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
If you want to write, you need to keep an honest, unpublishable journal that nobody reads, nobody but you.
Madeleine L’Engle
There are all kinds of ways to write. You can write letters, poetry, music, stories, novels, journals, memoirs, etc. Most of those are ways that involve someone else seeing your words, your thoughts, your ideas, and your opinions. Journaling in today’s world allows you to share it publicly or keep it private. Some can share their journals publicly, and it does not affect their writing. But for most, keeping a journal should be kept private.
Journaling in private, you are free to write about everything. You can write about how your spouse aggravates you, how your kids make you want to pull your hair out, how your friend looked too promiscuous, how you don’t like someone’s political views, or how you feel about your boss. The list goes on and on. Being free to complain about these things will allow you to get the grievance down on paper and release it from your heart and mind. This release is essential. Keeping your feelings bottled up is never a good idea.
Once you experience that freedom, you will also learn how to manage those thoughts and decide if they are valid feelings or just temporary rantings. But if you put those thoughts in public, they cannot be taken back. It won’t matter if you realize you were just in a bad mood when you wrote them; the damage will already have been done.
Weekly Inspiration
Journaling Space
Your space matters. Surround yourself with the things that make you happy or inspire you to spend more time there. That space may be in your bed or at a coffee shop, but regardless, it should encourage you to want to write.
Bullet Journaling
By sectioning off her page, Rebeka is able to combine bullet journaling and daily journaling. Her layout makes me want to play with my own daily page.
Creative Journaling
I love using watercolor in my pages, so seeing it in others always makes me happy. While this page may be about tough times, the overall look is very appealing.
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
46.01 Invent a new holiday and the traditions to go with it.
August 10th is the National Day of Laziness, May 15th is National Journal Day, and National Dear Diary Day is September 22nd. So what kinds of days could you find to celebrate and how would you do it?
46.02 Describe a fictional gadget that would make your life so much easier.
Whether it’s kitchen, cleaning, or journaling, you can find all sorts of gadgets to spend your hard-earned cash on. Sometimes they are helpful, sometimes not so much. But if you had a way, is there a gadget you would create? Have you seen one in a movie and would like to use it? Describe the gadget and how it works, then explain how it would make your life easier.
46.03 Write about a time when you got completely lost but had a great adventure.
When I was a kid, we were traveling to my sister’s ball game in Louisiana. We were lost, and later, Dad said, ‘Eh, I looked at the map a couple of weeks ago.’ To this day, that night brings us a lot of joy and laughter. So, have you had any mishaps that resulted in good times or long-lasting entertainment? Write all about it.
46.04 What is your go-to breakfast food?
I don’t usually eat breakfast, but my husband and I love visiting a local restaurant for Sunday brunch. It’s a Mexican chain called El Torito’s that makes the best omelets I have ever eaten. They deserve awards, all of the awards!
46.05 List three small things you can do this week to recharge your energy.
It’s easy to get bogged down in our daily lives and let these things drain our energy. Think about the more minor ways that you can refill your energy reserves. Consider sitting in the bathroom with the door closed for five minutes while you apply lotion just to be alone. Perhaps stand outside at midnight for some peace and quiet. Make the list and then keep it handy to pull out in times of need.
46.06 What’s a ritual that makes you feel grounded and calm?
Finding ways to center your thoughts and feelings is essential. It’s also sometimes hard to do, but identifying a ritual that always brings you back to or closer to the center is vital to your well-being. For me, cleaning or organizing is one of those rituals. Organizing my art supplies soothes my soul. So, what helps you? What ritual brings you back and calms you down?
46.07 Word of the week: Peterman.
Look it up, write it down, and use it in a sentence or two. Have you ever met a peterman?
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.
