Do you need some inspiration to start journaling? If so, your going to love our list of journal prompts for self discovery. You’ve probably read about the benefits of journaling. Or maybe you have a friend who swears by it and promises it’s life-changing.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been inspired many times before and purchased notebook after notebook, hoping the next one will be the one that motivates you to start a journaling practice. And then, that notebook sits in your drawer like all of the others, untouched except for when you use it as scrap paper or for a grocery list.
There’s no doubt that a journaling practice is one of the keys to changing your life. A self discovery journal can help you reflect on your goals, hold yourself accountable, and uncover your true self. Who wouldn’t want that (and for free, too!)?
But not everybody can just sit down with a blank journal, reflect, and pour out thousands of words. If that’s you, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Use these journal prompts for self discovery as a guide whenever you want to dive deeper into self discovery or when you are drawing a blank.
The benefits of a self discovery journal
So what exactly is a self discovery journal, you might be wondering? And why should you start one? Journaling, in general, is an excellent way to take a pause, reflect, and have a space to share your most intimate thoughts and feelings.
A self discovery journal is a way to learn about yourself and uncover thoughts you might not even know you had. Here are just a few of the many ways starting a self discovery journal can help change your life:
1. Organize your thoughts
Do you ever feel scattered or like you have nowhere to store all of your thoughts? Nothing is better for a racing mind than journaling. Getting your thoughts down on paper lets you see things clearer and through a new lens.
Self discovery journaling, in particular, can help you organize the thoughts and ideas you didn’t even realize you had.
2. Express yourself in a safe space
Is there anything that you think or say to yourself that you would never share with anyone else? Instead of keeping that bottled up, journaling gives you the chance to share things you don’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone else because it’s a totally judgment-free zone.
3. Release stress and improve health
The benefits of journaling include mental and physical health benefits. Not only is journaling a proven stress-reducer but it also has even been shown to strengthen the immune system and decrease the symptoms of other health conditions.
4. Discover your true and authentic self
Lastly, if you want to discover (or rediscover) your true and authentic self, there’s no better way to do this than through self discovery journaling. If you’ve lost yourself a bit, journaling is a way to figure out your true desires and dreams and find your voice again.
How to use the self discovery prompts
So, the prompts below are all meant to get you thinking about and reflecting on the most important person in your life – you! You can work your way through the list, choose a particular category to focus on, or pick prompts out randomly.
There’s no right or wrong way to use this list. Instead, use it as a guide to help you on your self discovery journey. To get the most out of your practice, try to choose at least one prompt to write about every day. This way, you’ll get in the habit of working on yourself, and you’ll see changes come about sooner rather than later.
Top 60 journal prompts for self discovery
Are you ready to dive in? Here is the top 60 journal prompts for self discovery in the categories of self-worth and confidence, finding your purpose, relationships, strengths and weaknesses, gratitude, acceptance, and, our favorite here at Clever Girl Finance, financial wellness!
Journal prompts for self-worth and confidence
Are you struggling with confidence or self-worth? Here are some journal prompts for self discovery that will help you boost your confidence and feel good about being you!
1. What are you proud of yourself for?
2. What makes you unique?
3. Write a list of things you can do on a daily basis that make you feel great. (Then, work to incorporate them into your daily routine!)
4. What challenges have you faced and overcome?
5. What do you love about your body? Your mind? Your personality?
6. When during your life did you feel the most confident? Reflect on that version of yourself and what (if anything) is different now.
7. Do you celebrate your successes? Reflect on your accomplishments and whether you give yourself credit for these successes.
8. Create a list of ten compliments to give yourself each morning or when you need a reminder of your worth.
9. Imagine the most confident version of yourself. What does she look like? How does she act? How does she carry herself and engage in the world?
Journal prompts for finding your purpose
These prompts will help you find your purpose if you are feeling a bit lost.
10. How do you want to be remembered?
11. How do you picture yourself in ten years? Twenty years? The end of your life?
12. What problems do you wish you could solve?
13. What would you do with your time if money were no obstacle?
14. What are your personal core values?
15. What are your unique talents and abilities?
16. What did you love to do as a child?
17. When do you feel most alive? What excites you?
Journal prompts for relationships
Whether you’re drifting apart from friends or trying to find the love of your life, use these prompts in your self discovery journal to reveal what you truly want and who is the most important to you.
18. What qualities do you look for in a friend? In a romantic partner?
19. Who are the most important people in your life?
20. Who do you miss?
21. If you were stranded on a deserted island with just one person, who would you want that to be and why?
22. Have you ever had your heart broken? How did you heal?
23. Do you believe in soulmates? In love at first sight?
24. How do you feel when you are alone?
25. Do you hold grudges, or do you easily forgive?
26. What does good communication in a relationship look like to you?
27. Who can be your true self around?
Journal prompts for strengths and weaknesses
These are the best journal prompts for self discovery that will help you determine your strengths and weaknesses.
28. What things are you better at than most other people?
29. Do you have any skills that surprise others when they learn about them?
30. What was the last big issue or problem you faced, and how did you solve it?
31. What is holding you back?
32. What do you wish you could change about yourself?
33. What talents or qualities in yourself do you want to cultivate? What kind of support do you need to accomplish this?
34. Describe a time where your weakness held you back from reaching a goal. What could you change to help you reach that goal next time?
Journal prompts for gratitude
Don’t forget to make room in your self discovery journal for gratitude. Learning how to appreciate the little things can bring you much joy!
35. What is something you are grateful for today that you didn’t use to have?
36. What simple pleasures are you grateful for?
37. What about your body are you grateful for?
38. Describe a friend you are grateful for.
39. What mentors or teachers are you grateful for having had in your life?
40. What cheers you up when you feel down?
41. Write a thank-you note (you don’t have to send it unless you want to) to someone who helped you reach a goal.
Journal prompts for acceptance
Accepting yourself and showing yourself love is important to your well-being. Here are some prompts to encourage acceptance. Be sure to check out our list of self-love affirmations too:
42. What does your inner critic tell you? Why is she wrong?
43. Do you ever feel like an imposter?
44. Is there anything you want to change about yourself? If so, can you accept that and love that part, even if you want to change it?
45. Is it hard or easy for you to accept compliments?
46. Do you have any feelings of unworthiness?
47. What is blocking you from loving yourself fully?
48. Do you feel like you deserve love? Deserve to be happy? Deserve to have everything in life you want? If not, why not?
49. Write down ten things you love about yourself.
Journal prompts for financial wellness
Work on your financial wellness and get your money right with these excellent prompts:
50. What does having “enough” money mean to you? What does being “rich” or “wealthy” mean to you?
51. How do you feel about money? How would you like to feel about money?
52. What is your money story?
53. Do you have any negative emotions around money?
54. What would you do with a no-strings-attached gift of $1,000? How about $100,000?
55. How do you talk to your friends, family, and partner about money?
56. What do you want your finances to look like in five years? Ten years?
57. What could you start doing today to improve your finances?
58. When you think about the future, how do you picture yourself during retirement?
59. What do you wish you understood more about money? How could you educate yourself about it?
60. What are your current financial goals?
Start using these journal prompts for self discovery today!
There you have it – 60 journal prompts for self discovery. Grab one of those unused notebooks you’re sure to have lying around (we all have one!) and make today the day you start a self discovery journal practice.
You can also include your financial goals in your journal to keep you motivated towards financial success! Learn how to create the perfect financial goals with our completely free course!
Also, be sure to follow Clever Girl Finance on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube, for top financial tips and motivation to get your money right!
