These daily journaling prompts help guide you toward organizing and expressing your life stories.
Recall past New Year’s Eves.
What’s one of them that stands out as being memorable or magical and why?
What is one thing you have learned from struggle?
If you were to teach this wisdom to a child, how would you go about it?
Recall a time when you were in a difficult position.
Describe the feelings you remember having during this time.
Think of a challenge you are facing.
What can you do today to confront it?
What can you do tomorrow?
If you could travel back in time to a specific moment in your life, what moment would you revisit and why?
What is one thing you didn’t have a year ago that you’re grateful you have today?
What holiday tradition (even if you don’t partake every year) is your most cherished and why?
If Santa were to gift you with one person, place, or thing (big or small), what would it be?
If you have any negative associations with this time of year, what’s one thing you could do today to make a fresh start?
Recall a friend/family member who was part of your holiday experience. What do you miss/cherish about this person?
If you could live anywhere in the world during winter, describe where you would choose to live.
Do you recall anything specific about learning to cook as a child?
What come to mind?
Was there something you wanted as a child and never received?
Describe what it was and why you wanted it.
Recall one meal you enjoyed as a child.
What makes this meal memorable today?
How would you describe your personality as a child?
Describe a funny or outrageous moment you and your childhood best friend had together.
Visualize a memorable room from your childhood.
Describe what the room looked like. If you remember, describe how the room sounded and how the room smelled.
How did you feel inside the room?
Identify one of your earliest childhood memories. Describe your experience.
Where did you typically hang out with your friends when you were in high school?
If you had to create something to sell and you only had one hour to make it, using only items on hand, what would you make?
What is your favorite flower?
What do you like about it?
What comes to mind about any childhood toys you gave names to as a child?
Describe what one of your favorite tea or coffee cups looks like.
Why do you like it?
Describe the personality and/or appearance of a beloved pet (past or present).
What is something (crafty or culinary) you’ve wanted to make from scratch but haven’t tried making yet?
How did you typically get to elementary school? Does anything particular stand out about the morning journey?
Think of somewhere your family ate out when you were young. What do you remember about eating there?
If you visited an elderly person when you were a child, what kinds of things do you remember about their home?
Who taught you how to drive and what vehicle did you learn on?
What was a favorite childhood game? Who did you play it with?
Describe a memorable summer during your childhood.
Recall a window that stands out from a point in your life. Describe how the window looks. What’s on the other side?
What in your life inspires you most?
How can you spend more time doing what you love?
Considering your goals this year, where do you see yourself in three months, six months, a year from now?
Name three of the smallest, most insignificant details in your life that you are grateful for.
Describe what your idea day looks like.
Consider the six most important things in your life right now. How are you prioritizing them?
What three things could you give up to give you more energy, more time, or more peace of mind?
If you had to give away a handful of items today, what would you choose to part with?
If you had to leave your house in the next fifteen minutes, what three items would you take with you?
What are three of your favorite personality traits in other people?
Reflect on one cherished person in your life. What are the qualities you admire about this person?
Write about one thing that cheers you up when you’re feeling sad or discouraged.
The more I am grateful for what I have, the more I recognize…
(finish this statement).
What is one random act of kindness that has been bestowed upon you?
Consider a goal you have. What are three small things your can do today to get you closer to your goal?
Reflect on what you want to accomplish. What is one big thing you can do this month to get you closer?
When you look back on this year one year from today, what do you want to have accomplished?
Who is one of your favorite authors? What do you enjoy most about his/her writing?
Imagine you are having tea under a tree. Describe the tree. Describe your tea.
What do you remember about one of your elementary school classrooms?
Consider a favorite childhood birthday party memory (your own or someone else’s). What stands out about it?
Did you ever get lost anywhere? What do you remember about it?
What is something new you want to try?
What is a quote that inspires you?
What is your preferred and/or most dreaded chore around the house?
Describe a memory of a childhood playground you frequented.
What is your idea sleep schedule?
If you had to live in one season for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
What three elements about this season do you love most?
If someone in your life was going to prepare and drop off your dinner or dessert, who would it be and what would they make?
Assume funds and space are adequate and you suddenly become caretaker of twelve animals of your choosing. What animals do you choose?
If you had to dress in one fashion genre for an entire year (and were guaranteed comfort while looking fabulous), what style/era would you pick?
What stands out about your most memorable Valentine’s Day?
If you had to wear a caution sign to give people a heads up about your personality and/or vulnerabilities, what would it say?
What three words describe a wonderful day at home for you?
Think about who from your past you would write (not necessarily deliver) a letter to. What would you say?
What is a memory you have that entails spending quality time with your dad?
If you were asked to teach a course on one thing of your choosing, what would it be?
If you could only keep one small, electric kitchen appliance, what would it be?
Why?
If you put three things in a time capsule for your family to open in 25 years, what would you include?
