My journal has been with me through the good and the not-so-good times in my life. It has been a friend, my trusted confidant, my comforter, and my guide. I feel safe when I write in my journal — there is no judgment or criticism.
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” – Christina Baldwin
In my journal, I have laughed, cried, and I am myself fully without edits or censorship. I’ve used my journal to vent about my day, complain about my family, and express the hurt and disappointment others have caused me. But using my journal for self-awareness, self-connection and exploration have opened a whole new world for me.
Today I am sharing ten journal prompts to get you started in your self-connection journey.
First things first, you’ll need a notebook; if you have one, then great; if you don’t, here’s a link to my Amazon Store with all of my favorites. You’ll also need a pen — if you have a favorite pen, that is a beautiful start; if not, any pen will do, and finally, a quiet place.
I journal almost every day — I love morning journaling. But I journal at night if I feel the need to, and I always have a small notebook with me at all times just in case I have a moment or a thought I want to capture.
Sitting in my bed, with or without my morning coffee, looking out into the backyard makes a beautiful setting for my morning journaling, but I’ve also gotten into my car and driven to a quiet corner on the street to journal. And I’ve sat on my toilet in tears and journaled. There is no perfect way.
Rules of Journaling
Remember, this is all about you.
Do what feels right for you.
Write for yourself
let go of the need for being perfect.
Pick a place you like.
Write any time of the day that feels right to you.
Resist the urge to edit or censor yourself.
If you’re afraid someone will read your journal—keep your journal in a safe place to help you feel comfortable.
Do not be afraid of hearing your truth.
Now here are ten journaling questions/prompts to get you started:
For me, connecting to myself means…
What does self-love mean to me…
How am I feeling right now…
Things I would like to say NO to are…
Things I would like to say YES to are…
Ten things that make me smile are…
What I love most about my life is…
When I’m in pain — physical or emotional — the kindest thing I can do for myself is…
When times get tough, I want to remember that …
If I could change anything about myself, that would be…
Bonus
I feel most in tune with myself when…
Remember there is no right or wrong way to practice journaling—you can make a list in response to the questions, set your timer and write until your timer goes off, or start writing and allow yourself to be guided.
Writing is a form of creative self-expression. It’s a way of communicating with our inner selves. It provides us with clarity and opens the door to realize what our feelings are trying to share with us. It’s a beautiful experience to experience ourselves.
If you missed “What it means to Reconnect with Yourself” read it here.
Comment below: have you ever tried journaling?