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105 Journal Prompts to Find Your Life Purpose

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105 Journal Prompts to Find Your Life Purpose

What if I told you that you could discover your true calling without spending thousands of dollars or years of study? That’s exactly what the journal prompt method does.

This simple technique helps you discover your life purpose by asking questions that encourage you to reflect on your values and beliefs.

Journal prompts are a great way to get started on discovering your life purpose. They can also help you explore other areas of interest, such as career, relationships, spirituality, etc.

Journal prompts are a simple and effective tool to help you discover your life purpose. The key is to ask yourself the right questions. Asking yourself why you want to change your life is important. 

If you don’t know where to start, these journal prompts might help you figure out what matters most to you.

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Journal Prompts to Find Your Purpose in Life

  • 1. Write down your favorite memories from childhood. How did they affect you throughout your life? Which ones still resonate with you today? When was it hard for you to make decisions when growing up?
  • 2. What qualities do you admire in people? Why? Are there any character traits that you wish you possessed more often? Do those character traits exist within you?
  • 3. What do you value most about being an adult? Why? Would you like to remain this age forever? Or would you prefer to be younger/older?
  • 4. Who were the three most influential figures during your childhood? Now? Does one person stand out above the rest? Is there anything you admire about them? Did their influence shape who you are now?
  • 5. Have you ever wanted to do something different than what you were doing? If so, what made you decide not to pursue that path? What would have been the outcome had you followed through on that idea?
  • 6. In general, how has your life changed since you were born? Is there any event(s) in your life you regret? What would you change if given the chance?
  • 7. Describe your ideal partner. In your opinion, what makes someone an “ideal match”? Do you believe compatibility between two people is essential to happiness? Or can you love someone without feeling compatible with them? Do you feel you have found “the One” yet?
  • 8. Can you recall the last time you felt happy? Why? Was it because you accomplished a goal? Was it just good fortune? Why do you think some days seem to go better than others?
  • 9. What changes would need to occur before you felt content living in a certain environment? Could you accept living somewhere else at this point in your life?
  • 10. Were there things that happened while you were young that affected you negatively but which led to positive outcomes later on? Explain.
  • 11. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Twenty years? Decades from now? Imagine what it will look like when you reach 40. Then imagine what it will look like after that. What will it take for you to feel satisfied? Will you even live this long?
  • 12. List the top ten things you’re thankful for. And the bottom ten. Explain why each item should be included on that list.
  • 13. Make a list of all your past regrets. Has anything you’ve done in the past helped you avoid making similar mistakes again? Explain why or why not.
  • 14. Write down your strongest beliefs. Discuss them with your significant other, family members, friends, colleagues — anyone whom you trust. Ask them whether they agree with what you wrote down.
  • 15. Describe your dream home as it appears in your mind. What kind of furnishings do you envision? How many rooms does it contain? What amenities do you want to include?
  • 16. What do you wish you knew then that you know now? This could range from basic tips to practical advice. For example, what do you wish you knew about finances? How can you use your current knowledge to improve your financial situation?
  • 17. Do you remember a time in your life when you felt truly joyful? Why? Do you think you’ll experience that same joy within the next year? Five years? Ten years?
  • 18. Are you willing to give up control and relinquish responsibility? Explain.
  • 19. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Please explain.
  • 20. Talk about a problem you face today that you are dealing with. What did you used to do when confronted with it? Explain what you would do differently now.
  • 21. When was the last time you felt really excited about reaching a milestone? Why were you more excited about the occasion? Did you meet your goals? Why /why not?
  • 22. Which situations make you emotionally comfortable? Talk about your comfort zone.
  • 23. As a child, what did you consider to be fun activities? Recreational sports? Academic studies? Social gatherings? Artistic endeavors? Hobbies? Volunteer work?
  • 24. Is there something you find challenging or intimidating to discuss? If so, how would you overcome those fears?
  • 25. Who is someone who has influenced you positively over the course of your life? Have you ever had negative influences? Explain.
  • 26. Describe the type of person you might become if you kept practicing new behaviors.
  • 27. Why do you believe that a sense of purpose and a healthy emotional state go hand-in-hand? Do you have any hobbies or interests during leisure time? (Please provide examples.)
  • 28. Describe a special relationship you’d like to develop later in life.
  • 29. In describing a relationship, what matters most to you in that relationship? What doesn’t matter at all? Explain why.
  • 30. Think back through the ages of history. Whom would people argue that contributed the most to their society? To mankind? To humanity?
  • 31. What is one thing you wish humankind didn’t have to worry about? Why?
  • 32. Make a list of ways by which you contribute to the world around you. Also make a list of ways in which you detract. What difference does it make?
  • 33. What is the biggest obstacle preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself?
  • 34. What is an unspoken expectation you place upon others? How do you expect others to meet these expectations? Do they live up to them? Discuss.
  • 35. Write down ten words/phrases that describe you completely.
  • 36. Imagine having only three days to accomplish everything you wished to do. What would you say your priorities are? Why?
  • 37. What is the single most important decision you need to make this lifetime?
  • 38. What do you feel is the best way for you to spend your final day on Earth? What would you do? Are you ready?
  • 39. What is the greatest gift you gave to another living being? Tell us about it.
  • 40. What would you change about society if you could accomplish just two things?
