I don’t know when or how, but I’ve amassed quite the collection of journals. As a content creator, I love having them all because they really help me when it comes to reflection and creativity. So here’s a breakdown of journals for reflection that might help do the same for you, whether you’re a content creator or just looking for some more ways to reflect in life!
The Better Every Day Journal
The Better Every Day Journal is a Black-owned journal with 365 prompts for each day of the year. The journal is meant to help you become the best version of yourself through prompts relating to self-love, reflection, and growth. It would be a great addition to a morning or evening routine. It comes in both physical and digital versions. The digital version probably makes most sense if you have a tablet and if you think you’d want to use the journal on a yearly basis. I don’t use the journal every day , but when I have a moment or the presence of mind to spare, it has been a great way to reflect on where I am in the year. Here are just some of the prompts from the journal for the month of January:
- January 9: Do you think life is fair? Explain.
- January 13: What is life asking of you?
- January 19: Are you seeking security or adventure?
- January 25: Do you believe ignorance is bliss?
- January 27: What areas of life do you thrive in?
- January 31: What is something you wish others knew about you?
In Courage Journal by Alex Elle
The In Courage journal is meant to be a daily guided meditation practice to help set intentions, find strength, and learn self-love. The journal includes simple prompts to answer each morning and evening. I tend to use this journal when I’m feeling anxious or lacking confidence about something in my life at the moment. You can get as specific or vague as possible! Here’s a look at some of the pages in the journal:
The Story of My Life
This was one of the first journals for reflection I got that helped me get better at storytelling as a content creator. I think the journal is great for reflecting on your own life and, if you’re a more serious writer with these types of aspirations, sparking the ideas for a memoir. I’ve used my answers to prompts in this journal as captions for Instagram posts or motivations for blog posts. It’s a great way to spark engagement as well because you can then pose the same question to your audience as a call to action. The journal is broken down into four sections for different parts of one’s life: Childhood & Family, Young Adulthood & Firsts, Adulthood, and Retrospective. Here are some prompts from the journal:
It would also make a great way to document the life of elders in your family.
- Childhood
- “My most memorable birthday was…”
- Name an object from your childhood that you still own. What’s the story behind it and why did you keep it?
- Write about a time when you were given responsibility as a child. Go into as much detail as you can.
- Describe your first big disappointment
- Young Adulthood & Firsts
- Describe a friendship from childhood in which you grew apart. What changed and why?
- What were you really good at outside of school as a young adult? Did you pursue it, and how?
- “When I was young my biggest fear was…”
- Adulthood
- “The first time I went on a real date…” (include a detail that touches on each of the five senses)
- Describe your social circle as an adult. Who was/is your “tribe” and what did/do you do together?
- In dialog form, record the first time you had an adult conversation with one or both of your parents.
- Retrospective
- Describe something you’ve done about which you have no regrets.
- If you had to choose one “true love” from your life, what or who would it be?
- In what moment of your life did you feel the most loved?
These are just some of the amazing questions in this journal. As I’m typing this I’m realizing that it would also make a great way to document the life of elders in your family. Give the journal to a parent or grandparent for them to record some of their answers or ask them these questions in interview style and record their answers in the journal for future generations to look back on the story of their life.
300 Writing Prompts
This journal is from the same vendor or creator as the Story of My Life Journal and so the vibe is similar, but these prompts are slightly less biographical and slightly more for the creative. The prompts follow no real rhyme, structure, or reason, so I love to pick this one up when I’m in the mood for a random question that might spark an idea or just allow me to tap into something that I hadn’t thought about before. Here are just some of the 300 writing prompts:
- What is the best excuse for being late that you have ever heard or used?
- How do you react when someone compliments you?
- What is your favorite CD or album?
- What do you look for when deciding whether or not to date someone?
- What requires your patience today?
The Bible in 52 Weeks
In 2021, I wanted a tech-free way to spend time with God. I had been using the Bible app for years but often found myself distracted by the bells and whistles of my phone. So I turned to the Bible in 52 weeks, a devotional for women. The Bible study comes with weekly devotionals, reading plans for the week, questions for reflection, and prayers. I’m set to finish it within the first half of the year and I definitely think it has been a nice change of pace from the daily devotionals that I used to read on the Bible app, which quite frankly used to be overwhelming for me. Check out what the first week of the bible study looks like below:
The And Self Edition
These questions are highly reflective, so be prepared to do some deep introspection.
{The And} is an Emmy award-winning experience that helps explore relationships by making space for honest communication and deep listening. It’s actually a “game” whereby you pick out several cards from the deck and pose the question to another person a question. There are decks for each type of relationship ranging from dating, long-term relationships, family, strangers, and self. The self version, which is what I have, comes with instructions on “how to play” which mention writing down a question, intention, or dilemma you have at the moment and selecting a card from the deck, and writing down the answer to the question until you come to a comfortable conclusion. I usually don’t follow the instructions in this way and instead just pick a card from the deck and use it as a journal prompt. These questions are highly reflective, so be prepared to do some deep introspection. Here are some examples:
- What are the three biggest differences between who I am now and who I will be?
- What’s an impression I make which I know is false? So why do I make it?
- When was the last time I told myself how great I am?
- Who are my best friends? What do they all have in common?
- Am I settling for less? How?
These are all the journals for reflection that I have in my rotation currently. Here’s to more reflection and creativity this year and beyond!
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
