There are no rules when it comes to journaling–especially your own journal.
You can write about anything and everything that comes to mind. But if you’re looking for some ideas of things to get started, here are 65 topics to consider writing about in your journal. From reflecting on your day-to-day experiences to exploring your thoughts and feelings on certain topics, to documenting memories and moments from your life, these prompts will give you a range of things to explore and write about.
So grab a notebook and pen, and get started!
What things should you write about in a journal?
- What you are grateful for today
- Your top 3 favorite things from today
- A highlight from your day
- The high and low of your day and what you’re looking forward to
- An obstacle or challenge you faced today and how you overcame it
- What you learned today
- Your thoughts on today’s news or current events
- The best thing that happened this week
- The worst thing that happened this week
- A goal for the upcoming week
- Write about an experience or event from your childhood
- A dream you had last night
- Your thoughts on love and relationships
- What “success” means to you
- How you define happiness
- Your personal definition of “peace”
- What you want to achieve in life
- What you hope for your children
- Your spiritual beliefs or practices
- A favorite quote or saying of mine
- Your thoughts on aging and growing older
- How you want to be remembered when you die
- What you’re most proud of about myself
- What intimidates you the most about life
- A snapshot of your life at this moment (Bored? Content? Looking forward to something?)
- Your hopes and fears for the future
- The things you want to change about myself
- Your favorite things in the world
- What brings you joy
- Your favorite memories
- What you would do with a time machine
- A day in the life of a different person (celebrity, historical figure, etc.)
- Your ideal day
- The things you’re most grateful for in my life
- Why you love yourself
- Things you’re grateful for today
- Things that made you happy today
- Things you did during the day
- Things you want to remember from the day
- Things you’re looking forward to tomorrow
- Goals for tomorrow or for the near future
- What went well today and why
- Things that didn’t go so well today and why
- Things you’re struggling with right now
- Things that make me happy
- Things that sadden you
- Things that scare you
- Things that make you feel hopeful
- Things that you’re proud of
- A letter to your future self
- Things you want to do before I die
- Things that inspire me
- Things that make you feel creative
- Things that make me feel angry
- Things that make you feel loved
- Things that make you laugh the hardest
- Things you wish you could go back to and change
- Things about yourself that you like and things you don’t like
- Things that are unique about you
- Dreams and goals for five years from now and ten years from now
- Write a thank-you note to a friend
- Write about a time you were really proud of yourself
- Write about a time you were really sad
- Write about your favorite things that you own
- Write an apology letter to someone you’ve hurt
There are countless reasons why you should keep a journal. Here are just a few:
- Journaling can help improve your mental health.
- It can help you process emotions and work through difficult times.
- Journaling can help you track your progress and growth over time.
- It’s a great way to document your life and keep track of memories.
Sometimes it can be hard to come up with things to write about. That’s why we’ve put together the above list of ideas for things you can write about in your journal.