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If you’re thinking about starting a journal but aren’t sure where to begin, then these 113 journal prompts for beginners are for you.
It can be daunting to look at a blank page (or screen) and try to figure out what to write about.
That’s why prompts can be so helpful—they give you a specific topic or question to focus on so that you can get your thoughts down without getting too overwhelmed.
Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to worry about writing perfect sentences or using fancy words. Just let yourself be open and honest, and see where your thoughts take you.
Remember, the goal is simply to get rid of anything weighing on your mind so you can move on with your day feeling a little bit lighter.
Oh, and if getting stuck with a blank page in your journal is something you find yourself struggling with often, then why not get tons of inspiration and ideas sent straight to your inbox every month with this Museful Journaling Membership?
It’s jam-packed with resources to help your journal go from slow and boring to inspired and mindful, with heaps of prompts, printables, worksheets, inspirational ideas, seasonal themes, and more. All so you can spend less time waiting for inspiration to strike and more time spent actually journaling.
Now, onto this post’s journal prompts and some tips to help you get started if you’re new! You can use the table of contents below to jump straight to the sections you’re most interested in:
- What Are Journal Prompts?
- Why Should Beginners Use Journal Prompts?
- How to use journal prompts for beginners to get the most out of your writing
- What are some different types of journal prompts?Â
- Final thoughts on using journal prompts for beginners
What Are Journal Prompts?
Journal prompts are simply ideas or topics to write about in a journal. Often, you’ll find them phrased as a question. In contrast, more complicated prompts can include several questions, action points, and sentences grouped together.
You’ll find that journal prompts for beginners can be anything from “What are you grateful for today?” to “Describe a time when you were feeling really low.”
The point of a journal prompt is to help you get started writing, inspire, and keep your journaling practice interesting.
If you’re new, journaling prompts can be a great way to explore different topics and give you a structure for your journaling sessions.
You can use them daily or weekly, and they can be adapted to any level of journaling experience.
So, if you’re looking for a way to jump-start your journaling practice, why not give the journal prompts in the blog post a try?
Why Should Beginners Use Journal Prompts?
Journaling can be a therapeutic and cathartic activity, but it can be hard to know what to write if you’re new. Journal prompts have the benefits of helping you:
- Overcome writer’s block
- Find inspiration
- Be more creative
- Provide structure
- Explore new topics and ideas
- Challenge your thoughts
- Practice self-reflection
- Keep to a specific theme or style of writing
- Increase self-awareness
How to use journal prompts for beginners to get the most out of your writing
Journal prompts are great for getting your creative juices flowing and helping you focus your thoughts. But how do you use them effectively? Here are some tips:
- Take some time to browse different journal prompts until you find ones that speak to you. There are no wrong answers here, so go with whatever feels right.
- Once you’ve selected a few prompts, it’s time to start writing! Don’t worry about making perfect sense or being eloquent; just let the words flow out of you.
- If you get stuck, don’t force it. Sometimes the best thing to do is move on to another prompt and come back later.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. You can try different types of journaling, like stream-of-consciousness writing or listing things that make you happy. The possibilities are endless!
- Find even more journal tips for beginners here for 20 in-depth ideas to help you get the most out of your new habit!
What are some different types of journal prompts?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to types of journal prompts, but here are five popular ones to get you started:
Self-Exploration Or Reflective Journal Prompts
These journal prompts typically focus on self-reflection and ask questions about your personal experiences and thoughts.
For example, you might be asked to reflect on a time when you felt proud of yourself or to identify your biggest fear and why it bothers you.
Reflective journal prompts for beginners are particularly effective to:
- Help you process your thoughts and feelings about events in your life
- Help you identify patterns and triggers for negative emotions
- Discover behaviors or areas of your life you’d like to work on
Here are some examples of self-exploration journal prompts:
- How do you feel today?
- What are three things that are stressing you out right now?
- What are three things that make you happy?
- What would your dream life look like?
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
- Write about a time when you struggled with something. How did you overcome it?
- What are three things that make you unique?
- Who is your biggest role model, and why?
- What do you want to achieve in the next year? In the next five years? In the next ten years?
- Write about a time when you were proud of yourself.
- What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
- What makes you feel happy?
- Write about a time when you faced a challenge. How did you overcome it?
