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
Writing in a daily journal is important but the reason why I journal is because I can read my own writing after many months have passed by. I’m able to reflect on my life, my actions, my behaviors, my memories and also the behavior of others around me.
Nando Prudhomme
Reflection journaling is a popular method of journaling. As Nando Prudhomme writes, you can reflect on actions and behaviors not just of your own but also of others. Sometimes, this reflection can make or break relationships. In journaling about my actions towards others, I sometimes learn why and how they are not in my best interest. Sometimes, I realize their behavior towards me is unacceptable, and I must remove it from my life.
These are the most important discussions you will have with yourself. You will sometimes come to understand that you are not taking care of yourself as you should, and that is a beautiful moment. Awareness is key. The only way we can change is to be aware of the problem, and only then can we plan a change for the better.
As an aside, on On October 18, 2006, I gave birth to my daughter. Today’s journaling will be special as we’ve hit the 18-year milestone. I am so proud of the young lady she has grown into. I have loved every single moment of watching her grow, learn, and become. Today will be a great day for reflection!
Weekly Inspiration
Creative Journaling
Creative journaling can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. That is part of the appeal. This fall spread is very simple and yet elegant!
Junk Journaling
Junk journaling and art journaling are very similar. To me, they are both art. It takes a very particular kind of creativity to be able to arrange scrap pieces into an appealing page. I do not have this skill!
Bullet Journaling – Brain Dumps
Brain dumps are an amazing tool that can be used within bullet journaling or alone. Allowing yourself the freedom to write all the things down without structure is an amazing feeling.
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
42.01 Are you in charge of your own happiness?
Do you let others sway your happiness? Do you let the events around you change your level of happiness? Sometimes, we let the emotions of others cloud our own. Describe how these things affect you and what you could do to shield yourself from their effects.
42.02 Do you compare yourself to others?
When it comes to your physical appearance, do you compare how you stack up against others? What about your home and material objects? Is the grass always greener on the other side? Why do you do this? Are the things that you compare wrong or just different? Your body may be different than others that you see, but hasn’t it got you this far? Are you not standing where you are because of the strength of that body?
42.03 Do you judge others without knowing their path?
Consider someone you have judged recently – someone dressed in bad taste or someone rude or disrespectful. Have you considered how their day was prior to that event? Or their week, month, or entire life? If you knew the cashier who was rude to you had just lost a parent or their partner lost their job, would it change how you feel about their disrespectful behavior?
42.04 Make a list of the things that are out of your control.
Write down all of the things that affect you. These will be things that you stress over and want to change. They may be things that are causing you great anxiety. Recognizing the difference between what is within your control and what is not is essential. That’s why there are two parts to this prompt. In the following prompt, you will list what is within your control.
42.05 Make a list of things that are within your control.
The prior prompt was about what is not in your control. Now, it’s time to list the things within your control. Your reaction to something out of your control should go on this list. The responses of others are not on this list. These distinctions are crucial for helping you to manage anxiety and stress in your life.
42.06 Do you use coupons?
What’s the craziest thing you’ve bought using a coupon? I have seen crazy purchases over the years of people buying multiple items for next to nothing. But honestly, I’ve never really used coupons that way. We have limited space, so multiples don’t work when we are on the road. If you haven’t used coupons yourself, then write about someone else’s crazy couponing that you’ve seen or heard about.
42.07 Word of the week: Syzygy.
Look it up, write it down, and use it in a sentence or two. This week’s word comes to you in honor of October’s supermoon!
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.
