Journal prompts
Journaling can be a great coping skill to add to your daily routine. Read further for prompts.
Journaling is wonderful and one of the easiest coping skills to implement in your life for better overall mental health. There is no wrong way to do it. You can use prompts or write a stream of consciousness. I recommend starting once a day and you can choose what time of day works best for you. I prefer writing at night as a summation of events, thoughts, and feelings I had throughout the day.
Below I have written journal prompts that I find to be most effective when focusing on mental health. I also have included prompts based on the seasons and moon cycles. When we are searching for writing inspiration, it can be helpful to look up the moon phase or use the current season to point us in a direction of focus. Good luck on your journaling journey!
Basic Prompts:
What are your intentions for the day?
What are you grateful for now that the day is done?
What are your goals for the week ahead?
What emotions were you feeling throughout the day?
(Break it down by hour if you need to).
Did something stressful happen today? Write about it.
Did something amazing happen today? Write about it.
What would your adult self say to your child self?
What would your younger self say to your present self?
Using the moon phases as inspiration: Short term goals
New Moon: The sky is dark. This is a time for transformation, setting goals, and making a fresh start for the month ahead.
Waning Moon: The moon’s visibly is intensifying. A great time to focus on setting goals for abundance.
Full Moon: The moon is bright! A time for celebration and gratitude! How can you practice self care right now?
Waxing Moon: The moon grows darker. A time to release things and emotions that are no longer serving you.
Using the seasons as inspiration: Long term goals
Spring: A time for rebirth and renewal. What goals do you have? What do you want to see happen this year? Release the darkness of winter. Spring clean your life and plant seeds of growth!
Summer: Days lengthen and we have more energy to set our goals in motion. What goals did you write down in Spring? Now is the time to execute them! How will you tend to the seeds you planted?
Autumn: A time to celebrate the fruits of our labor. You’ve set goals, and you’ve made efforts to accomplish them. Now is the time to harvest them. Practice gratitude and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Winter: Nights grow longer and the time for inner work begins. Look back on the past year and review your experiences, both good and bad. What will you take with you into the new year and what will you leave behind?
Rachel Tice, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor in NJ and Florida
www.NewMoonCounseling.LLC
