40 Journaling Ideas for Beginners

If journaling is something you want to make a habit of in 2022, you may be wondering exactly how to get started. Luckily, there are tons of great journal ideas for beginners, from the prompts you use to the actual journal you utilize, so you won’t be left hanging.

As you start your first journal entry, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Remember, there’s no "wrong" or "right" way to do it. Whether the idea of art journaling excites or you’d rather try your hand at dream journaling or bullet journaling (the style that Silk + Sonder is most closely aligned with!), there are tons of options out there — and in our opinion, there’s something for everyone.

If you want to dive headfirst into more traditional journaling, journaling prompts can be your best friend. So as you settle into your journaling practice, let these prompts guide you. Here are 40 journal prompt ideas for beginners.

My favorite thing about Monday is…
What do I need most today?
Write about how you’re going to move your body today
What’s a lesson you’ve learned in the past 24 hours?
What’s your favorite season? Why?
Write about your absolute favorite self-care activity
How do you feel when you’re alone?
What’s one thing you can do today that will improve your mental health?
When do you feel most at peace or relaxed?
What’s something you want to feel, but don’t?
My core values are…
Where do you want to be one year from now?
Write about a dream you had last night (or recently) and what you think it might mean.
Who is your best friend? What makes your connection to this person so special?
Make a bucket list of things you want to do or accomplish over the next year.
What do you feel sad or upset about?
What are you dreading?
Think of a happy memory, and write about it from start to finish
How do you feel after you exercise?
What area of your life do you need better boundaries in?
What’s one thing you can do to reduce stress in your life?
What are you looking forward to?
What’s something that comes very naturally to you?
What is your favorite color? What about the color resonates with you?
What does your ideal day look like?
What’s something you need to be honest with yourself about?
Make a list of things you're worried about — then close your journal and move on.
Name three things you’re grateful for
What’s one habit you want to make (or break) and what do you think is stopping you?
Where do you have too much excess in your life? How can you get rid of it?
My favorite family tradition is…
Listen to the sounds around you, and describe what you hear
What would you do today if you knew you could not fail?
What helps you stay organized?
How do you think your friends and family would describe you?
When you can’t sleep, what’s keeping you up?
What’s one thing that causes you to self-sabotage?
Who are you with when you feel truly happy?
What’s your favorite meal to cook? Why?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever given to yourself?

A peaceful moment spent journaling with tea and cookies.

How to get started with these prompts

Now that you have these prompts at the ready, find a beautiful notebook that really speaks to you. Feel free to accessorize, too, whether that’s with washi tape or pens you love. Then, find a time of day or night when journaling works best for you.

It could be during the day, in the morning (you’ve probably heard of morning pages), or in the evenings — all that matters is that it’s a time you can stick to. By writing at the same time every day, it will be easier to make into a habit. Before you know it, you'll do it automatically.

Now that you’re officially ready to put pen to paper, we have one more piece of advice for you: Enjoy it. Journaling is an incredibly beneficial practice from both a physical and mental health perspective, and the fact that you’re committing to this is amazing. Happy writing!

Next, check out these 10 Easy Bullet Journal Ideas for Beginners.