Top Journal Prompts for Practicing Mindfulness
Journaling is my mental reprieve!
It helps me destress and practice more mindful living.
I have dozens of journals from over the years. Each one tells different stories from chapters of my life about perseverance, hardships, wins and more. There are many ways to journal - it's all about you and serving your purpose!
Learn about the different ways to journal and my top prompts and ideas for writing.
What is Journaling?
Journaling comes in many different forms.
From traditional writing to art to bullet journaling, there's accessible options for everyone! Journaling doesn't explicitly apply to just writing.
It's to create a healthy outlet and measure of growth that works for you!
Old journals especially help me get through present-day hardships because I can look back and say, "Hey, I've gotten through this before and I can do it again!"
When I feel myself pulling away from my purpose and center, turning to my journal helps me regroup and find my path again. It's a great way to keep track of your goals and stick to them.
Bullet Journaling
This is one of the most popular and trendiest forms of journaling.
If you love adding color and design to your life, you'll enjoy this form of reflection.
Bullet journals are great for removing distraction and focusing on what needs to get done. People use bullet journals for their to-do lists, daily reflections and doodling.
It's a much more aesthetic way of practicing self-awareness!
Art Journaling
Art journaling has less of a focus on written words.
It allows a person to express their current state of emotion through doodles, watercolor, mixed media and other artistic expression. It's a great way to release when you can't find the words to express yourself. Mood boards are a great example of art and visual journaling! You don't have to be Picasso to partake in this method of expression. Do what makes you happy!
Poetic Journaling
I have been writing poetry on and off since I could write.
Sometimes it's hard to express how you're feeling!
Writing in a more poetic form helps me with a more creative release.
Poetry can offer a shorter and more colorful way to describe your day, surroundings and emotions. It can also be a more fun way to write! Poetry writing has helped strengthen my skills over time and express my thoughts in a different way when I can't always find the right words.
Gratitude Journaling
Practicing gratitude helps shift your mindset and change perspective.
This is especially a great way to start your day!
I find it's especially helpful when I'm feeling down and mentally trapped.
There is so much in life to be thankful for! Sometimes, it's easy to get into a rut and negative headspace. This helps prioritize what's truly important and life. It's always better to see the cup half full!
There will always be highs and lows to navigate in life. It's up to us how we deal with those lows and take them in. It's important not to internalize!
Destress Journaling
Whenever I'm stressed and anxious, I write down all the things that are hurting me mentally. Then, I go through those things in a mindful manner to see how I can eliminate or reduce those things in my life.
I deal with chronic pain and stress and anxiety add enormous tension. It's important for me to manage stress more-so than the average person.
This method of journaling helps me feel in control. It allows me to see the playing field from a bird's eye view and promotes an internal locus of control.
Stream of Consciousness Journaling
On days I feel writer's block, I turn to stream of consciousness writing.
It can be redundant and boring but always helps me find some gold nuggets.
Especially if I have a lot going on in my personal life and work, this form of journaling helps me work through problems I might be going through to find resolve and solutions.
Special Life Event Journaling
Honestly, I'm not even sure this is a "real" method but it is to me!
There are often pivotal moments in our life that bring us joy or heartache and it's important to hold on to those memories! It allows for greater self-reflection and self-awareness. It allows you to mark that passage of time and how you were feeling in it to refer back to.
Our memories can be fickle! I will go back and read through past events to find myself laughing or crying - reminding myself of crucial lessons and events that were life-defining.
Top Journal Prompts and Ideas
It can be hard to know where to start when delving into journaling!
Many people have left me messages asking what prompts and ideas I use and how I got started in journaling.
My best advice? Just start!
There are hundreds of prompts out there that can help you get going.
It might not be perfect at first! That's ok! Journaling can also help cure perfectionist behaviors. It's really aided my own personal journey with perfectionism and procrastination.
Prompt for Gratitude Journaling
List three things your grateful for and why!
Prompt for Destress Journaling
What’s weighing on your mind?
List it out in bullet points!
Now, how can you reduce or eliminate those points of mental tension?
Prompt for Manifestation Journaling
Write down your dream as if you’re living it today! This proven to help follow through with your dreams and turn them into reality.
“I love living by the beach!”
“I am so happy in my new home!"
3 comments
This is a wonderful article on the importance of journaling. Thank you for spreading the word!
This is a great article! Thank you for the journaling prompts
My comment is, thanks for this. I use to journal a lot as a teen. I grew up not having much of an outlet but journaling. Journaling would help me be okay with my “emotional” side of things. I was physically and mentally abused by a family member. When I came forward with the abuse, I was ignored and it was swept under the rug. Years went by, and I am not an adult who still struggles with these traumas and recently felt me depending on my relationship for mental relief- which I am now reflecting on this and realizing that it’s not healthy to do.
So I thought about how I use to cope with this back then, and came across my old journals that were stored waaaaaay back in my closet. Reading back on those journals now, makes me so proud of that little girl I use to be. She overcame a lot of obstacles to remind herself SHE IS WORTHY OF LOVE. Regardless of her unfortunate circumstances, journaling saved her life.
Sorry for the long comment lol I just wanted to share that! yes- journaling helps tremendously, It was there for me when no one else was.