- What are things that make you feel grateful?
- What do you love about your life?
- What is your favorite memory?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What does your perfect day look like?
- Who is someone that you admire, and why?
- How might I approach this situation differently next time?
- What did I learn today?
- Reflect on all the things that have happened in the past year. Write about what you’re thinking and feeling on this day.
Want to start your own self-reflection journal today? Why not try these resources to get started:
- 60 FREE Printable Shadow Work Journal Prompts
- Monthly Journaling Inspiration Straight To Your Inbox
- 14-Day Shadow Work Challenge For Beginners To Jump-Start Your Journey
Goal-Setting Journal Prompts
Goal-setting journal prompts are designed to help you think about your goals in detail and figure out the steps needed to achieve them.
They can help you clarify what you want in life, identify any obstacles along the way, and develop a plan of action.
Goal-setting journal prompts for beginners are particularly effective to:
- Help you stay focused on your goals and track your progress
- Motivate you to keep working towards your goals even when times are tough
- Help you break down your goals into smaller actionable steps
Here are some examples of goal-setting journal prompts:
- What is your biggest goal for this year?
- How will achieving this goal make your life better?
- In what ways do you need to grow in order to reach this goal?
- What challenges or obstacles might you face on the way?
- How could you break down this goal into smaller, achievable tasks?
- What resources do you have available to help you reach this goal?
- What kind of support do you need to stay on track?
- What are the benefits of achieving this goal?
- What is a realistic timeline for achieving this goal?
- How will you measure your progress toward this goal?
- If it doesn’t work out, what other options do you have available?
- What are my hopes and dreams for the future?
- What habits do I need to develop in order to reach my goals?
- What can I learn from past experiences that will help me with my current goals?
- Who are the people who have encouraged and supported me on this journey?
- How can journaling help me achieve my goals?
- What steps am I taking right now to work towards my goals?
- What do I need to let go of in order to move forward with my goals?
- How can I stay motivated while working on achieving my goals?
Want to start your own goal-setting journal today? Why not try these resources to get started:
- 11 Goal Setting Printable Planner Pages
- 69 Smart Journal Prompts For Goal Setting To Kick Start Your Plans In 2023
- 61 Getting Things Done Affirmations For Goals & Work Productivity
Gratitude journal prompts
Gratitude journaling is all about finding joy in the small moments and expressing gratitude for what you have.
Writing down your gratitude can remind you of the many blessings that life offers, even when times are hard.
Gratitude journal prompts for beginners are particularly effective to:
- Help you cultivate an attitude of thankfulness and appreciation
- Bring more joy into your life by focusing on the positive
- Remind you of big and small blessings in your life
Here are some examples of gratitude journal prompts:
- What is something that made me smile recently?
- Who are the people in my life that I’m thankful for?
- What are the small things in life that I appreciate?
- What memories bring me joy?
- When was the last time I felt truly blessed?
- What do I value most in my life?
- How can I show appreciation for others around me?
- How have I grown as a person this year?
- What is something special about today that I am thankful for?
- How have I been blessed this week?
- What are three things I can be grateful for right now?
- What do I appreciate about nature or the outdoors?
- Who is someone I can thank today?
- What are three things you’re grateful for today?
- What was the best part of your day?
- Write about a time when you felt really supported by someone else.
- No matter how bad your day is going, what can you always be grateful for?
Want to start your own gratitude journal today? Why not try these resources to get started:
- 30-Day Gratitude Journal you can easily print at home
- 57 Daily Gratitude Journal Prompts For Thought-Provoking Inspiration
- 18 Game-Changing Tips For Gratitude Journaling
- Digital Gratitude Journal Using Notion With 100 Prompts + 100 Affirmations
Mindfulness journal prompts
Mindfulness journaling helps to bring awareness to your thoughts and feelings and cultivate a sense of peace and calm.
Writing down your experiences around mindfulness can help you gain clarity on the present moment, cope with stress more effectively, and find inner stillness.
Mindfulness journal prompts for beginners are particularly effective to:
- Help you observe your thoughts without judgment
- Gain a better understanding of yourself and your emotions
- Train your mind to be more present in the moment
- Reduce stress levels and anxiety symptoms
Here are some examples of mindfulness journal prompts:
- What thought patterns have been on my mind lately?
