The Opposite of Boring: 10 Contradictory Journal Prompts To Energize Your Journaling

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Just because journaling is good for you, doesn’t mean it should feel like a chore. Your journal entries can be funny, daring, irreverent, playful, completely off the wall, or some wild combination of each of those things.

Whatever gets you writing.

One thing that gets me writing is turning ideas upside down and inside out. Experimenting with new perspectives leads to new insights and that’s what I’m in it for – the surprises, the a-ha moments, the sudden understanding of something about myself that I didn’t recognize until just this moment.

That’s how I see these prompts, as opportunities to get to know yourself better. Which is no small or insignificant thing. The better you know yourself, the better equipped you are to make decisions that reflect your individual strengths, suit your personal circumstances, and take into account your current needs.

Taking it one step further, understanding your decisions and their outcomes puts you in an excellent position to learn from your experiences, discover problem-solving strategies that work for you, and make even wiser decisions going forward. All good stuff!

To give you a few ways to get to know yourself a little better that don’t feel like homework, I’ve made a list of 10 journal prompts that are all kinds of contrary.

These first six are favourites from my past journal work:

1. One thing you used to think was impossible, but you went ahead and did anyway.

Try following up with: One thing that feels impossible now, but probably isn’t. Then: One small step you can take today toward making the impossible possible once again.

2. One place other than home that feels like home.

A wonderful next step is to write about the things that make this other place feel like home. You may discover that you can take some small part of the feeling of home with you wherever you go.

3. One thing that scares other people, but doesn’t scare you.

The opposite also works, but requires a gentle touch: One thing doesn’t seem to scare other people, but scares the heck out of you. (I have a long list on this one, which I’m slowly working my way through. It’s not easy, but it feels so good to get out there and do scary things! You’ll find this prompt on this free printable.)

4. One item on your to-do list that looks like work, but feels like fun.

Is that even allowed? Yes, yes it is.

5. One piece of good advice you find easy to give, but hard to follow.

Umm, there’s no way I’ll be able to limit my response to just one piece of advice. If you feel the same way, go ahead and make a list!

6. Three things on your bookshelf other than books.

Some alternatives: Things on your coat rack other than coats. Things in your fridge or pantry other than food. Things in your workstation other than work.

These next four prompts are brand new. I’ll be journaling them for the first time right along with you!

7. One part of your skillset that sounds easy if you haven’t tried it, but is actually quite difficult to do well.

Somewhat related (and a little cheeky): One easy thing you insist on doing the hard way.

8. One trait you admire in others, but sometimes criticize in yourself.

Its opposite feels a little dangerous: One trait you criticize in others, but occasionally (or often?) exhibit yourself. Thinking about it a little further, this is a wonderful subject for journaling. Don’t forget that your journal is a safe, confidential, judgment-free zone where you can write what needs to be written, examine the things that need to be examined, and work through the things that need to be worked through.

9. One old tradition or habit that you’ve adapted to suit new circumstances.

Further reflections could include: Aspects of the tradition you’ve kept. Aspects you’ve changed or discarded. The principles, ideas, or beliefs at the core of this tradition or habit that make you willing to adjust it over time in order to preserve it.

10. One serious thing you’re quite happy not to take seriously.

Its opposite is also intriguing: One silly or nonserious thing that you take very seriously.

Bonus prompt that makes me smile: One dish you make or enjoy that tastes better than it smells.

Its alternative makes me smile even more (because I never add enough salt!): One dish you make or enjoy smells better than it tastes.

Your turn

What do you think? Should we give these a try together? Choose one prompt from the list above and share your answer in the comments! I’ll start things off by adding the first entry below.

 

What Your Journal Should Do For You - Right Now and As You Move Forward

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I’m just going to put it out there. I want my journal to do it all.

