50 Things to Write About In a Journal: A List

Over the years, I have journaled about basically anything that can cross one’s mind – traumas, inner and outer conflicts, hopes, plans, goals, failures, decisions and regrets, gratitude, and anger issues. I’ve cried, laughed, and “not cared at all” while scribbling on the white page. I’ve talked to God through my writing, and I’ve spoken to my past and future self.

Journaling is my portal to another world where I find understanding, and I am the vessel through which ideas, feelings, and healings have found their way out of… well, whatever place they’ve occupied.

Writing, regardless of the subject, has always been an itch inside me. It is the best way to communicate with others (like this blog) and myself, and it is the most approachable therapy I’ve ever had access to.

And from the point of view of someone with so much journaling experience, I can honestly say that it isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

No, I don’t always know what to write about. Again, it’s an itch, but it takes a while to really find the right spot so I can dig my nails into it (metaphorically speaking).

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So, when someone tells you that you only need a pen and paper, they are only telling you the first half of the story.

You will eventually feel brave enough to grab that pen and open the blank notebook without further knowledge of the result. But that’s an “after” process.

It is “after” you’ve already created a connection to the paper, the pen, and most importantly, that inner vessel that I believe lies within you.

And until that “after” arrives, you can feel scared, or at least uncomfortable, of the process of writing. It comes naturally to me, but this might not be the case for you.

So, now you are stuck in the “before” stage, where you need that extra push, the spark to ignite the fire inside you, bring out the feelings, and give you enough courage to lower that pen to the paper.

For this “before,” I have a list of 50 journal prompts and things to write about in a regular journal.

Warning: The first few questions are simple, just like a “warm-up” would be, but as you go down the list, I can guarantee you there will be challenges.

Things to Write About In a Journal

1. Describe your day.
2. What were the best things that happened today?
3. Describe your plans for the week/weekend.
4. Reflect on the week or the month.
5. Explain your Why for the goals you have right now.
6. Explain why you made an important recent decision.
7. Write a letter to your future self.
8. Write a letter to your past self.
9. Express gratitude for something good.
10. Talk about a favorite book or a movie.
11. List your favorite quotes that reflect your everyday life right now.
12. Talk about a favorite person in your life and why they are so important to you.
13. Approach a past trauma and write about it from the perspective of time.
14. List moments you were proud of yourself.
15. Describe your biggest strength and how you think you’ve developed it.
16. Write about your worst (or most annoying) personal characteristic and why you believe you have it.
17. Play the “Why” game: Write how you feel right now and ask “Why?” then keep answering and asking that question until you run out of stuff to write.
18. Write a vision of who you are 5 or 10 years from now.
19. Write a list of achievements you’re proud of.
20. What inspires you right now?
21. What is a favorite memory from your childhood?
22. What is a favorite memory from each decade of your life?
23. Write a short story about a person named after you: where would their story begin, and what adventures would you place on their path?
24. What are three small moments from today that made you smile?
25. If you could have 100% control over your day tomorrow, what would it look like?
26. Describe a mistake you’ve made and what you’ve learned from it.
27. What is something you struggle to forgive yourself for?
28. What is a cringeworthy moment that sometimes keeps you awake?
29. Write a “thank you” letter to someone, knowing you would never send it to them.
30. What is a good habit you’ve developed that has helped you become a better version of yourself? Did you like that habit at the beginning, or was it a habit you had no choice but to develop?
31. Write a time or a period of your life when you felt truly at peace with yourself.
32. Do you know what your core values are? List them and write their “Why”.
33. What does success look like to you?
34. What is something controversial you believe in but are shy of telling others about?
35. What is a belief you once had but you’ve changed your mind about?
36. Write about an irrational fear you have and explain why you want to (or don’t want to) overcome it.
37. Describe a time when you felt completely out of control of your life. Looking back from the perspective of time, do you see things the same way?
38. Whose voice do you hear in your head when you judge yourself? Can’t identify it? Write down the things it tells you and read through – who speaks like that in your life?
39. Describe a goal or a dream you’ve abandoned.
40. If you could choose to be genuinely famous for one thing, what would that thing be?
41. Write about a time when you were braver than expected.
42. What is something you are currently struggling with?
43. What are three things you believe people never see in you?
44. Is there a difference between the way you see yourself and the way people perceive you?
45. Describe the last time you felt deeply connected to someone. What were you talking about?
46. What is a habit or a personal trait you no longer have, and you are happy about it?
47. List five things you love about the current season of your life.
48. What is something you wish you could say out loud, but you can’t or shouldn’t?
49. What is your relationship with change – do you embrace it, or do you fear it?
50. Describe a part of yourself you are still trying to understand.
51. What is something in your life right now that feels “just right”?
52. If you could find out just one thing about your future, what would it be?

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