  • 41. What is something you can’t wait to share with family and friends? Why?
  • 42. Are you aware of how much you are loved? By whom?
  • 43. Would you describe yourself as a spiritual person? Explain your answer.
  • 44. Explain the meaning behind the quote “The soul chooses its own road…and once chosen it becomes its own fate.”
  • 45. Where can we look for inspiration? What inspires you? Why?
  • 46. Name five people who have inspired you.
  • 47. What is missing in your life right now? What is lacking in your life that makes you feel incomplete?
  • 48. Which traits/qualities are present in people you admire? What other qualities do you appreciate in them?
  • 49. What do you want out of life? And what do you want out of your relationships?
  • 50. What are your goals for this year? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years?
  • 51. What will happen to you when you die? In what direction will your life take?
  • 52. What is the last thing you remember before falling asleep every night? Before waking up?
  • 53. In looking back over the events of your life, what do you think was the most rewarding experience? The most disheartening?
  • 54. When was the last time you felt great about yourself? What were some of the underlying reasons why you felt good about yourself?
  • 55. When was the last day you cried because of happiness? Sorrow? Love? Loss? Anger?
  • 56. Why did you decide to become the person you are today? Is there any regret or remorse? If so, explain why.
  • 57. Describe a moment where you felt happy for no apparent reason?
  • 58. Who taught you to be compassionate? Explain.
  • 59. What gives you pleasure? Is there anything you find particularly pleasurable?
  • 60. Does money truly mean anything to you? Why do you think that is?
  • 61. What advice would you give someone else wanting to achieve their dreams?
  • 62. What does the expression ‘It takes one to know one’ really mean? Why do you believe this statement holds true?
  • 63. Where do you get the idea that the world owes you anything? Why is this belief so prevalent?
  • 64. Why do you fear death? Have you ever thought about letting go of fear?
  • 65. Consider all of the different ways in which you have made sacrifices for other people. In what ways has this impacted your life?
  • 66. Have you been able to let go of resentment? If so, why and at what cost?
  • 67. Do you believe you have control of your destiny? Explain.
  • 68. Have you ever given away something you love simply because you couldn’t stand losing it? Why or why not?
  • 69. What is an example of self-sacrifice you have witnessed? Did the outcome meet or exceed expectations? Explain.
  • 70. How many people around you are more important than you realize?
  • 71. What is your definition of success
  • 72. Take me through a defining moment in your personal history. What was going on around you, how did you react? Was it difficult? Easy?
  • 73. If you could choose only three things to live by the rest of your days, what would they be?
  • 74. Are there any books or movies that resonated with you strongly enough to form a part of your identity?
  • 75. What aspects of your personality reflect who you are today? In what way(s) do you relate to others?
  • 76. What makes you feel safe? Why?
  • 77. Describe a memory you treasure. What memories do you hope to pass down to future generations? To children?
  • 78. In your opinion, what characteristics do you possess that might make you better suited for certain jobs? For whom? Why?
  • 79. What are your top five regrets? If you could change those regrets into positive experiences, what would they be and why?
  • 80. What is your biggest challenge right now? How do you cope with failure? With disappointment? With rejection?
  • 81. What are your passions? What activities satisfy these needs in your life?
  • 82. If you had a chance to relive one event from your past, what would that be?
  • 83. Is there anyone or anything which means as much or more to you than your family? Define that bond.
  • 84. What are you willing to sacrifice for the ones you care about most?
  • 85. What qualities do you need in order to achieve your full potential?
  • 86. What things make you angry? Why?
  • 87. In what way will your next major decision influence the rest of your life?
  • 88. Can you describe a situation when you knew you were successful but don’t remember exactly what happened? Why?
  • 89. If you could go back in time and share a few words of advice with your younger self, what would it be?
  • 90. When was the last time you received some good news? Or celebrated something exciting? What did you learn during that experience? What difference did it make to your life?
  • 91. Who has helped shape your life? Tell them how grateful you are.
  • 92. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? How can you work on the areas that need improvement?
  • 93. Would you like to see yourself differently? Describe.
  • 94. Do you think you are loved? By whom?
  • 95. If someone asks you if you know how old you are, what will you say?
  • 96. What is your vision for your life?
  • 97. What are your personal goals? Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? 30 years?
  • 98. If you felt like you really accomplished everything you set out to accomplish, what would you want to add to your list of accomplishments?
  • 99. Who has helped shape you? Tell us briefly about what they mean to you.
  • 100. Do you agree that success is a journey in which we must strive to improve over time? Why/Why not?
  • 101. How does living well prepare you for success?
  • 102. How would you regulate your emotions so that you can have more positive emotions in your daily routines?
  • 103. In what ways can you contribute to the lives of those who surround you?
  • 104. Have you ever been jealous of another person? Of someone else’s life? Why?
  • 105. Sometimes people tell us that we should just “do what feels natural” without considering our own desires. What role do you play in this process?

Conclusion

I hope that these journaling prompts can help you in your personal growth journey, as well as helping you to build your dream life.

We all deserve to live a meaningful life, and by understanding our dreams and fears, we can start living the life we desire.

So find the courage to be honest with yourself and explore the questions I have listed here – maybe they will lead you in a direction that makes sense.

Best of luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Felix Prasetyo is the founder and publisher at Lifengoal, covering relationships, social skills, and personal growth. Felix holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, and has also contributed to other media publications such as Addicted2Success.com and YogiApproved.

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