends to have power over you. Don’t let your personal feelings dictate whether someone deserves your time or not. Be consistent in expressing appreciation and showing gratitude.
• 49. How can I make the most use out of my time? Time isn’t just money that runs away. It’s a valuable asset that we should work as hard as possible to optimize. Instead of wasting time in mindless activities such as surfing the Internet, read books, play games or watch TV shows. These activities will improve your knowledge and broaden your outlook.
• 50. Should I try to avoid negative emotions if I want to succeed? Negative emotions are often used to fuel our energy. If you feel sad and angry at what’s happening in your life, channel your energies into positive outcomes. Instead of wallowing in despair, focus on getting through the difficult moments with a clear head.
• 51. Why do I struggle so much with procrastination? Procrastinating is caused by fear. When you are afraid to fail, then you won’t strive for greatness. Fearlessness is one of the greatest qualities that help us achieve our goals.
• 52. What does it mean to possess integrity? Integrity allows you to have no pretense about who you really are. This means that you’ll express your true self without hiding behind masks and facades. If you want to know how to develop more integrity, learn from others. Observe those who have attained success and wisdom.
• 53. Am I making enough progress in changing my behavior? If you’ve been struggling with a problem for a long time, it might be very hard to overcome. But once you finally decide to start doing something differently, you will notice that your efforts are paying off. Stay persistent and keep trying.
• 54. Can I ever truly forgive myself? There’s nothing wrong with apologizing to yourself. Apologies make us realize that we were wrong and help us move forward. You can never fully get rid of guilt. However, you can reduce its impact on your life by letting go of old wounds.
• 55. Is there anything I’m overlooking? It’s good to reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses. Once you become aware of the areas where you lack skills or experience, you can acquire both through study and practice. As you grow, you’ll find new opportunities arise that will lead you toward success.
• 56. Does anyone else like me? Think back to your childhood and recall all the people who made an impression on you. Some may have felt special because they had a unique personality. Others could make you laugh. Ask yourself: Are you still influenced by these people even though their presence has faded?
• 57. Am I being selfish when I take pride in other people’s achievements? No matter how modestly one accomplishes great things, it’s important to acknowledge his or her accomplishments wholeheartedly. You don’t need to compare yourself to others. Let them bask in glory while you enjoy your own success.
• 58. Do I deserve anything better than this? Take inventory of your circumstances. Are you living below your potential due to poor choices? Don’t accept your current situation. Change your fate by following advice from successful people.
• 59. Should I always do what makes me happy? People seek happiness everywhere but rarely find it. Try to find a balance between pursuing peace and security and enjoying occasional pleasures. Happiness doesn’t come automatically – you have to work for it.
• 60. Will my future bring any surprises? While you might not think of yourself as a risk-taker, some adventures and misadventures lie ahead. Be prepared to tackle unexpected challenges. Things seldom happen according to plan.
• 61. Am I really happy now? Every person wants to feel contented and satisfied with the way he or she lives. But if we’re feeling unhappy often, then we should question whether our present condition is actually worth the effort. Maybe it’s time for change.
• 62. Who am I really talking to right now? Whenever you meet someone for the first time, try to remember all the details of that meeting. Then later ask yourself: Did you behave naturally throughout the conversation? Or did you try too hard to impress?
• 63. Do my dreams seem unrealistic? Perhaps your ambitions aren’t realistic after all. Instead of dreaming big, focus on smaller goals. When you achieve each goal, you’ll gain confidence for further endeavors.
• 64. How do I best relax? The world offers many ways to relieve stress; none are more effective than spending quality time with loved ones. If you must be alone, spend some time thinking about the meaning behind your actions.
• 65. What can I learn from my mistakes? The truth is that nobody learns much from his or her successes. So why not start studying your failures instead? This knowledge can teach you what went wrong so that you won’t repeat the same mistake again.
• 66. Am I doing everything I can for my family? Make a list of your responsibilities. Is there something new you want to add to the list? Write down every obligation that’s weighing you down.
• 67. Why should I be grateful for the little things? Every day, we notice small blessings. These everyday delights can inspire us to appreciate life with greater joy. And gratitude motivates us to improve ourselves and benefit others around us.
• 68. Where was I born? Many people take comfort in where they were born. They believe that place will also help determine their fate. To ensure positive results, pay attention to where you were raised.
• 69. Where do I go from here? What do I do next? Before embarking on a new career path or undertaking a major project, write down an outline of your intentions. You may discover unforeseen obstacles along the way.
• 70. Have I done enough today? We tend to forget that every action has consequences. Consider this moment a gift. It’s up to you to decide how you use it.
• 71. What makes me unique? There is no one else like you in this world. No matter how different you appear, you have something in common – a strong passion to succeed.
• 72. What would life be without love? A lot less fun, isn’t it? Love connects people together, unites families, and inspires individuals to work harder. Without true love, life seems empty.
• 73. Can I accept who I am? Everyone is born into this world a certain way. Some people are smarter and more handsome than others. Everyone has a unique set of qualities. Accept reality before it crushes you.

Conclusion

I hope that these journaling prompts have helped you to achieve your dream life, as well as helping you to manage any difficult emotions that you may have in your daily life.

Best of luck!