100 Inspiring Journaling Prompts

Sometimes the best way to figure out who you are is to get to that place where you don't have to be anything else.Journaling provides us with a necessary outlet for our personal thoughts and feelings. It reminds us to validate and acknowledge them as being important enough to write down and examine. As the words flow from the pen, they are released from being harbored inside where self-discovery can be more difficult.A journal's purpose is best served when it is written for you and you alone. The most effective way to journal is to write freely, knowing that no one else will ever see it unless you invite them to. Oftentimes we write for a perceived audience. We consider our words too carefully, lest they be judged by others or for fear of hurting someone's feelings. If we are to truly know ourselves, we should write candidly, openly, and without fear of reprisal.Here are 100 inspiring journaling prompts that should help you on your path to writing your truth. No excuses! So, pick up a pen and get to work. Start writing. And don't stop until there is nothing left. Your life story -as you see it- is waiting to be told.1. Define your personal style.2. Describe a time when you were brave.3. What does being a friend means to you?4. I wish everyone had___...5. Your idea of a perfect day.6. In what ways do you consider yourself to be quirky?7. How do you feel about loneliness?8. Your favorite childhood memory.9. Someone whose life is better because they knew you? Why?10. Ten things you hold most dear.11. Describe LOVE using all five senses.12. Someone that you are keeping in your life for their sake, not yours.13. Something you have been avoiding and why.14. A goal you've been putting off. What's stopping you?15. Who is someone you admire? Why?16. Someone who has profoundly affected you.17. I secretly wish I ___...18. Your biggest fear & how to conquer it.19. Who do you need to forgive? Why?20. Your bucket list.21. Something about yourself that you're most proud of.22. What role do you play in your family?23. Something seemingly out of your reach.24. How do you feel you are perceived by others?25. What's your favorite color and why?Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face. -Carol Mosely-Brown26. The three things you are most grateful for today.27. Write a letter to your parents, spouse, children.28. Describe what feeling safe means to you.29. Three words to describe your life.30. Something you have always felt was missing in your life.31. Do you feel lovable?32. Some things that you'd like to hear right now.33. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be and why?34. What lessons did you take from your regrets?35. Describe your dream home.36. Your most embarrassing moment.37. Your proudest moment.38. Describe a failure that turned out to be a blessing.39. Your interpretation of a recent dream.40. Something you want people to know about you.41. Something you don't want people to know about you.42. What's your favorite song and why?43. Someone who is not in your life as often as you would wish and why.44. What characteristics do you judge the most harshly in others?45. What characteristics do you judge the most harshly in yourself?46. Describe a time you felt courageous.47. Your most satisfying victory.48. Your most agonizing defeat.49. Write a letter to someone who hurt you that you will never send. Just to get it out of your heart & mind.50. How do you want to be remembered after you die?We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be. -Jane Austen51. How would your life be different if you felt comfortable being yourself at all times?52. Describe 'a beginning' that impacted you.53. Describe a situation in which it was 'the end' of something for you.54. What do you believe is your life purpose?55. Describe the kindest thing you have ever done for someone.56. Something you did to someone that you have trouble forgiving yourself for.57. Describe how you felt when you visited your grandparent's house as a child.58. A gift you gave someone that you were most proud of.59. Write a letter you would like read at your funeral.60. What does forgiveness mean to you?61. What type of person makes you feel inferior?62. Three characteristics you would like to possess.63. What are some things you can do this week that you can be proud of?64. Describe a time when you made someone's day.65. I wish people would___...66. Some things you take for granted and why?67. What would the title of your biography be and why?68. Some things you noticed today that you had been missing all along?69. What room in your home best reflects who you are and why?70. When you give do you eventually expect something in return?71. Is your destiny formed by choice or chance? Explain.72. If you could go back and do it again, at what age would you like to begin from?73. List five non-materialistic things you would like to have right now.74. What area of your life needs the most growth and how are you working on that?75. Something you could invent to make the world a better place.Accept everything about yourself - I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end - no apologies, no regrets. -Henry Kissinger76. What things about yourself do you feel that someone who just met you would like?77. Something you have been meaning to do and have been putting off. Why?78. What era do you feel you would have most comfortably belonged living in?79. Who is your hero and why?80. If money were no object what gifts would you give to three people in your life?81. Describe your sense of humor.82. Describe the process you go through when you are planning to buy something expensive for yourself.83. Write a letter to God.84. What's your definition of family?85. What do you feel most guilty about? Why haven't you been able to forgive yourself?86. Write a letter to your past.87. What emotion dominates you life lately?88. If you could change one thing about your life what would it be and why?89. What positive, life-affirming aspects do you carry with you every day?90. Take a crack at writing a poem!91. Write a fairytale starring you.92. A time you acted without thinking and its impact on you and others.93. What if you were granted three wishes?94. A goal you're working towards and your progress so far.95. What things in your life do you truly enjoy vs. tolerate?96. What are your three largest priorities?97. Something in your past that needs letting go of.98. Some things you do daily that you don't enjoy and why? Can they be re-evaluated, delegated or eliminated?99. How do you feel about commitment in general?100. Write a sincere letter to someone you need to forgive. Even if it's yourself.Got any other favorite journaling prompts? Share them in the comments below.