Sometimes we need a little boost to lift our mood so that we can keep growing and moving forward. Writing or journaling can be part of an effective self-care routine; givng us time for reflection and goal setting.
Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking about some of the good you have going on in your life and the worthwhile things you do for yourself and other people …
Things That Went Well | Write about 3 things that you did today that went well. What positive impact did they have on you or those around you? They don’t need to be big, impressive things but rather any part of your everyday life that reminds you of the steps you take each day that matter.
A Better Tomorrow | Write a short plan about what you can do tomorrow to make your day better or to improve on something that maybe didn’t quite go as well as you had originally hoped. How can this be an opportunity to move forward? What did you learn from things not working out at this point? Remind yourself that each day is a fresh start and that you can make a difference.
It’s Going Well | Write a list of what’s working and going well for you in life at the moment — no matter how small. Use this to clearly see the progress you’ve made and focus on what this makes you feel and why it impacts you in a positive way. You’ve overcome or accomplished more than maybe you realize — you’ve got this!
Times Are Different | Write about one area of your life — or one particular everyday aspect — that has improved from a year ago. Focus on how you are making progress and where this may lead you. Set a goal for where you want to be in another year and how you are going to work towards achieving it.
A Thank You | Spreading some kindness can definitely improve a gloomy mood as it helps us realize how much good we have around us. Write a thank-you note to a family member, friend or neighbour to let them know how much you appreciate them, email a store manager to leave a compliment for a worker who gave excellent service, thank a hospital worker for their care, leave a glowing review for a creator you bought something from, etc. No matter who you do this for, the difference you make in their day will be something you feel positive about too.
Pay-It-Forward | Write a plan for some simple ways you can pay-it-forward. Cover the bill for the person behind you in line at the drive-thru, pay for the next person’s coffee at your favourite caffeinated spot — anything you can think of — as it could well be the reason that someone has a better day. Simple acts of thoughtfulness and care are never wasted.
Words To Live By | Write down your favourite quote and list the ways you use it in your daily life or why you like it so much. Has it inspired you to do anything or does it remind you of someone/something important? Create a graphic of it so that you can share it with others and explain what it means to you.
Music You Love | Make a list of 5 songs or pieces of music that make you feel really good. Which one energizes you or makes you feel ready for the day? Which one has the best memories attached to it? Make a simple timetable of when these tracks would be most beneficial to play (such as when you are getting ready for work, exercising or doing chores, etc) and enjoy the encouragement it gives you!
But please remember, feeling positive is not always going to happen or come easily, it’s okay to not see the sunny side of life when things are being particularly difficult, tough or painful. While this collection of writing prompts may be a useful self-care tool, if you’re overwhelmed or struggling with stress, anxiety or depression they will not provide the support you need. Here are some places you can get help …
NAMI Helpline – a free, nationwide U.S. resource that offers experienced peer-support guidance and advice
CheckPoint – global (by country) resources for mental health support
Which writing prompt is your favourite? Do you use a journal?
Further Info:
Why You Should Pay It Forward — HuffPost
5 Reasons Why Being Kind Makes You Feel Good — The Conversation
5 Powerful Health Benefits of Journaling — Intermountain Healthcare
transatlantic | notes 
I am going to save this✨Writing down positive quotes always helps to lift my mood. Words truly have power! X
LikeLike
I agree with you because I have some favourite quotes that when I revisit them they really make an impact on me. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post! All these positive words (Yes…I got this!) made me feel better already. It’s a great idea to write about the things that went well. I have a long list of things to do, and sometimes I get frustrated when I’m unable to do all my tasks. It’s nice to write your accomplishments to recognize the progress you’re making at the end of the day.