I want it to be a tool for:

  • getting to know myself better,

  • noticing and understanding what’s happening around me,

  • making notes about the things I’m learning,

  • thinking through challenges and how to overcome them,

  • setting goals, moving toward them, and tracking my progress,

  • capturing important memories,

  • exploring new ideas before I put them out into the world,

  • developing my voice, improving my writing, growing my confidence, accepting and embracing who I am,

  • practicing my handwriting, lettering, painting, sketching, and other ways to express myself,

  • taking a close look at my days and thinking about how to make the most of them, and

  • just about everything else that involves creating a meaningful, purposeful life.

That’s a big ask for one journal, so I have three: a notebook, a sketchbook, and a binder. Between the three, I journal almost daily, either by writing in my notebook, playing with paint or collage in my sketchbook, and/or adding entries to my journal calendar or other printable pages in my binder.

As you may have noticed, I need a lot of variety in my journaling, along with a sense of spontaneity and an absence of limitations. It’s also important to me that my journal accommodate nearly every facet of my life. After many years of trial and error and no small amount worrying that I might not be doing it right, I have made my journal my own.

And therein lies my view of what our journals should do for each one of us. In my view, a rewarding journal practice should embrace and reflect the fullness of our lives -- for better or worse, in good times and in bad, so that we can write what needs to be written and remember what we want to remember and work to achieve what we want to achieve.

Further, I believe a rewarding journal practice has two parts:

  1. The journaling itself, in that moment while you’re writing or drawing or typing, should be rewarding. It should be interesting (even fun!), insightful, and moving. It should spark ideas and discoveries that you can explore further or put into use right now.

  2. The cumulative result of your journaling should also be rewarding. The work you do in your journal should be meaningful and significant to you as you learn and grow. It should help you become the person you want to be.

And since we are all different and unique, every journal will be different and unique.

I’d like to spend some time over the next few weeks writing about ways to make your journal your own. In addition to creating a wide variety of printable journal pages that aim to support a rewarding journal practice, I have collected a variety of tips and tricks over the years for making the most of your journal. To get the ball rolling, I’ll share the one thing I’ve learned so far that means the most to me: when you make your journal your own, you’re one step closer to making your life your own.

 

You Are Connected - An Easy and Meaningful Way to Journal About the People and Places that Matter to You

This page is more than a list of people and places that make a difference in your life. It’s a space for thinking about how they make a difference, for recognizing the shared history, the comfort and trust built over time, the ways in which you’re connected.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the people who listen when you talk, make you laugh, and bring out the best in you. It’s a chance to recognize the places nearby where you can rest, learn and grow.

It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that you are part of a larger story.

Who and where are your points of connection?

 

Love Tracker Journal Page

What would happen if you took a moment every day for ten days to make a quick note about one thing you love? I wouldn't be surprised if you started noticing love all around you.

Click here or on the image above to give it a try!

P.S. I have all sorts of ideas for other trackers. How about a Triumph Tracker? Or a Joy Tracker? What do you think?

P.P.S. If you love this page, you’ll find more quick and colourful journal pages right here!

 

Noticing the things you're good at - new journal pages

Years ago, I led a journaling session with a group of office administrators and the experience has stayed with me ever since.

Before my session, I had the opportunity to chat with the group members informally and participate in a series of ice breakers with them. I was thrilled to discover I'd be spending the morning with knowledgeable, kind, passionate, funny, curious, and engaged people.

One of the first journal prompts I'd selected was to ask participants to list their strengths. I thought it would be an easy prompt to get the ball rolling. I was so wrong.

In retrospect, perhaps it's not all that surprising that it wasn't an easy prompt, but in the moment, as I wandered around the room observing empty spaces where there were supposed to be long lists, I couldn't quite believe it. I had only spent an hour or two with these lovely people and I saw strengths all over the place. Could they not see these things in themselves?

Even now, thinking back, it's heartbreaking. Because it's really important that we do see these things in ourselves. It's important that we know our strengths. When taken together, they guide us to overcome the unique challenges we face, to set and achieve goals that matter to us, and, ultimately, to fully become the people we want to be. May we all lead with our strengths as we travel life's winding paths.

This set is all about discovering your strengths by thinking about the things you're good at and putting them to good use. You know I'm cheering you on all the way!