If you had a favorite extracurricular activity in elementary school, did it change or stay consistent into high school? Why do you think that is?
If your success was guaranteed, what job/type of work would you be doing?
Picture an outdoor space near your home.
What do you most enjoy about it?
Consider one of your first jobs.
What are some of the details you remember about it? (Uniform, pay, co-workers, etc.)
Think back to your family’s dinnerware when you were growing up.
What do you remember about the design?
What is a valuable lesson you learned from a parent, teacher or mentor?
What form of creative work makes you feel happiest or most fulfilled?
What was somewhere you went as a child that seemed like it took an eternity to get to?
What stands out about one of your first journeys on an airplane?
What are three words that describe the highlights of your weekend?
Describe a scent you associate with someone you love (not necessarily a direct scent, but more of a scent that reminds you of them).
What is a one-year goal you’d spend an hour per day working toward if success was guaranteed?
Consider taking a picnic by a body of water of your choosing. Describe where you go.
If you’ve ever had a disaster cooking experience, what happened?
What do you remember about learning to drive?
Looking back, is there anything funny or otherwise memorable about a school dance you attended?
What was a favorite game to play with siblings or friends when you were a child? Do you remember what you liked about it?
What are three foods, colors, or sounds you associate with spring?
Consider a creative project you have completed that made you feel something positive.
What are three words that describe that project?
Describe a memorable road trip you’ve taken.
Is there anything you would do differently if you took this trip again?
What is something you remember about gym class in elementary school?
Pick a favorite month and least favorite month and choose three descriptive words for each that support your favoritism/aversion.
What image or scene from a memorable fairy tale stand out to you?
If a genie gifted you three wishes, what would they be?
Describe your favorite kind of storm.
If you could safely go anywhere in the world for a month, but you had to travel alone, where would you go?
(Assume, finances and caretaking are non-issues.)
Consider a favorite room in your home. What makes it special to you?
What is something you found walking on the side of the road or saw driving and pulled over to retrieve?
What did you do with it?
Describe a favorite piece of furniture that was in your childhood home?
Consider one of your favorite types of bread. Do you have any memories associated with it?
What is something you’ve lost or given away that you wish would return someday?
If you were to describe today as a color, what color would you choose? Why?
Describe an inexpensive item you have that means a lot to you.
What are three things you are determined to get done today?
Choose a phone you or your family had at least fifteen years ago. What is something you remember about using it?
What is something that stands out about going to the grocery store with your mom (or dad) when you were young?
If you could have two superpowers, what would they be?
What do you remember about a school performance you were in?
What room from a childhood home stands out most in your memories? Why do you think that is?
Can you recall any childhood memories you’d like to remember better>
Who was your best friend in middle school? If you’re still friends, how to you stay in touch?
What is a favorite or memorable gift you received from someone?
What are three words that describe your favorite dining ambience?
What is a spontaneous weekend excursion you’ve taken that you would recommend?
What is one of the first important things you purchased for yourself?
What do you remember wanting to be when you “grew” up?
If you could have your dream garden, what would it look like?
What is a dangerous situation you survived?
What were the six biggest things that changed the course of your life?
What is a memorable haircut you had growing up? How did it make you feel?
What was the most beautiful piece of art you’ve ever seen?
Describe an object that has special meaning or significance for you.
Consider a pet peeve you’ve had and describe it without saying what it is.
Consider something you’ve won from luck or skill. What did you do with your reward?
Write something about your favorite street.
What three words describe your hometown?
What is one thing you can check off your bucket list before the end of summer?
How do you remember Saturday mornings in your home as a child?
What was the most memorable car your family had growing up?
What was one of your first experiences with a computer?
Recall a family trip you took as a child. What stands out about it?
Who did most of the cooking when you were growing up and what meal did they prepare often?
What are three words that describe your favorite spring flower?
If you were to plan a family brunch with the objective of making it memorable, what would you do?
Consider a favorite childhood book. What did you love most about it?
When you think back to your high school’s parking lot(s), does anything eventful stand out?
Do any April Fool’s Day pranks stand out? Were you pranked or the pranker?
What was a favorite elective course your took in high school?
What do you remember about learning to ride a bike or teaching someone else to?
Who was the first poet you remember learning about?
Which herb’s scent do you most appreciate? What’s one word you would use to describe it?
Describe your go-to mug currently.
How would you describe an ideal day at the park?
Describe a memory of a trip you took with your family as a child.
If you had the time and energy to volunteer ten hours every week, what type of service would you pick?
What do you remember about your first apartment?
Where does the month of May rank, with one being a favorite and twelve being least liked? Any particular reason?
What is your favorite plant to grow? What do you like about it?
(Or why do you avoid growing plants?)
Who is somone you’ve lost contact with that you’d like to speak with again?
How was your relationship with your siblings growing up? Is it similar today?
What do you remember about the first film you saw at the theater?
