Positive prompts for journaling provide a simple tool to help you frame your thoughts around positive things.
I wish positive thinking “just happened,” but alas, it doesn’t. We have to be intentional about shaping our thoughts.
There’s even a national holiday dedicated to it. Who knew!?
Well, over here, we choose to celebrate ahead of time with a list of positive thinking prompts … because guess what? Our mindsets are worth honoring every day!
Did You Know That “Positive Thinking Day” Was a Thing?
Did you know September 13 is Positive Thinking Day? It’s true!
This day is dedicated to helping you focus on the positive in your life even if you feel like you’re swimming in a sea of negativity.
You can celebrate by making a gratitude list, coloring some positive affirmation pages, or answering one or more of the positive prompts provided below. These are just a few of the many options possible.
Ultimately, positive thinking shouldn’t be limited to a day. It’s something we should all strive to develop by making it an intentional habit.
Need a little help getting started? Start by simply catching yourself when you think negatively and replace that thought with a positive. For example, if you think, “I’m not good enough,” try replacing it with “I’m doing my best.”
The more you do this, the easier it will become to think positively.
Also… I send weekly e-mails with strategies & examples, so become a part of that group by signing up below->
Why Positive Thinking Is So Important
Positive thinking is key to improving your overall mood and outlook. It can also help you achieve your goals, whether personal or professional.
Here are some other benefits of positive thinking:
- Increased life span
Positive emotions such as happiness, gratitude, and love (including self-love) have been shown to increase longevity by reducing stress hormones (known as cortisol).
- Lower rates of depression
When you’re feeling down, it’s easy to see problems everywhere. When you set your mind to see the positive, you tend to focus on solutions instead of problems, which helps reduce your risk of depression.
- Lower levels of stress
Positive thinking can lower your stress levels by helping you deal with problems more effectively. When you’re anxious, negative thoughts can make things seem worse than they really are.
Positive thinking helps break that cycle by starving negative thoughts.
To enjoy all of these benefits and more, we have to be intentional about it.
That’s where positive journal prompts for adults come into play!
They are a practical way to practice positive thinking on a daily basis—and literally anyone can do it.
60 Positive Prompts for Journaling (Any Day of the Year!)
If you are new to journaling, getting started is the hardest part. Prompts make it easy.
These positive journal prompts simply provide positive topics to write about. Think of them as mini-springboards, and make them your own.
1. I am doing the best that I can, but there’s always room to improve. What is one area of your life you can revamp for the better?
2. I have the power to change my life. Here’s one way I can start today.
3. The past doesn’t define me, but it did help shape me. What’s one positive thing I’ve learned from past experiences?
4. You are worthy of love and respect from others—as well as yourself. How can you care for yourself today?
5. I choose how I feel about every situation that presents itself in my life. How can I think positively about less-than-ideal situations?
6. Your life is rich with opportunities for growth and learning. How can you embrace those opportunities?
7. Today is a new day. What will you do with it?
8. What do you want most in life? What baby step can you take this week to make it happen?
9. What experience helped make you a better person today?
10. Do you need to let go and move forward in any area of your life?
11. What are your biggest strengths?
12. What new skill can you learn this month that will benefit you in the future?
13. How can you use your strengths to help others?
14. What has been the best part of your week so far?
15. What is something you are proud of?
16. Who did you (or can you) help today?
17. What is one thing you could accomplish if you tried?
18. What do you love about yourself?
19. What’s something that makes your heart sing?
20. Who inspires you and why?
21. What is one thing you are grateful for today?
22. I am worth more than what I see myself as. What does that mean to you?
23. What are three positive things you can focus on today?
24. What’s something you’ve been looking forward to and why?
25. If you could do anything right now, what would it be?
26. What are three things that make your life worth living?
27. I am grateful for all the things I have already accomplished. What do you appreciate about yourself now?
28. I am in the process of creating a life where I thrive, not just survive. What does that life look like for you?
29. Every day is an opportunity to be better than yesterday. How will you make the most of today?
30. I am surrounded by people who support me and love me for who I am. How can I show my appreciation to them?
31. I am capable of making anything work if I put my mind to it. What’s something you’ve been putting off because you don’t believe you can accomplish it?
32. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable sometimes because it means you’re growing and evolving as a person. What situation makes you feel uncomfortable, but is actually a good thing?
