Get to know yourself with these deep, thought-provoking self-discovery journal prompts.
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Getting to know yourself is scary, but not knowing who you are is even scarier.
Who am I? Where am I going? Why do I feel this way?
These are some simple yet difficult questions that I had to repeatedly ask myself when I started my personal growth journey.
Luckily, after alot of self-work, I now have answers to those questions. And trust me, it wasn’t an easy ride.
What helped me most on this self-discovery journey was regular journaling and using journal prompts to better understand myself, with my past, my triggers, beliefs and emotions.
Through this deep work, I found my purpose, made better decisions, set healthier boundaries (and stick to them), achieved my goals quicker, and learned to love myself more.
Today, I want to share my success with you.
I’ve compiled a list of 120+ journal prompts for self-discovery and self-improvement to help you uncover deep truths about yourself, including your feelings, motivations, desires, and fears.
These deep questions are powerful tools for self-reflection, and I hope they can help you find who you are, accelerate your personal growth, and achieve your goals and dreams.
Need a notebook to get started? Check out this highly raved A5 hardcover journal book! It’s lined with premium quality paper and fits easily in purses and backpacks.
What Is Self-Discovery
Self-discovery is the process of getting to know yourself, including your thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses.
In other words, how much knowledge do you have about yourself?
Acquiring this knowledge involves looking into your past, exploring your childhood, and evaluating your current circumstances and your vision for the future.
This information can influence your intention, decision-making, action and the outcome of your success.
It’s an exciting and challenging process that requires time, patience and dedication.
But with more knowledge about yourself, you can reconnect with who you are, gain a better understanding of your motivation, and speed up your path to happiness and success.
Remember, self-discovery is a lifelong journey.
There is no need to rush through the process. Be gentle and kind with yourself as you learn and grow.
Also, when it comes to journaling, there is no right or wrong answer but only revelation, knowledge and self-understanding.
Use your new insights to make better decisions, stay intentional and aligned to your goals.
120 Self-Discovery Journal Prompts
I’ve divided these writing prompts into different topics, so choose an area that you want to work on or most curious about.
- Self-Reflection and Identity
- Emotions and Feelings
- Relationships and Connections
- Health and Wellness
- Goals and Dreams
- Challenges and Growth
- Mindset and Perspective
- Self-Love and Self-Care
- Career and Skills
- Actions and Intentions
- Money, Budget and Finances
New to journaling? Be sure to check out our beginner’s step by step guide on how to start journaling!
Self-Reflection and Identity Journal Prompts
- Write a story about yourself.
- How would you like others to describe you? Why?
- What is your North Star?
- What motivates you?
- What are you most proud of about yourself?
- Choose 3 words to describe yourself.
- Who are you at this moment?
- How do you feel at this moment?
- When you look in the mirror, who do you see?
- What aspect of your personality do you find most difficult to accept?
- List all your identities.
- Who is your best self? Who is your worst self?
- Who are you without the labels and titles that society has given you?
- How many shadow selves do you have? What experiences created them?
Are you ready to get to know your shadow self? Click here to get the Shadow Work Journal Prompt and Guide to learn more about your inner child and hidden self.
Emotions and Feelings Journal Prompts
- In an ideal world, how would you like to feel every single day?
- What makes you happy?
- What are you most fearful of?
- What is your idea of peace?
- What emotions do you tend to deny or ignore? Why?
- What triggers you most? Why?
- Can you give yourself the permission to release feelings and emotions that no longer serves you? Why or why not?
- How do you regulate your emotions? Is this method serving you, why or why not?
- What makes you feel confident?
- What makes you feel self-conscious?
- What makes you feel most alive?
- What’s standing between you and happiness?
- What was your first experience with fear?
- Explain the impact that your inner child has on your feelings and emotions.
Relationships and Connections Journal Prompts
- How do you define love?
- Use one word to describe your most unforgettable connection.
- Who do you love the most? And why?
- Is love a feeling, a choice or something else? Explain your answer.
- If there is one person you can express your love to (dead or alive) who would that be and why?
- What message would you like to receive from your future self?
- What are your non-negotiables when it comes to making new connections?
- Who do you want to be in a relationship with you? Why or why not?
- Who do you need to forgive?
- Can you give yourself the permission to release connections that no longer serves you? Why or why not?
- What’s something you must let go to improve your relationship with yourself?
- How have healthy boundaries changed your relationship with yourself and others?
Ever wondered why you’re friends with the people in your life? Answer these friendship journal prompts to find out!
Health and Wellness Journal Prompts
- Perform a body scan. What message does your body have for you?
- What are your health, fitness and wellness goals?
- How do you stay healthy in the body, mind and soul?
- What is your idea of health?
- How is your diet serving you right now?
- Visualise the healthiest version of you. Do your current actions align?
- What more or less does your body need to be in its’ optimal shape?
- List 3 things that are stressing you out but you have the power to change it.
- At what point in your life did you feel your best? Why?
- What habits or practices make you feel the most energized and healthy?
Is stress taking control over you? Learn these 10 simple ways to manage stress so you can finally get that sense of ease and peace that you deserve!
