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 journal gives me a place to report, interpret, argue, reflect, save, question, predict, unload, praise, compare, cry, laugh, draw, paint, and remember.
Luci Swindoll
Luci Swindoll says it perfectly. Your journal is your everything place. Using multiple books works for some people. However, I prefer to do it all in one. For complete transparency’s sake, I have a B6 journal that stays in my purse so that I can always have one with me. But overall, one journal is my happy place. It’s where I go to keep memories, draw and doodle, watercolor, bullet journal, worry over a problem, dig for answers, question my sanity, try to solve the world’s problems, and then argue myself out of getting involved. That’s just a typical day, haha.
Sometimes, the assumption is that a journal is all one style or type. It’s all dear diary pages, or it’s all drawings. But for many people, my fellow divergent journalers, that one book is a landing place for all the things we want to do, try, and repeat. Allow yourself the freedom to try different things in your journals. Writing an entire journal page and then drawing on another is okay. It’s okay to watercolor half the page and leave half blank. No matter what you try, it’s okay.
Weekly Inspiration
Creative Journaling
Linda’s minimalistic approach here is stunning. It is simple but effective. I love the use of an actual sprig of flowers to add to the page.
Creative Journaling
I am impressed that even with collage here, there is still a feeling of minimalism. And the emotions it invokes are mysterious and comforting all at once.
Bullet Journaling
This bullet journal layout is simple and minimal yet elegant. While not an actual sprig of flowers, can you see how the two spreads would complement each other in a divergent journal?
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
48.01 Describe the ideal talk show where you’re the host.
What would the theme be? Would there be dancing like Ellen did or singing like Kelly Clarkson’s? Would you be funny or serious? Who would your dream guests be? Who would be your target audience? I am an introvert, so television is out for me. Therefore, only in an imaginary world would I be able to be a talk show host. But this whole exercise was fun to do anyhow!
48.02 What would be on display if your life were showcased at a museum?
Would your journals be there? Maybe some of the fun things around your desk right now would feature prominently at the front. How about pieces of clothing or sports equipment? I’d want my softball bat there because I really loved that part of my life. I would also have my paintbrushes, journals, sewing machine, and electronics. These are things that are a deep part of who I am.
48.03 Name a song that instantly transports you to a memory.
Describe the memory in detail. The song ‘The Joker’ by Steve Miller Band is the first to come to mind. I remember singing it in the car with my parents. It was one of the few songs my dad got into. Later, I remember it playing at his funeral and being transported to the backseat of the car with him singing and driving. Write all you can about that memory, that song. Describe how it makes you feel and why.
48.04 You find out you’re free for the rest of the day. What will you do?
Without worrying about responsibilities, chores, or needs, describe what you would do if you were truly free for the rest of the day. Just let go and have fun with the idea. Would you kick off your shoes and fall fully clothed into a pool? How about stripping off your shoes and walking around barefoot in the park? Make it odd and fun, but describe the rest of the day.
48.05 Make a list of comforting words or phrases.
These can be things you say to yourself and things you like to hear said to you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a word, a sentence, or a phrase. Once you have your list, copy it into an easy-to-access location to pull out and use when you need comfort or encouragement.
48.06 What is something that is weighing heavily on your mind right now?
Not everyone will have something that hangs around the hallways of their mind, but most of us do. Describe the issue and how it affects you. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do to make a difference in that situation. If there’s not, make a plan to forgive and forget. Sometimes, letting go is only the answer.
48.07 Word of the week: Rejigger.
Look it up, write it down, and use it in a sentence or two. There is always a lot of rejiggering in the political world.
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.
