journal prompts for self-love

how you talk to yourself

1. 1what did you say to yourself today that you’d never say to a friend?
2. 2how would that same thought sound if you said it kindly?
3. 3when do you feel most critical of yourself?
4. 4whose voice does your inner critic sound like?
5. 5what compliment did you brush off recently, and what if it was true?
6. 6what do you forgive in other people that you don’t forgive in yourself?
7. 7how would you describe yourself if you were being fair?
8. 8which flaw are you tired of apologizing for?

what you already have

1. 9what do people love about you that you take for granted?
2. 10which part of your body are you thankful for today?
3. 11what hard thing have you survived that you don’t give yourself credit for?
4. 12which quality of yours has gotten you through?
5. 13what do you like about the way you think?
6. 14what’s a small thing you do well every day?
7. 15when were you brave without anyone noticing?

taking care

1. 16what does taking care of yourself look like on a bad day?
2. 17what do you need more of right now: rest, fun, quiet, or people?
3. 18what’s one thing you can do this week just because you like it?
4. 19which “should” can you let go of this week?
5. 20what boundary would protect your energy?
6. 21who makes you feel good about yourself, and how could you see them more?
7. 22what does your body need that you’ve been ignoring?
8. 23what would a kind morning look like tomorrow?

the long view

1. 24what would you tell yourself at fifteen?
2. 25what do you want to believe about yourself a year from now?
3. 26what do you like about who you’re becoming?
4. 27what would change if you treated yourself like someone you’re responsible for?
5. 28what’s one promise you want to make to yourself?
6. 29what does “enough” mean to you, when it comes to yourself?
7. 30what are you learning to accept about yourself?

how to use these

• Pick one prompt. Not the best one, just the one that catches.
• Write for five minutes. Set a timer if it helps, and stop when it rings.
• One line is a fine answer. Some days that is the whole entry.
• Don’t edit while you write. Nobody grades this.
• If a prompt doesn’t fit, skip it. Come back in a month and it might.
• If an answer comes out harsh, write a second one in the voice of someone who likes you.

more journal prompts