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
The form of the journal is ideal for capturing life’s tenuous relationship with time; it makes a fugue of one’s completed life.
Patrick Nathan
If you haven’t noticed, the theme of my weekly quotes are around journaling. We see inspirational and motivational quotes all the time. They are empowering, uplifting, and thought-provoking for your life, career, etc. But here, those same emotions are what I want you to feel where your journal is concerned. If you want to change your life, your journal is the most invaluable tool you will find to help you do that. Looking back through your journal will allow you to see the passage of time and your progress.
In your job, you can measure your success through raises or bonuses. In your relationships, you can measure your success in time and emotions. When it comes to your body, measuring your success in taking care of yourself can be done with physical markers like weight and cholesterol. But your mental health is something much more challenging to measure and see the improvements.
In my journal, when I am less stressed, I see my writing improve, or my thoughts are more cohesive and put together. Over time, I can see how long I achieve that state of mind and what throws it off balance. Without my journal, those improvements can sometimes be overlooked. The bad or stressful times seem more overwhelming and more often than they really are. So grab your journal, write a sentence, or write a page. Just write.
Weekly Inspiration
Journaling
Finding a place to journal is almost as important as journaling. Sometimes, that place is in bed and sometimes it’s on a bus between work and home. Anywhere works, just find a place and write.
Pin by Heeva Siroya
Creative Journaling
Frida is such an inspirational person. Her art is amazing and the book that is her journal is so interesting to get to look inside of her mind as it was happening.
Pin By Instagram
Journal by @nolitimire
Bullet Journaling
A weekly spread that merges drawing, coloring, and planning. All of this equals perfection. Divergent perfection.
Pin By thatadventurer.co.uk
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
39.01 What vegetable do you think should not even exist?
Do you have a love-hate relationship with any vegetable in particular? I enjoy so few vegetables I could write a book on the ones I do not. What is it about that vegetable that you don’t like? Is it the taste or the texture? Have you tried it prepared in various ways? Did anything make it better?
39.02 Are you ready for sweater weather?
Do you like the cooler weather? Do you even wear sweaters? How does the sweater weather make you feel inside and out? Do you feel more like curling up with a book in a cozy blanket, or do you feel more like going outside? Do you have a particular favorite sweater or warmer outer layer you prefer to wear? You may be a hoodie-weather kind of person.
39.03 What is your relationship with pumpkin spice?
I grew up believing pumpkin spice belonged in pumpkin pies. That’s it. Nothing else. Now, it’s in everything. I see it being offered in cereals, breads, coffees, milkshakes, cupcakes, icings, etc. How do you feel about the flavor? Do you like it? Have you tried any of these pumpkin-flavored items? I don’t. It belongs in a pie! It doesn’t taste right to me elsewhere, and I know I am in the minority, but that’s okay!
39.04 Are you nervous about the upcoming presidential election?
The media would have you believe the country is set for ruin no matter who wins. That belief can be unnerving to a lot of people. How does this uneasiness affect your day-to-day well-being? Have you tried researching the opposite candidate outside of mainstream media to see what you are truly dealing with? I never take a clipped comment at face value. I always search out the source and hear the before and after for context. It’s shocking what you learn.
We have had both candidates in office, and we are still here. No matter who wins, we will still be. That’s the facts. We may have less money, but we will still be here. I sincerely suggest you research the candidate you dislike or are afraid of. It’s okay to dislike, but see full speeches by that person before you let the drama of the media overwhelm you. They are paid according to the amount of attention they receive. More drama = more attention = more money. It’s simple, really.
39.05 Can anything change your mood for the entire day first thing in the morning?
I am exceptionally sensitive to my morning routines. I wake up, I make coffee, I come alive. My day is affected if there is any negativity within that time frame. Don’t ask me questions, don’t tell me your plans, just don’t. I prefer to come alive and mentally prepare for my day without anyone’s input, haha. What are some things that affect you? Kids? News? Spouse? Loud neighbors?
39.06 Describe a TV game show that you watched as a child.
How did the show affect you? Did you watch it alone or with others? If you didn’t watch game shows, describe a show you watched and how it affected you. I grew up with Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Oh, and the Price is Right! Of course, we only had two television channels, so there was little choice on what to watch. But I still remember how we watched and played along as a family.
39.07 Word of the week: Snollygoster.
Look it up, write it down, and use it in a sentence or three. Do you have any snollygosters in your family? Do you know any snollygoster? Perhaps you are a snollygoster!!
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.
