Best Mental Health Journal Prompts in 2023
Being able to express yourself is an important part of good mental health. Unfortunately, it’s also something that doesn’t come easily to everyone. Keeping things bottled up and hidden away isn’t healthy, which is why writing as a form of self-expression can be so valuable for those struggling with their mental health. A journal is a great creative outlet for getting your thoughts onto paper (or tablet, computer, etc.). Writing about your thoughts and feelings can be cathartic, helping you deal with difficult situations or get your confidence back on track after a setback. Any type of writing is good for improving our mental well-being. Whether it’s writing about the things you love, the things that frustrate you, or anything in between – all forms of creative expression can positively affect your mental state. These mental health journal prompts will help you explore your mental state and feelings in a safe environment where there are no wrong answers.
144 Mental Health Journal Prompts
Do I hate anyone? If so, why? Could I let that hate go?
Open Prompt
Who do I need to forgive in my life? What feelings am I holding onto from the past?
Open Prompt
What do I need to forgive myself for? How can I start that process?
Open Prompt
What is one way I can push myself out of my comfort zone in the new year?
Open Prompt
What do I fear most in life?
Open Prompt
Are there any work problems I am trying to sort out now?
Open Prompt
What made me cry today?
Open Prompt
What is one good thing that happened to me today?
Open Prompt
What does having a fresh start mean to me?
Open Prompt
What do I want most from my friendships?
Open Prompt
What is one of the best compliments I have received? How did that make me feel?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my child(ren)?
Open Prompt
What is a happy moment I remember from my childhood?
Open Prompt
What causes me stress or anxiety during the holidays? What could I do to make it better?
Open Prompt
What is one bad thing that happened to me today?
Open Prompt
If I could change one thing about yesterday, what would it be?
Open Prompt
What is one change I would like to make to my morning routine?
Open Prompt
What is one thing my child(ren) did today that I want to remember?
Open Prompt
What is my favorite holiday tradition? What do I love about it?
Open Prompt
What is a challenge I faced today as a parent? How did I deal with it?
Open Prompt
What thoughts did I have today that I wish I didn't have?
Open Prompt
How do I want to take care of myself in the new year?
Open Prompt
What gifts am I excited to give this holiday season?
Open Prompt
If money was no concern, where would I want to travel next, and why?
Open Prompt
Who do I love in my life?
Open Prompt
What is one thing that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic that I want to keep in my life?
Open Prompt
In what ways can I be healthier in the new year?
Open Prompt
What is the best professional compliment I have received?
Open Prompt
What are ways I can wind down and relax before sleep?
Open Prompt
What am I most looking forward to working on next week?
Open Prompt
What do I find the most challenging about being a parent?
Open Prompt
How can I give back more in the new year?
Open Prompt
What reasons cause me to eat besides hunger?
Open Prompt
When do I feel most confident?
Open Prompt
When do I remember feeling appreciated?
Open Prompt
What is my opinion on work-life balance? What does that look like to me?
Open Prompt
What activity or hobby would I miss if I couldn't do it anymore?
Open Prompt
What does the new year mean to me?
Open Prompt
What can I change about my bedtime routine to have a more restful sleep?
Open Prompt
What obstacles do I face in taking better care of myself? How can I overcome one of them?
Open Prompt
Am I comfortable with my current work-life balance? If not, what can I do to improve it?
Open Prompt
What lessons did I learn in the past year?
Open Prompt
What do I need to do to become a better person?
Open Prompt
I am most proud of . . .
Open Prompt
How do I deal with feeling unmotivated?
Open Prompt
Am I dwelling on anything right now?
Open Prompt
Is there something I feel guilty about?
Open Prompt
What feelings does spring evoke?
Open Prompt
In what area of my life do I wish I had more autonomy?
Open Prompt
What is a physical feature of mine that I like?
Open Prompt
What qualities do I bring to a friendship?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite hobbies, and why?
Open Prompt
What would I like to subtract from my life in the new year?
Open Prompt
Was there anything in my day that made me angry?
Open Prompt
Who do I trust with my most painful and upsetting feelings?
Open Prompt
What small or big win in my work can I celebrate today?
Open Prompt
What is something I can do for myself today?
Open Prompt
How many months of savings would make me feel comfortable in my financial life?
Open Prompt
Was there anything in my day that made me thankful?
Open Prompt
What do I want to add to my life in the new year?
Open Prompt
What can I be thankful for that I take for granted in my day-to-day life?
Open Prompt
Do I think I am in the role or on the career path best for me?
Open Prompt
What made me laugh today?
Open Prompt
What do I consider my greatest professional success?
Open Prompt
What do I want to take from today into tomorrow?
