Self-esteem journal prompts are one of the lesser-used tools for promoting healthy self-esteem. When we think about building self-esteem, we often think about utilizing positive affirmations, or simply adopting a more positive mindset.
While both of these tools are great, journaling in a way that's geared toward high self-esteem can be a game-changer, because it really gives you to the time to think and adequately organize your thoughts by putting pen to paper. To help you get started, we compiled a list of 51 journaling prompts that can be helpful for anyone who wants to raise their self-esteem.
Self-Esteem Journaling Prompts
1. When do you feel good about yourself?
2. How would your close friends describe you?
3. What went well today?
4. What was challenging for you today?
5. What are the most positive aspects of your life?
6. What do you really love about yourself?
7. What do you do well?
8. What do you want to feel tomorrow?
9. What's holding you back from pursuing your dreams?
10. What is one thing you would do if you knew you couldn't fail?
11. What's one activity that always cheers you up?
12. What's going really well for you in this season of your life?
13. What compliment do you often get that you have a difficult time accepting?
14. When have you showed courage recently?
15. What is your best physical quality?
16. What do you love most about your best friend?
17. What have you learned from past mistakes?
18. What do you consider your safe space? What about it feels so comforting to you?
19. How would you rate your overall mental health?
20. What are some negative things in your life that you can clear out?
21. What is your favorite thing to do?
22. How do you feel about your life right now, overall?
23. Name a quality you have that you know is valuable to people in your life.
24. Name a time in your life when you felt really good about yourself. What were the circumstances?
25. Name a time when you felt really bad about yourself. What made you feel so bad?
26. Do you feel judgement from others? If so, what do you think they are judging?
27. If you tend to overthink, what are you typically ruminating on?
28. What's something you would stop doing if you were more confident?
29. What does the word "confidence" mean to you?
30. Name a person who inspires you. What about them do you look up to?
31. When do you feel your happiest?
32. What intimidates you?
33. Describe the "superhero" version of yourself. What would they do?
34. How can you implement more positive self-talk?
35. What can you learn from your biggest win?
36. Do you believe people love you for exactly who you are? Why or why not?
37. Who in your life looks up to you, and how does it make you feel?
38. How do you feel when you hear other people talking negatively about themselves?
39. What's something that interests you that you would like to learn more about?
40. What little things do you value most in life?
41. List 10 things that make you happy.
42. What's a hobby or activity that you'd really like to try but haven't gotten around to?
43. Write about your dream life.
44. When you need support, who do you typically look to?
45. What does your current bedtime routine look like? Could you improve it? How?
46. Write down five self-love affirmations.
47. Write about something that's upsetting you.
48. What is a unique talent you have?
49. What's something you could change that would make you feel better about yourself?
50. What's something you can do right now that your future self will thank you for?
51. What does high self esteem mean to you?
52. What's something you've done recently that you're really proud of?
53. What's your absolute favorite thing about yourself?
What is Self-Esteem?
If you find yourself asking, "what is self-esteem, anyway?" That's a fair question, and one worth fully thinking through before you start journaling on it. "Self-esteem" can sometimes seem like a vague term, but it's defined as "confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect."
In other words, self-esteem is about believing in yourself. It's about knowing that you are worthy, and that you deserve the world. So go ahead and pursue that high self-esteem — and do it proudly.
Want more great journaling prompts? Give these blog posts a read: