Writing can do wonders for your mental health. Beyond keeping your creative juices flowing—a separate topic we’ll get to shortly—regular writing can give you a safe, cathartic release valve for the stresses of your daily life. Effective journaling can help you meet your goals or improve your quality of life. This can look different for each and every person, and the outcomes can vary widely, but they are almost always very positive. It is effective for many different reasons and helps you reach a wide range of goals. It can help you clear your head, make important connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and even buffer or reduce the effects of mental illness! Focusing on seven things that make you you, these journal writing prompts are designed to help you pause, reflect, dig deep, and learn a little more about yourself. Day 1 – Where Was I 10 Years Ago? : Take some time to look back 10 years. Using an objective lens, try and appreciate both the obstacles and opportunities that came your way, and recognize how they shaped the present you As you consider this prompt, ask yourself: “How has my life developed?” “How have my beliefs changed?” “What characteristics of my life remain consistent?” “What have I discovered about myself and others over this 10-year span?” Day 2 – Three Qualities I Admire Most In Others Include: This prompt does much more than simply illuminate what you find admirable in another person. It also brings to the foreground your own values and highlights what you may want to improve in your own life. As you dig into this prompt, also consider: “Why do I admire these traits?” “Who do I know that demonstrates these characteristics?” “When do I see these qualities most practiced?” “How can I further incorporate them in my own life?” Day 3 - Describe 5 nice things that happened to you in the past week. Then, list 5 nice things you will do for others next week. Day 4 – Write About The Place That I Call Home: This question might seem pretty straightforward on the surface, but if you dig deep, you may discover several different answers. So today consider the place(s) you call home and ask yourself: “Why do I call this home?” “How does my home make me feel?” “What do I love most about my home, and why?” Day 5 – What Are Three Things That I Do Well? It is so easy for us to focus on what we need to improve in our lives. We need to be smarter, fitter, more organized, and more efficient. While it is important to have goals, it is also critical that we acknowledge our strengths. What’s more, we need to celebrate them. For today’s prompt, ask yourself: “When and how did I acquire these abilities?” “When are these skills the most useful?” “How have these skills impacted my life and the lives of others?” Day 6 - Describe your perfect job, and be honest. (Assume you’re set for life financially, so “no job at all” is an option too.) Day 7 – What Are Five Things, Big Or Small, That Bring Me Joy? It is easy to get down – easy to get lost in the struggles of our world, our country, our community, or our family. And when we fall down that rabbit hole, it is often difficult to recognize the positive. Take a few minutes today to highlight five things that bring joy to your life. As you consider this prompt, ask yourself: “What is it about each of these elements that brings me such happiness?” “How specifically do these things make me feel?” “How can I keep these five components at the forefront of my life at all times?” Journaling can help ease stress and uncertainty and teach you more about yourself and what you want from life. That said, writing may not always feel fun or easy. It’s normal to experience a little discomfort when writing about painful emotions and frustrating experiences. But venting this distress can often lead to healing and growth.