Open Prompt
What qualities do I admire in my parents?
Open Prompt
If I could go back and change one decision, what would it be?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite family memories?
Open Prompt
What food or meal is a favorite from my childhood?
Open Prompt
Who is someone I look up to, and why?
Open Prompt
What is one moment that I repeatedly go back to, and why?
Open Prompt
What is one way I think journaling could improve my life?
Open Prompt
What is one change I would like to make to my evening routine?
Open Prompt
What is something I can thank myself for?
Open Prompt
What personal needs am I sacrificing to meet the needs of others?
Open Prompt
What are ways I can practice self-care daily?
Open Prompt
What is something I love to do on cold winter nights?
Open Prompt
What is the best thing that happened today?
Open Prompt
What do I most enjoy about the holidays?
Open Prompt
Is there anyone that deserves a big "thank you"?
Open Prompt
How am I feeling on the way to my destination?
Open Prompt
What activity do I enjoy doing with a friend?
Open Prompt
What is my favorite holiday movie, and why?
Open Prompt
How does my significant other make me feel loved?
Open Prompt
What is something that is limiting me from accomplishing what I want to accomplish?
Open Prompt
Am I happy with my work-from-home environment? Why or why not?
Open Prompt
What relationship do I need to work on, and how can I start that process?
Open Prompt
What made me smile today?
Open Prompt
What do I consider my greatest personal success?
Open Prompt
What is one of my key learnings from the past year?
Open Prompt
Who were the most important people in my life in the past year?
Open Prompt
What was one of the most fun moments of my life?
Open Prompt
What challenges did I face in the past year?
Open Prompt
At what age did I feel grown-up?
Open Prompt
What am I grateful for at work?
Open Prompt
How do I want to grow in the new year?
Open Prompt
If I had to choose a single word or theme to describe the new year, what would it be?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite trips or vacations?
Open Prompt
Who is someone I would like to treat better?
Open Prompt
What is one thing that I desire for my career?
Open Prompt
When I need help, is it easy or hard for me to ask for it?
Open Prompt
Is the life that I am living the life I want?
Open Prompt
What were the funniest moments from my trip?
Open Prompt
What is something I am good at? What makes me good at it?
Open Prompt
What do I want to celebrate from the past year?
Open Prompt
What do I want to let go of in the new year?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite holidays, and why?
Open Prompt
What is one of my favorite aspects of being a parent?
Open Prompt
What are my three biggest distractions right now, and how can I reduce them?
Open Prompt
What do I least enjoy about the holidays?
Open Prompt
Did I learn anything about myself while on the trip?
Open Prompt
What would I do tomorrow if I had a free day?
Open Prompt
What is something I love now that I could never have imagined I would like in the past?
Open Prompt
Remember a time when I was happy, and write about it.
Open Prompt
What am I grateful for today?
Open Prompt
What am I most excited about in the new year?
Open Prompt
What is something I do not like about my living environment? How could I change it?
Open Prompt
With whom do I need to set boundaries?
Open Prompt
How did I grow in the past year?
Open Prompt
When was the last time I laughed uncontrollably?
Open Prompt
What is something I worry about that is outside of my control?
Open Prompt
When do my significant other and I have the most fun?
Open Prompt
When am I most at peace?
Open Prompt
What do I need to leave behind from the past year?
Open Prompt
How does my car make my life better?
Open Prompt
How does my pet make my life better?
Open Prompt
What is something I admire in one of my friends?
Open Prompt
What is the first thought that came into my mind this morning?
Open Prompt
What is one thing I am most grateful for from the past year?
Open Prompt
What can I learn from a mistake I have made?
Open Prompt
Was there anything in my day that made me excited?
Open Prompt
What would make my younger self proud of me now?
Open Prompt
What qualities do I dislike in my parents?
Open Prompt
What is one way I add value to the world?
Open Prompt
Who did I feel close to today, even for only a moment?
Open Prompt
What is something that can instantly disrupt a good mood and bring me down?
Open Prompt
What is something I am grateful for about myself?
Open Prompt
What music am I thankful to be able to listen to, and why?
Open Prompt
I wish I had someone with whom I could share . . .
Open Prompt
Where is one of my favorite places to be with my significant other?
Open Prompt
What difficult thoughts or emotions come up frequently for me?
Open Prompt
What does romance mean to me?
Open Prompt
What is one thing I admire about my significant other?
Open Prompt
What is one way I would like to get out of my comfort zone?
Open Prompt
Discover more journaling prompts and become your best self with Clearful
Start a digital journal in Clearful to gain clarity and direct your life with intention.
Get App
Point phone camera here