Are you using these 24 critical journaling prompts for mental health?
Hey Mamas!
Writing in a journal can be a great way to look inside your head and find out how you’re feeling. It’s like having a conversation with yourself, but on paper.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of journaling prompts. Including different approaches to journaling, the benefits of journaling, and some specific prompts we recommend for mental health issues. There’s even a FREE 24 Critical Prompts for Mental Health download below!
Let’s dive in.
What are Journaling Prompts?
Journaling prompts are questions or topics to write about, which can help you focus on, and organize, your thoughts. They serve as a starting point for your writing, allowing you to dive deeper into a topic rather than simply “write about what’s on your mind today.”
These prompts can also be a way to get to know yourself better, and even help you make decisions.
Journaling prompts are also a great way to get started journaling if you don’t know where to begin. Or they can help you continue and deepen your practice; even if you’ve been doing it for years.
I recommend using them congruently with any type of journal or notebook. You don’t need to run out and purchase anything fancy! Keep it simple. We recommend Starry Sky Journal, Paperpage Journal, and Green Tree Journal.
The Benefits of Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
There are multiple benefits of journaling prompts for mental health! First, journaling prompts for mental health are a great way to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or any other mental health issue, writing in a journal can help you feel more connected to yourself.
Second, journaling prompts for mental health can be an effective way to increase mindfulness, productivity, creativity, resilience, presence and self-awareness.By keeping a record of your daily experiences and emotions, it becomes easier to recognize when something triggers an emotion within yourself. Once you recognize what causes certain emotions within yourself, it is much easier for you to handle these situations when they come up again in the future!
This is because when we use journaling prompts to write about what is happening in our lives, whether it’s good or bad, it helps us reframe the situations by putting words on paper. Writing our feelings allows us to reflect on those feelings without having to deal with them at that moment in time. This can help us see if there are any patterns or trends in how we react to certain events or situations. When they occur again later on we can change our behavior accordingly.
Different Journaling Approaches
As you begin your journaling journey, you might wonder what approach is best.
There are 4 fundamental ways to journal, and each one can be helpful in its own way:
- Lined paper is the classic approach for most people. You can write whatever you want on the lines, whether it’s your life story or a list of goals for the day.
- Blank books give you more creative freedom to use any kind of pen or marker to draw pictures or add stickers and other decorations. They’re also great if you prefer art over writing! Just think of all the fun things you could do with colored pencils!
- Spiral notebooks come in handy when you’re out and about, because they’re easy to carry around with no risk of spilling ink onto clothing or other items (like pens).
- Prompt or interactive journaling helps you focus on what you want to write about. Before you write, you’ll use these prompts to determine the direction your writing will take.
There are many approaches to journaling. Some approaches are more structured and others are more free-form. There is not one correct way to journal; it’s all up to you! The important thing is that you find a style that works for you and makes sense of how much time and energy (or lack thereof) you have available.
For more on journaling techniques, read Vanilla Paper’s article 13 POWERFUL JOURNALING TECHNIQUES (AND HOW TO START).
Guided Journals for Mental Health I Recommend
There are a lot of journals that use journaling prompts out there, and it’s overwhelming to choose the right one. Here are some of my favorites:
24 Critical Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
Journaling prompts are a great way to get into the habit of writing, and they can also help you improve your mental health. These 24 critical journaling prompts for mental health can help you identify your mental health triggers, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Please incorporate them into your journaling routine.
- What triggers my negative emotions? What do I think is the root cause of those negative emotions?
- Is there anyone who might be a good listener for me?
- What do I think the long-term implications are for my current state of mind?
- How am I going to help myself today?
- What about this situation is making me feel unsafe or uncomfortable? How can I best communicate my needs and boundaries in this situation?
- What has affected me negatively this month or week? What has affected me positively this month or week?
- How do I show self-love? How can I show myself love consistently?
- What is one thing that makes me special? Why is that important to me?
- How might it be possible for the other person to change their behavior, so that we’re both satisfied with the outcome and feel safe with each other moving forward?
- How can I let go of a grudge I’m still holding on to?
- What am I feeling right now? Is it a new emotion, or a familiar one?
- What is one healthy activity that has helped me feel better lately?
- What are some things that make me feel worse, and how can I avoid them in the future?
- Is my self-talk positive or negative? If it’s negative, why and what should I say instead?
- If anything could be different in my life right now, what would it be and why?
- How do I feel about my life right now?
- How could I make today better than yesterday?
- What did you do well today?
- Am I being kind to myself today?
- What would I like to improve about myself, and what steps will I take to get there?
- Where do I need help? Who is someone in my life who can help me?
- What are the three things that have made me happy today?
- If my best friend were in this situation, what advice would I give to them?
- What does self-care look like to me? How can I incorporate that self-care into my daily routine?
Final Thoughts on Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
Holding yourself accountable for your mental health is a bold way to live on your own terms. Journaling is an important mental health practice. Journaling has been shown to help people in many ways, such as, exploring their thoughts and feelings, processing their thoughts and feelings, and making sense of their thoughts and feelings.
It’s easy to see how journaling can be beneficial for you. Start your journey by using the prompts above. You can download our FREE 24 Critical Journaling Prompts for Mental Health, so the prompts are close by when you need them!
What journaling prompts have you found the most helpful? Drop them in the comments below!
Any guided journal you recommend? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
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