LikeLike
I sometimes find I get into a rut of just thinking about the things that didn’t work out or that I feel I didn’t do well so it’s a nice reminder to myself (and anyone who uses these prompts) to refocus on the things that are good and working and worthwhile. I find it helps motivate me to get passed anything that might be holding me back. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is great! I definitely have to start doing it. I love the idea of writing about “a better tomorrow.” Such a wonderful way to prepare for the next day. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I have found it so helpful for myself as it gets me to focus on what is good, especially when I am feeling I need to have a bit of motivation. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
These are some great writing prompts! Thanks so much for sharing!
LikeLike
You’re so welcome!
LikeLike
I love these ideas when days feel like weeks and months feel like weeks its important to mark our achievements some how and I think writing them down could be a great way to show ourselves our own growth and progression over time and how each little step has helped us progress.
LikeLike
Yes! Time seems to be merging into one and a week can go by and I’ve not noticed the positive or had time to take it in. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Hey I just saved this post, thanks for these ideas 🤗
LikeLike
That’s great — thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are such positive, uplifting ideas! Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I am so happy that you like them!
LikeLike
I’ve been working on journalling every day this month, and a couple of these prompts look perfect for me to write about tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Sumedha
LikeLike
I am so happy to hear that you will use some of these in your journaling — thank you for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post! Great prompts and ideas to get us thinking (and thinking positively I hope..) Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I really hope that these prompts will prove useful so I’m glad you like them — thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I love Writing and Your post is really nice will keep coming back to it.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
I love this. I did my first journal piece last night because I really am trying to break out of a slump and some negative thinking at the moment, but didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing. There’s some great ideas here, and I love that no matter how small, it’s worth it. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I find that my journaling can sometimes be a bit sporadic as I get a little unsure too but when I do it, I find that it also helps me out of a negative slump because I remember to include all my small successes, etc. It’s definitely worth it! Thank you so much for reading!
LikeLike
This post is great and offers some really helpful advice! I also love how you’ve put at the bottom how it’s basically okay not to be okay xx
LikeLike
Thank you! I wanted to make sure this post offered some mood boosters but also to reassure readers that, as you say, it’s okay to not be okay and that there is support available if needed.
LikeLike
Really great prompts here that I will definitely be using. I journal quite a lot and I have found I mostly talk about the negative things where this will help me more grateful and positive. Thank you xx
Tarryn Leigh
LikeLike
I’m so glad you found these useful! I completely understand how easy it is to focis on the negative moreso than what’s good — we need to look at negatives too — but balance if key. Thank you so much for stopping by!
LikeLike
Awesome! I just wrote these suggestions to remind myself. Definitely will make things lighter. Thank you!
LikeLike
That’s so great to hear! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post soooo muccch! I will definitely be using this. Thank you x
LikeLike
That’s great — thank you so much for stopping by!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these prompts. I really enjoy journaling before bed. Some of these ideas would make for good prompts for bullet journaling things that went well for me throughout the day, and the reasons why I am thankful.
xo Erica
LikeLike
I am really glad you have found these prompts useful (great idea to journal before bed too as I’m sure that helps settle and sort the mind a bit)! Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Such a great post! Super positive, gonna have to try some of these, Thanks for this 😊
LikeLike
Thank you — I hope you enjoy using the prompts!
LikeLike
I love this idea it’s definitely something I need to think about incorporating into my bullet journal
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like the idea — and I hope that if you use them they will be of use to you!
LikeLike
I love this! I’ve been trying this lately with my blog and found it makes me a lot happier! Definitely saving this!
LikeLike
I’m so glad it has been useful too you — I think we all need a little reminder every now and then of what is positive and good in our lives! Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Love these prompts. They will be great for focusing on the positive and giving me something specific to focus on. I do agree that journaling is an important part of self-care and I look forward to doing it every day. Can’t wait to try these prompts.
LikeLike
I really hope you enjoy using the prompts — thank you so much for stopping by!
LikeLike
I love this list of inspiring prompts not just for journaling but also for creative writing! Sometimes I like to explore my feelings in the third person. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes! These prompts can definitely be used for creative writing too (I love that idea)!
LikeLiked by 1 person