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 a prompt can be as simple or as difficult as you would like. I do not use one everyday, 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! They 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
The more I journal, the more I realize that I have better conversations with myself in journal form. I understand that may sound odd. But here’s what I mean:
In my head, I need to choose what I want to eat. I want pizza; the last time I had pizza was in July, the night we ordered Mark wings, and I only got pizza to make it easier. Wait, where were we? We were in California. Oh, I like that shop in California that has the tea with boba. What’s that place called? Why can’t I remember? I always have issues with my memory. I can’t remember anything, but I remember that one pair of socks…
It goes on and on, and somewhere in there, I will remember I was supposed to be doing ‘something.’ And to be honest, the spiral can be deep. I can go from thinking about pizza and then end up at rabbits in about 10 seconds. If nothing stops me, I will go on to start about ten chores or tasks in the meantime before ever remembering that I was hungry.
This is my reality.
It’s okay; I’m used to it. I am also good at hiding the whirlwind inside my brain, although I’m not as good as I used to be.
When I journal, I usually write in complete sentences. The sentence structure, the pen and paper, and the act of writing all slow my thoughts down. My braindumps and morning pages are perfectly as crazy as my brain. I feel free and light when I dump out two pages of that garbage. I am more calm and centered. It gets me ready to start my day. I still journal throughout the day on paper and sometimes digitally, too. Because the act of writing down the subject I want to think about forces me to focus on that subject. It won’t always work, but more often than not, it does.
All of this is why I chose Pat Conroy’s quote. Journaling is where I explain things to myself, not just my life, though. Sometimes, I need to focus and organize my thoughts on any subject.
Weekly Inspiration
Journaling
Any time I’m looking at the writings of someone else’s brain, it relaxes my inner whirlwind. It inspires me to dump my own thoughts down because I want to feel that sense of relief.
Creative Journaling
I love the use of the line drawing of flowers here. I like drawing flowers like this and also use them in my journal. Sometimes, I will draw them right on top of the entire page in pencil.
Bullet Journaling
This image was changed to black and white. But. The page looks amazing in black and white. I am drawn to art journals and creative journal pages that are done in black and white.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1083537991593454700/Pin By Caffee Lane
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
40.01 How did you listen to music when you were younger?
CD’s? Radio? MP3s? This question will show your age faster than your ID. I am Generation X, so we had the blessing of being raised in all of the above. I remember playing records, recording songs onto cassettes from the radio, my 5-disc CD changer (that I still own!), and then MP3s. We also had an 8-track player, but it was more novelty for me. What did you grow up with? Do you know what all of those things are?
40.02 Do you remember a song your mom or dad sang when you were a child?
(Or other adult figures; think grandparent, guardian, or anyone who sang to you.) What was the song? Do you remember the words or just the sounds? Was it a popular song or an old lullaby? The only songs I remember Mom singing were the hits of the time and oldies. I definitely remember oldies like Delta Dawn, Harper Valley PTA, Rosanna, etc. We grew up loving music!
40.03 When was the last time you stopped and watched what was happening around you?
Indoors or out, sometimes just taking a moment to watch is magical. Most of the time, you will think of people with this question, but people do not have to be present. If you are alone inside, look around. You may notice flickering shadows from the ceiling fan, how the light reflects off water bottles and through the water, or how the breeze ruffles the curtains. Take the time to really look and then write about it.
40.04 What does success look like to you?
We all have different measuring tools when it comes to success. Sometimes, those tools are different based on the day. What kind of tools do you use? Do you measure emotional well-being? Physical fitness? Financial gain or status? Material objects? My measurements depend on the day. Today, it’s emotional well-being and productivity level. I feel good, and I am getting work done. That’s a successful day!
40.05 Do you jump to conclusions?
When you first hear something, do you automatically jump to your own conclusion or look deeper for the rest of the story? I grew up listening to Paul Harvey tell the rest of the story; that way of thinking has always stuck with me. I still jump; sometimes, I dive right off the cliff head first into that faulty conclusion. But, with time, I have learned to go ahead and research it even when I think I’m right. It’s hard admitting how many times I have been wrong.
40.06 Do you disqualify the positive things about yourself?
Why? If you never follow a journal prompt again, please do this one. Think about the positive things about you or your life. It could be how you are with people, dress, work habits, anything. Now look at those things as if someone else did them; how highly would you think of that other person? Usually, it’s a lot higher than you will feel about yourself. Do not disqualify a positive thing about yourself simply because it’s you. If you want to improve on an area, great. But do it knowing that even so, you are amazing just the way you are.
40.07 Word of the week: Quixotic.
Look it up, write down the definition, and use it in a sentence or three. Do you have any quixotic dreams? What about quixotic pursuits?
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.