- How am I reacting to the current situation?
- What sensations am I experiencing in my body?
- 5. What can I do to bring more peace and harmony into my life?
- What would it take to be more mindful of my thoughts and feelings?
- How can I bring more balance into my life?
- What emotions am I struggling with right now?
- What actions can I take today to practice self-care?
- How could I respond differently to difficult situations?
- What perspective can I take to make sense of my current situation?
- What can I do to be more accepting of the present moment?
- How am I feeling right now in this moment?
- How can journaling help me become more mindful of my thoughts and emotions?
- How could I approach this differently with more compassion and understanding?
- What is one simple thing I can do right now to take care of myself?
- What are the most important things in life that bring me joy?
- What would make this moment feel more peaceful or calm?
- What is something that I can appreciate in this moment?
- How have I been kind to myself today?
- In what ways can I show more self-love and compassion?
- What can I do to make today a little better?
- How am I doing in taking care of my physical and mental health?
- What is the best way for me to relax right now?
Want to start your own mindfulness-focused journal today? Why not try these resources to get started:
- Printable Positive Affirmation Cards & Stickers
- How To Make An Affirmation Journal For Maximum Positivity In 7 Simple Steps
- 53 Self-Affirmations For Self-Esteem Building & Inner Growth
- 81 Self-Love Affirmations To Empower You Every Day
Creative journal prompts
Creative journaling is all about exploring your creative side and igniting your imagination. These prompts are designed to help you explore new ideas and discover hidden talents you may not have known existed.
Creative journal prompts for beginners are particularly effective to:
- Unleashing your creativity, whether it’s writing, art, or crafts
- Exploring your mind and thoughts for insight and inspiration
- Foster self-expression and explore new ideas
- Uncover hidden talents and gifts
- Encourages self-expression
Here are some examples of creative journal prompts:
- What would it look like if I could create something out of thin air?
- If I could be anything, what would it be?
- How can I express my creativity today?
- What would the world look like if I painted it?
- What would be the most amazing thing I could create with my hands?
- If I had a superpower, what would it be, and how would I use it?
- What does my dream world look like?
- How can I tap into my imaginative side to come up with new ideas?
- What is something I would like to try that I haven’t done before?
- If I could make a wish come true, what would it be?
- How can I bring my ideas to life in a creative way?
- What might happen if I let myself dream freely and without limits?
- What are the steps necessary to turn my ideas into reality?
- What can I create that would make the world a better place?
- What colors and shapes best represent me and why?
- How can I use art to express my feelings and emotions?
- What is something creative I can do today to nurture my soul?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
- Write a short story about a character who is dealing with something difficult in their life.
- Draw a picture or write a poem about your favorite memory.
- Write a letter to your future self expressing how proud you are of how far you’ve come.
- If you could have dinner with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you order?
- Make up a recipe for your dream food.
- Design an outfit for your favorite character in a movie or TV show.
- Create a playlist of songs that make you feel powerful and alive.
- Brainstorm ideas for your dream business or project. Include everything from what the business would do to what its aesthetic would be like.
- Would you rather have the ability to read people’s minds or be able to fly? Why?
- If you could speak with anyone living or dead, who would it be?
- If you could have one wish, what would it be?
- You wake up to find yourself in a strange place. You don’t recognize your surroundings, and you can’t remember how you got there. Write about what happens next.
- You’re at a museum, and you stumble upon a painting that seems oddly familiar. You can’t quite place it, but you’re sure you’ve seen it before. Write about the painting and your reaction to it.
Want to start your own creative journal today? Why not try these resources to get started:
Final thoughts on using journal prompts for beginners
All in all, these are just a few ideas to get you started. If none of these strike your fancy, don’t worry. There are endless journal prompts out there, so take some time to explore until you find ones that work for you.
Some other journal prompts that are beginner-friendly you could try are:
- 57 Daily Gratitude Journal Prompts For Thought-Provoking Inspiration
- 60 Deep Shadow Work Journal Prompts For Healing & Growth + Free Printable
Once you get into the habit of journaling, you’ll likely find the ideas flowing more easily. Give it a try – you may be surprised at how therapeutic journaling can be!
Happy journaling!
