Self-Reflection Journal Prompts

Self-reflection prompts ask bigger questions than "how was my day". They are useful when you feel stuck, before a decision, or simply when you want to understand yourself a little better.

Take your time with these. It is fine to answer one prompt over several days, and it is fine if your answer changes the next time you come back to it.

Each prompt below has a Write about this link: it opens a new private entry with the prompt as its title, so you can start writing straight away.

Values

• What three words describe the person I want to be? Write about this: What three words describe the person I want to be? →
• When did I last act completely in line with my values? Write about this: When did I last act completely in line with my values? →
• What do I care about that I rarely talk about? Write about this: What do I care about that I rarely talk about? →
• Which of my beliefs has changed in the last few years? Write about this: Which of my beliefs has changed in the last few years? →
• What would I stand up for even if nobody agreed with me? Write about this: What would I stand up for even if nobody agreed with me? →
• What does success mean to me, in my own words? Write about this: What does success mean to me, in my own words? →
• Where am I spending time on things I do not actually value? Write about this: Where am I spending time on things I do not actually value? →
• What would my ideal ordinary Tuesday look like? Write about this: What would my ideal ordinary Tuesday look like? →

Habits

• Which habit gives me the most, for the least effort? Write about this: Which habit gives me the most, for the least effort? →
• Which habit do I keep meaning to change, and what keeps it in place? Write about this: Which habit do I keep meaning to change, and what keeps it in place? →
• What do I reach for when I am bored, stressed or tired? Write about this: What do I reach for when I am bored, stressed or tired? →
• How do I usually spend the first and last hour of my day? Write about this: How do I usually spend the first and last hour of my day? →
• What would I do more often if it took half the effort? Write about this: What would I do more often if it took half the effort? →
• Which routine from my past do I miss? Write about this: Which routine from my past do I miss? →
• What tiny habit could I start this week? Write about this: What tiny habit could I start this week? →
• How do I know when I need rest, and do I listen? Write about this: How do I know when I need rest, and do I listen? →

Relationships

• Who do I feel completely at ease with, and why? Write about this: Who do I feel completely at ease with, and why? →
• Which relationship needs more attention from me? Write about this: Which relationship needs more attention from me? →
• What do people usually come to me for? Write about this: What do people usually come to me for? →
• What do I find hard to ask other people for? Write about this: What do I find hard to ask other people for? →
• How do I behave when I disagree with someone I care about? Write about this: How do I behave when I disagree with someone I care about? →
• Who has shaped the way I see the world? Write about this: Who has shaped the way I see the world? →
• What kind of friend am I at my best? Write about this: What kind of friend am I at my best? →
• Is there a boundary I need to set or keep? Write about this: Is there a boundary I need to set or keep? →

Growth

• How have I changed in the past year? Write about this: How have I changed in the past year? →
• What is something I used to be afraid of and no longer am? Write about this: What is something I used to be afraid of and no longer am? →
• What mistake taught me the most? Write about this: What mistake taught me the most? →
• What feedback have I received more than once? Write about this: What feedback have I received more than once? →
• What am I avoiding learning because it feels uncomfortable? Write about this: What am I avoiding learning because it feels uncomfortable? →
• Which part of my life feels most alive right now? Write about this: Which part of my life feels most alive right now? →
• What would my younger self be surprised by today? Write about this: What would my younger self be surprised by today? →
• What do I want to be true about me in five years? Write about this: What do I want to be true about me in five years? →

Feeling stuck

• What decision am I putting off, and what am I waiting for? Write about this: What decision am I putting off, and what am I waiting for? →
• If I knew I could not fail, what would I try? Write about this: If I knew I could not fail, what would I try? →
• What story am I telling myself that might not be true? Write about this: What story am I telling myself that might not be true? →
• What would I advise a friend in my situation to do? Write about this: What would I advise a friend in my situation to do? →
• What is the smallest step forward I can take? Write about this: What is the smallest step forward I can take? →
• What am I holding on to that I could let go of? Write about this: What am I holding on to that I could let go of? →
• Who could I talk to about this? Write about this: Who could I talk to about this? →
• What would change if I stopped trying to be perfect at this? Write about this: What would change if I stopped trying to be perfect at this? →

What an answer can look like

Three words for who I want to be: steady, curious, generous. Honestly, this month I have been mostly tired and a bit defensive. Not a judgement, just data. Curious would mean asking more questions in meetings instead of preparing my answer.

That's it: a few honest lines. Nobody grades a diary.

Tips for using journal prompts

• One prompt is enough. Answering a single prompt well beats skimming five.
• Set a small limit. Five minutes or three sentences keeps it easy to start.
• Be specific. Names, places and details make entries worth rereading.
• Keep it private. You write more honestly when you know nobody else will read it. How Ediary keeps entries private.