Goals and Dreams Journal Prompts
- What are your biggest goals and dreams?
- What was your childhood dream? How did that dream shape you?
- If you could re-write your life, what would it look like?
- Describe your dream life.
- List 5 interests or hobbies that you’d like to try.
- What trade-offs are you willing to make to achieve your goals?
- What keeps you focused and intentional?
- How do you define success?
- How do your goals and dreams make you feel? Why?
- Who is your go-to person when you experience success and failure?
- What are your current goals, and do they match up with your values and beliefs?
- List all habits that bring you closer to your goals and dreams. The habits that you didn’t include, how are they serving you?
- How do you balance your short-term and long-term goals, and what strategies do you use to stay focused and motivated?
Does your goal feel impossible to achieve? No matter how hard you try, it just feels unattainable? Before you put more effort in, ask yourself this one question — it might just be the answer that you’re looking for.
Challenges and Growth Journal Prompts
- What past challenges have made you stronger?
- What negative or traumatic experiences have you let define you, and how can you reframe that narrative?
- What metrics do you use to track your progress?
- What recent small wins can you celebrate right now?
- List 5 lessons that you have learned that have helped you navigate through life.
- What failures or rejections (personal or professional) have you experienced that were a blessing in disguise?
- List 3 challenges that you thought were impossible to achieve but you did it anyways. What led to these successes? What can you learn from it?
- Describe a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. How did this experience contribute to your personal development?
- What feelings do you have toward growth? How does it impact your personal development journey?
Mindset and Perspective Journal Prompts
- What mindset shift do you need to make about your life?
- What’s been occupying your mind? Why?
- What limiting beliefs do you need to let go of to achieve your goals?
- Describe a time when you felt defeated. How did you overcome this challenge, and what mindset shift supported you on this change?
- What negative feelings are you carrying that need to be released?
- What role does gratitude play in shaping your belief and perspective?
- What negative energies or thoughts have you been carrying that need to be released?
- What habits or routines can you implement to foster a positive and resilient mindset?
- How do you practice mindfulness? What impact does it have on your mindset?
Feeling isolated on your self-discovery journey? You’re not alone! Get words of inspiration and motivation from thinkers, writers and artists to uplift you and help you keep going.
Self-Love and Self-Care Journal Prompts
- Describe your current self-care routine.
- What experience taught you to love yourself more?
- Write a letter to your younger self offering wisdom and advice on self-love.
- How has self-care changed the way you view yourself?
- Who taught you the importance of self-love?
- What do you love most about yourself?
- Name 3 imperfections about yourself that you have learned to love and admire.
- What is your biggest struggle with loving and accepting yourself?
- What have you not given yourself the permission to do or feel?
- Name a person you felt most judged by, and write down why your feelings about these judgments aren’t valid.
- How do you love yourself? List all things you do to express love to yourself.
- Do you believe you are enough? Why or why not?
- What is your self-love language? How has it evolved?
Career and Skills Journal Prompts
- What is your professional identity? How is it different from your personal identity?
- List all your strengths and weaknesses.
- What skills and talents do you have that are your secret power?
- What’s one skill you can learn that could change your career?
- Visualise your ideal career.
- What is your desired level of income, and how will it change your life?
- What is your elevator pitch?
- What are your personal values and how do they align with the work you do?
- What do you like and dislike about your job? Why?
- What inspired you to pursue your current profession?
- List the key ingredients to a successful career. Why are they important?
Not sure about your career? This popular job hunting book “What color is your parachute” is a must-read for anyone who is feeling lost, want to find purpose and meaning in the work they do. Find your career success today!
Actions and Intentions Journal Prompts
- How are you showing up for yourself?
- How are you showing up as yourself?
- What promises have you set for yourself that are no longer serving you or your highest good?
- What areas in your life do you need to slow down?
- Which area in your life requires your immediate attention?
- What can you do less of? What can you do more of?
- How do you stay intentional?
- What do you do daily that brings you closer to your future self?
- What is your idea of productivity and speed?
Money, Budget and Finances Journal Prompts
- At what age did you learn the concept of money? How did this change you?
- What is your relationship with money?
- How does money make you feel?
- If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do with your life?
- How much money is enough for you?
- What is more powerful than money? Why?
- At what age do you want to retire? What action steps can you take to achieve this goal?
- How would you prioritize the following: love, money, family, career, success and health? Explain the choice of your order.
- What money habits do you need to create or let go of?
- What are your biggest financial fears and how can you overcome them?
- What limiting mindsets are hindering your financial growth?
Want to triple your savings? Learn these must-have good money habits increase your wealth and improve your financial situation.
Get To Know Yourself
If you’re feeling lost or just want to learn more about yourself, these deep journal prompts for self-discovery can help.
With each writing prompt, you get to know yourself better, gaining insights into your thoughts, desires, values, and fears. By doing this, you can make more informed decisions and approach life with greater clarity and purpose.
Self-discovery is both an exciting and challenging journey. Embrace this process wholeheartedly as it is the key to achieving your dreams and living a fulfilling life.
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