Sometimes the hardest part about journaling is having something to write about. I can set up the perfect journaling session by taking advantage of a quiet house, pouring myself a fresh cup of coffee, setting out a clean piece of paper, and having my favourite pen ready and then…..nothing. As I stare at the blank page in front of me I just don’t know what to write.
A quick google search for journaling prompts led me to this helpful acronym from journaltherapy.com. The prompt uses the acronym WRITE to help get past that block…I’ll call it journaler’s block. The acronym stands for
W – What do you want to write about? A feeling, an event, whatever.
R – Review or Reflect on it.
I – Investigate your thoughts and feelings.
T – Time yourself. Write for 5-15mins.
E – Exit by re-reading what you wrote and write one or two sentences of reflection.
As I began researching the author of this acronym, I found out that this prompt is part of a journaling course led by Kathleen Adams somewhere during her 30-year career as a thought leader and global influence in the field of therapeutic writing. Not only did I learn how passionate Kathleen is about journaling, but that one can train to be a Certified Journal Therapist (yes, it’s a thing) through the Therapeutic Writing Institute. Early in my inquiry journey, I had the suspicion that there must be some major benefits to journaling because many friends talked about using it as a form of self or practitioner-prescribed therapy. Now I am starting to find evidence to support this. But I’ll save that for another post.
Today, I am focused on journaling prompts so here are a few more for the days when I just don’t know what to write about:
Write about a public figure you’ve long been fascinated with from afar. What first drew you to them, and why? How has the fascination evolved? What does it tell you about yourself?
from the isolationjournals.com
“Imagine that you’re suddenly the older version of you — 5, 10, or 15 years in the future. If you sat down over wine or coffee with the current, younger you, what advice or observations might you offer?”
from the tim ferris blog
In what areas are you optimistic, and in what areas are you pessimistic?
from creative-writing-now.com
If you could invite five people, living or dead, to dinner at your house one night, who would you choose, and what would you cook them?
from thought catalougue
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