Starting a journal is exciting! Writing in a journal can help bring you mental clarity and can help you grow. When you first place the pen on paper, words may flow easily or they may not. If you need a little bit of help getting started, then these journal prompts for self-discovery will be great for you! Keep in mind that journaling is powerful because it is personal. Allow your thoughts to run free and do your best to not hold back!

Self-discovery is about peeling back the layers you have shielding your vulnerability and learning what you value. It helps you better see your authentic character.

Vulnerability is beautiful! Yeah, it’s a cliche but it is true – it is what makes us human. To see your vulnerability, you must dive deep and uncover your innermost thoughts and emotions. A lot of us do this by talking to other people about things that worry us, frustrate us, or stress us out but sometimes it is more effective to put these things down on paper. Journaling is great for that exact reason. At any stage of your day, you can take a moment to pull out your journal and jot down passing thoughts.

Understanding why and what you value in life is also very important. The journal prompts listed below will help give clarity to your journey of self-discovery. You will further discover who you are, what you value, and the emotions you experience.

Try these 60+ journal prompts for self-discovery:

Here are 4 categories of journal prompts to help keep you focused on different aspects of life in your journey of self-discovery:

Relationships

Here are some relationship-related journal prompts for self-discovery:

• What is it that you value most in your relationships?
• Write down 5 things you appreciate most about your current relationships.
• Take a moment to note down 3 frustrations you have about any of your relationships.
• Have you noticed how the people around you are affecting your mood lately? Delve into those feelings.
• What energy do you gather energy from your relationships?
• Understand your social battery: Do you feel easily drained from social interactions? How could you improve your social battery? What kinds of social interactions are more draining? How do you recharge your social battery when it is drained?
• Are you happy with your friendships? What do you want to improve in your friendships?
• How would you describe your romantic relationship(s) in life right now?
• How well do you feel connected to your partner at the moment and why…
• How is your relationship with your parents? Have you spoken to them recently?
• Have you got many social events coming up? How are you feeling about them?
• Write down 1 thing a friend has done to make you happy and 1 thing a friend has done to make you sad this year.
• List the 3 most important people in your life. Next to their names, write down their key qualities you are grateful for.
• Do your relationships in life feel balanced? Are you receiving what you are giving?
• How would you describe your relationship with yourself?

Positive thoughts & attitudes.

Here are some journal prompts to explore your positive thoughts and encourage self-discovery:

• What has brought a smile to your face today?
• Show your gratitude! Jot down 3 things you are the most grateful for in life.
• When you have an off day, it is great to turn it on its head and do something to make you feel energised! What do you do to make yourself feel alive?
• How do you show compassion to yourself day-to-day?
• What are your three most favourite traits you recognise in yourself?
• How would your closest friends and family describe you? How would you like them to describe you?
• Write down 4 ways you can be kinder to yourself. How might you start implementing these into your life?
• When is the last time laughter brought tears to your eyes? Recount that memory.
• Have you laughed aloud today? If the answer is yes, what made you laugh? If the answer is no, how can you guarantee a laugh by the end of today?
• What is good in your life right now that you need more of?
• What is your most recent achievement? Big or small!
• If you asked your best friend what your best quality was, what would they say?
• Go take a look in the mirror – If you were a stranger to the person in the reflection, how would you compliment them?
• Has there been a quote you have heard or read recently that has stuck in your mind? What is that quote, and why has it stuck in your mind? What does it mean to you?
• Write a list of 5 things or people that motivate you in life! Why do these people or things motivate you?
• What has made you feel inspired today? What inspires you in life?
• Which hobby of yours brings you the most joy and why is it that particular hobby?
• Describe what you do to make yourself feel relaxed and at peace in times of stress.
• Describe what you most love about your home.
• Write a list of 10 places you have been to that you have a fond memory attached to. Describe some of those memories.
• Have you got 3 things you are doing or planning to do to improve your mental health? What are those 3 things? Write down your plan.

Recognising & combatting negative thoughts.

Here are some journal prompts to help self-discovery through exploring negative thoughts and situations:

• Are you feeling overwhelmed today? When you do feel overwhelmed, what is your approach to dealing with it?
• Have you had any arguments with friends or family members lately? What happened? How have the arguments made you feel? How do you plan to resolve them if you haven’t already?
• Has there been any events lately that have made you feel sad, angry or worried? Describe these situations and the feelings that have come about. You could even talk about how you dealt with those emotions.
• Is there anything you fear in life? Why is it that these things make you feel uncomfortable?
• Write down 2 fears you have and try write a plan as to how you can overcome these fears.
• Which parts of life are causing you the most stress at the moment?
• Are you frustated with yourself for any reason? If so, how can you grow from recognising the frustrations.
• Take a look in the mirror and have your journal at the ready – Are there any traits of yours that you don’t like? Write down what they are and how this makes you feel. Then, to counter-act the negative emotion, list 5 traits you DO like and why.
• What is one toxic habit you have that you recognise is bringing you down? Write down a habit you would like to replace this with?
• List 3 negative emotions you have experienced this week. What has caused you to feel these emotions?
• List 3 ways you deal with negative emotions and stress. Are there any new strategies you could develop to overcome these emotions?
• What strategy do you use to pick yourself up when you feel emotionally run down?
• Have you been feeling anxious for any reason this year? Explain how your anxiety effects you.
• Is there a decision you have made in life that you regret? How does this effect you today?
• Who do you turn to when you are feeling down? Why is it that you trust them and seek comfort in them?

Goals & aspirations

Here are some journal prompts relating to goals and aspirations that will help you in your self-discovery journey:

• How do you see yourself at your full potential? What can you do to make yourself feel closer to reaching your full potential?
• What is motivating and supporting you in your life? List 5 things or people that help motivate you to be at your best and support you along the way.
• When you feel discouraged, how would you go about seeking motivation?
• Are your goals reflecting what you genuinely hope for in life or are your goals reflecting someone else’s hopes for you?
• Write down 3 personal life goals you want to achieve (e.g. travel to Spain for a summer). How might you achieve these goals? Write yourself a plan.
• Write down 3 career goals you want to achieve (e.g. be promoted to a managerial position for your company)
• What 3 things would you like to accomplish with your partner this year?
• List a few key obstacles that will potentially get in the way of you achieving any existing goals. Then make a game plan as to how you will overcome these obstacles.
• Life always has its ups and downs but there are always things we can take control of! How do you plan to increase the frequency of ups and limit the frequency of downs in your future?
• Is there a role model in your life you aspire to be like? Who are they? Why are they your role model?
• Name one friend you have lost touch with or that you would like to get to know better. Make a plan to allow you to grow closer to this friend.
• List 10 habits you would like to grow to help achieve your personal development goals
• List 5 hobbies you would be interested in trying out! Next to these hobbies, write down the reason for your interest.
• How do you see your life turning out in the future? Describe the picture you have in your mind.
• Imagine you are 90 years old. Answer these 4 questions as your 90 year old self: Are you happy with your life and why? How did you make sure you lived such a good life? What were important things in your life that you will forever treasure? What is one piece of advice that changed your life?
• Imagine you are talking to your younger self. What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self? If you could stop your younger self from doing one thing, what would it be? If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be?

There you have it! These journal prompts will be the first steps in your journey to discover your true self. Happy journaling!