If you’re looking for some writing inspiration, give morning journal prompts a try.
Journaling has been known to offer a variety of benefits. From relieving stress and anxiety, to helping you brainstorm and spark your creativity, journaling is a great way to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
A journal is also an ideal companion for a soothing morning routine. Let’s face it, mornings are tough—we’re either struggling to get out of bed or rushing around trying to get to the office on time. But a few minutes with our journal can give us the clarity and calm we need for the day.
And if you don’t consider yourself a morning person or even a journal writing person, then morning journal prompts can help you get started.
Here are some of the reasons to use morning journal prompts:
- You’re new to journaling and would like some guidance.
- You keep staring at a blank page and aren’t sure what to write.
- You would like to add a fresh perspective to your writing.
- You’re not a morning person and could use some extra inspiration.
Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite journals along with some inspiring morning journal prompts to jumpstart your writing practice.
How to get started with a morning journal writing routine
If you’re new to journaling, you might be wondering where to begin. Here are some tips and ideas to help you develop your journaling practice.
Find a quiet place. Some people like to write in a quiet study while others prefer writing from bed. Either way, you’ll want to write in a place that offers some solitude and will allow you to write freely without worrying about disruptions.
Use a notebook and pen. It may be old fashioned but handwriting has been known to be deeply therapeutic and relaxing. There’s just something about putting pen to paper that helps us release a lot of pent up emotion. Plus, writing by hand allows us to slow down, think, and write at our own pace without worrying about digital distractions.
Start with a short time frame. You don’t need hours to benefit from journal writing. It’s really up to you and your schedule. Some days you may find that you need twenty minutes to get your thoughts down on paper. Whereas other days you may just need a few minutes to jot down your ideas. You will feel good no matter how much time you spend writing in your journal.
How to use morning journal prompts
Morning journal prompts are so helpful because they take the guesswork out of what to write and how to get started. And there are lots of different journals available with journaling prompts inside. You can find journals that are all about gratitude and mindfulness and other journals that can help with soul searching and navigating your career.
And for those mornings when you’re feeling tired and unmotivated, a journal prompt can help awaken your mind and serve as a springboard into new ideas.
Here are some pointers to help you get the most out of journal prompts.
Reflect on the prompt. Some journal prompts come in the form of a question like what is your biggest strength or what are you most proud of? Other journal prompts will be a single word, such as risk or dream. It can help to reflect on the prompt and the associations you have with it, then start writing.
Stream of consciousness. Another technique you can use is to write in a stream of consciousness. Using the journal prompt, start writing down whatever comes up for you. So to use the above example of risk, explore what that word means to you. Maybe it’s a risk you can take in your career. Or taking more risks in general. Write down all the thoughts and images that come up and see where they take you.
Don’t censor yourself. Let the journal prompt inspire you and use this opportunity to write from the heart. You might feel the need to censor or judge what you write, but try not to worry about how your writing will be perceived. Your journal is for you and your eyes only.
The best journals for your morning routine
Whether you’re new to journaling or looking to upgrade your current notebook, you’re guaranteed to find a journal that’s perfect for you.
Journal for gratitude. We’ve all heard about the benefits of gratitude, but how often do we remember to practice it? A gratitude notebook will give you the structure and outlet you need to express your appreciation for all the small and big things. This would definitely get your morning routine off to a positive start.
Journal for daily inspiration. With 91 journaling prompts inside ranging from relationships, mindfulness, gratitude, and more, you’ll definitely get a chance to stretch your imagination and writing muscles with the Prompt Journal.
Journal for self-discovery. Getting to know yourself is such an underrated practice. It’s only through regular self introspection that we can truly identify our strengths, weaknesses, and what we want out of life. The Ink+Volt Daily Reflection Journal is for anyone looking to get to know themselves better. The prompts will help you clarify your goals and steer you in your personal and professional development.
Journal for building self-belief. A positive mantra can give your day an empowering start. Use the prompts in this Mantra Journal to reflect on the mantras inside and even come up with your own.
Journal for your professional development. We’ve all experienced times in our life when we’ve felt completely lost in our career. If you’re unsure what to do or where to start, use the Career Compass Guided Journal to help you figure out your strengths, priorities, and values. This would also make a great gift for recent grads or anyone looking to make a career change.
10 morning journal prompts
Here are some morning journal prompts to help you reflect, slow down, and ease into your day.
- Who are three people you admire? What qualities do they have that you want to develop?
- What makes you feel confident?
- Sometimes our daily habits and routine can feel monotonous and unexciting. What are some ways that you can shake up your routine?
- What can you do to show your appreciation to the important people in your life?
- Write down three things you did this week that you are proud of.
- If you could try any profession for a day what would it be?
- Think about your life right now: what are the internal and external obstacles that can get in the way of your success? How can you navigate them?
- What went well today?
- What didn’t go so well today? Knowing what you know now, how would you navigate the situation differently in the future?
- What is your superpower? Feel free to boast.
For even more morning journal prompts and inspiration, check out our guide here.
