Weekly prompts to help you think a little harder, write a little longer, and have a bit of fun in your journal. I provide the prompt and then a bit of discussion afterward to help you think beyond the prompt.
How To Use Weekly Prompts
Using weekly prompts can be as simple or as difficult as you would like. I do not use one every day, and sometimes I use several from the weekly prompts list at one time. Over time, I have learned that too simple doesn’t work for me. I like to push the question around in my mind, look at it from a couple of different perspectives, and see what comes out.
Imagine, if you will, the prompt as a unique piece of artwork. Put that piece of artwork on a pedestal and then move around it. Look from side to side, high to low, and anything between. I want it to speak to me, give me thoughts, and guide my thoughts into a deeper understanding.
In all seriousness, I do study the question. I don’t spend hours on it and sometimes not even minutes. A few seconds and a few pointed questions after. Generally, those questions begin with why. Why did the prompt spark that response? Does that matter to me, and why? Why did I choose that answer/point? My meanings and questions can be vastly different from yours. That’s okay! The prompts are supposed to spark YOUR thoughts and feelings.
Focus Quote
I don’t journal to ‘be productive.’ I don’t do it to find great ideas or to put down prose I can later publish. The pages aren’t intended for anyone but me. It’s the most cost-effective therapy I’ve ever found. – Tim Ferriss
The intention that you carry with you into your journal is important. Are you there to document your day-to-day experiences? Are you trying to keep in touch with your innermost thoughts? Perhaps, you are there to discover more about yourself. This is where I suggest you intend to do all of the above. Do document your experiences, let yourself express those innermost private thoughts, and pay attention to what you learn as you write. Your relationship with yourself will deepen and improve with every entry that you make.
I do not sit down with my journal and worry about what someone else will think about this when they read it later. Frankly, I do not care anymore. When I am gone, I am gone. My thoughts today do not change the fact that I love my husband and adore my kids. My family is strong, and they know where they stand in my heart. They are also very aware that my journals are full of all of my thoughts, the good, the bad, and the evil. They also know that I use my journal pages as a place to vent random aggravations, and whatever I am aggravated about now, I will be over once I write it out. The peace and sanity that I get from my journal today is more important than a random worry about what someone may think later. I choose me.
Weekly Inspiration
Journaling
Did you know that where you write can affect your writing? Make your space inspirational to you. Add quotes or photos to the walls and trinkets to the shelves around you. Make sure that the items you see are ones that inspire you to write or make you feel warm and comfortable.
Pin by Joie de Livre
Creative Journaling
Sometimes you will see pages full of beautiful writing. That writing may make you feel self conscious about your own writing. But, it’s important to remember that very few people like their own writing and that’s okay. Do not concern yourself with how the writing looks, instead, focus on filling the page. In this case, it is truly the thought that counts.
Pin By Mac VB
Art Journaling
I love these simple art journaling pages that coordinate with each other. For me, it’s a simple yet appealing art journal spread. It will have a much deeper meaning for the person who made it. I am always aware of this as I look at art journal pages, making them all the more special.
Pin By Dana Primrose Bloede
The images that I choose for inspiration are not about the links. They are solely about the images and what they represent. I love seeing other people’s journals. I love the inspiration that hits me to go write in my own. Sometimes, that inspiration leads me to try something I have seen on their pages. Mostly, it just inspires me to write!
Weekly Prompts
37.01 How do you feel when you hear the sound of the ocean?
Not all people are affected by sounds. The sound can affect me differently depending on the day. Some days, it seems to wash over and through me, cleansing me of all the stress and anxiety I am feeling. On other days, it’s the sight that affects me the most. How does it make you feel? Is it soothing? Annoying?
37.02 Do you like to journal outdoors?
Describe how you feel about it and what makes it better or worse. I love to journal or write outdoors, but only if I have a comfortable place to sit. The lack of a comfortable place can make or break an outing. Do you look for a place that is specific to your wants?
37.03 What kind of shoes are your favorites?
Do you even like shoes? I hate shoes, but I find them necessary for my back. I wear sneakers most of the time. Did you always call them sneakers? I am from the South, and we grew up calling them ‘tenny’ shoes. I was grown before I understood that it was short for tennis shoes, and even then, that wasn’t what we were wearing!
37.04 Describe something you grew up ‘knowing’ only to find out later it was wrong.
I previously mentioned ‘tenny’ shoes being tennis shoes. Sometimes, in rural areas (or southern), we have words for things that are broken up or slang for the regular word. Sometimes, it’s old wives’ tales like going outside with wet hair causes a cold. Did you live part of your life believing one thing only to learn another later?
37.05 Describe a food combination that you enjoy or one that seems disgusting to you.
Is there something you eat that others find weird? Are you a ketchup and eggs person or a peanut butter and onions? What about peanut butter and burgers? I love ketchup on eggs, but only when I have hashbrowns. What about you? Describe the combination and your experiences with others’ reactions to it.
37.06 What is something that was done this week that you appreciate?
Was it something that happened to others or you? Did someone hold the door for you or help you out? Maybe someone took the time to call you to check on you. Perhaps it was a stranger at the store who genuinely smiled at you. Sometimes, the small things are the biggest. Describe what happened and how it affected you. Is it something that you can turn around and do for another person? Could you pay it forward?
37.07 Word of the week: Saudade.
Look it up, write it down, and use it in a sentence or two. Perhaps write about a time when you experienced a saudade and the circumstances around it.
I hope these weekly prompts inspire you to think harder, dig deeper, and write a little longer this week. Looking for more prompts? Check out the Divergent Dialogues category to see more weekly prompts, 31+ Fun Journaling Prompts, or head on over to my Pinterest board!
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Happy Journaling!
Sarah G.
