My 20 Favorite Journal Prompts for Daily Journaling

Imagine this: you’ve managed to wake up early and brew a fresh pot of coffee. The house is quiet, the kids are still in bed, and you’ve finally managed to carve out a few precious moments for yourself and write in your journal just like you promised yourself you would if only you could find the time. Well, you’ve managed to find the time but now the words won’t come. 

There are few things worse than staring at a blank page, unsure of what to write, right? I’ve been there. Just taunted by blank, white pages, my brain stumbling over a garble of words as I try to come up with something worthy of the ink from my pen. It’s the worst. Why is the blank page so intimidating? 

If you’ve found yourself in this place, then you’ve likely fallen victim to the blank page. If so, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite journal prompts to overcome your writer’s block and into a writing practice. 

Therapeutic Benefits of Journaling 

Why journal anyway? Why is this something that’s often on our ‘to-do’ list? We know it’s good for us but in case you need a reminder, here are a few reasons to start a daily journal. The practice of journaling can help reduce stress and anxiety in our daily lives. It can help you gain a deeper sense of self-awareness, and recognize patterns that can help lead to a positive change in behavior. Journaling can also help release and process emotions. It can be a tool for expressing emotions without judgment. There’s no wrong or right way to journal your emotions. It’s for your own eyes only and can be a great way to release emotions that might be weighing you down. 

My Favorite Journaling Prompts 

Journaling exercises are a great way to reap the benefits of this practice. I hope you can find a quiet space in your busy life to reflect on what’s going on in your life and your head. To help you get started, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite journaling prompts so you can fill your blank pages with all your wild and messy thoughts.   

Journaling Prompts for Stress Relief 

1. Where do you currently feel tension in your body?

2. What’s one thing that would make this day great? 

3. Name 5 things that tend to cause the most stress in your life

4. List three small moments that brought you joy today

5. Describe your perfect relaxing evening

Journaling Prompts for Anxiety

1. What am I afraid of and how is it limiting me? Is it internal or external? Real or imagined?

2. What’s one kind or supportive thing you can say to yourself? 

3. Where do I find myself most–past, future, or present?

4. What can my best self share with me today? 

5.  What new positive messages, beliefs, and stories do I want to believe about myself?

Journaling Prompts for Procrastination

1. What fears are holding you back?

2. What are my biggest distractions?

3. Write about a challenging time in your life. How did you get through it?

4. How can I break my tasks down into smaller chunks?

5. What negative emotions am I currently avoiding?   

Journaling Prompts for Self-Discovery

1. My life would be incomplete without …

2. What would your closest friends and family say is your best quality?

3. What have you accomplished in the last year that you’re proud of?

4. What things do you need to let go of?

5. What is one goal you set that you did not achieve? Why? 

I hope these journal writing prompts have inspired you to pick up a pen and jot some of your thoughts onto paper. There are countless benefits to journaling we all can take advantage of. Feel free to share your own favorite journaling ideas with us!