33. What positive lesson did you learn recently?
34. My body is strong enough to handle anything life throws at me, even if it’s hard or painful at times—I can do this.
35. What dream have you given up on that you can pick back up and pursue?
36. What is the best thing about your personality?
37. Every day is a new beginning. What will you do today to change the world for the better?
38. What are your favorite Bible verses that lift you up when you’re feeling down?
39. People are not against me; they’re just on their own journeys. How can you focus on your own positive journey without comparison to others?
40. Write a bucket list of positive things you’d like to do or accomplish.
41. It’s okay to say no—and it’s okay to say yes. What do you need to say “no” or “yes” to in order to create a more positive life?
42. I am a worthy human being, and my life matters. Write 10 things about you that make you unique.
43. I am here to help others and make a difference in the world. How can I make a positive impact today?
44. Everything is going to be okay, even if it doesn’t seem like it now. What is one area of your life that is running beautifully?
45. Write a list of habits you need to replace with healthy, positive ones.
46. What is one pleasant thing you can work into your week on a regular basis to make you smile?
47. Whatever happens today, I’ll find a way to deal with it—and I’ll be okay as long as I stay positive about it. Brainstorm positive ways that you can react to everyday events.
48. What always puts you in a good mood? How can you make that happen more often?
49. Write a list of 5 promises you can make to yourself to improve your mindset within 6 months.
50. Look in the mirror and write down 3 positive things you like about what you see.
51. Write a positive word at the top of your page. Next, list everything that comes to mind when you see that word.
52. What is a small gesture that you can do for someone today?
53. Is there something you’ve been meaning to do? Why haven’t you done it yet?
54. What is something that makes you happy that others might not expect about you?
55. How can you be thankful for what is already in your life?
56. Do a gratitude challenge by starting a gratitude journal.
57. When was the last time you laughed until you cried? Journal about it.
58. What is one piece of advice that has helped shape your life in a positive way, and how have you implemented it?
59. How can you give yourself grace this week?
60. Count your blessings. Just start listing them, as many as you can. It helps put problems in perspective.
How to Use These Positive Thinking Writing Prompts
There’s so much more you can do with these positive prompts than simple diary-style entries.
Let’s look at a few.
Journaling
Of course, positive journal entries are probably the most common way to use these prompts, but even in the world of journaling, there’s room for creativity.
Try incorporating some sketches or coloring with your writing.
You can also take one of the above prompts and use it to inspire and create a scrapbook around the topic.
Whatever you do, I highly recommend journaling in the morning to start your day on the right foot.
Topics to Practice Positive Self-Talk
Besides positive journaling ideas, you can use these prompts to shape your self-talk.
Positive self-talk is one of the most powerful tools you can use to improve your life. You might have heard of it before, or perhaps you’ve even tried it yourself, but it’s the simple practice of replacing every negative thought with a positive one.
Instead of writing about them, you can use the list above as positive self talk prompts. I encourage you to memorize 3 to 5 prompts that you can “answer” in your mind anytime you think something negative.
Here’s another list of positive things to say about yourself that may be helpful.
Brainstorming Affirmations
I tried to include some affirmation-style prompts in this list. However, you can turn any of them into affirmations, depending on what you are trying to affirm.
Start by writing down a list of affirmations that speak to you. These are positive statements that help support your goals and the changes you want to make in your life.
Write down at least 10 affirmations — if you can come up with more, then do so!
For example, if one of your goals is to be more confident in social situations, you could write a positive affirmation prompt that says:
“I am confident and proud of who I am.”
Once you have a good list going, pick out the best ones and start thinking and speaking them regularly as positive thinking exercises.
Ideas for Vision Boarding
Vision boards are a great way to visualize and map out your goals. They help keep you motivated by reminding you of all the wonderful things you are working towards.
A vision board is a collage of images and words that represent things you want to achieve in life, such as travel destinations or dream homes. It’s a place to put words, pictures, and positive quotes that personify your goals and keep them front and center.
Some of the positive prompts above would make wonderful additions to your vision board. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at these vision board category ideas, then you can match them up with the prompts above.
Do Positive Thinking Prompts Really Work to Improve Your Mindset?
Positive prompts are easy, effective ways to improve your mindset daily. By journaling (or using them in the ways mentioned above), you are more likely to feel optimistic, which boosts your productivity and even your overall wellbeing.
To put it simply, if you want to achieve success in any area of your life, positive thinking is a must, and positive prompts help you build this critical habit. Remember, no stress, just enjoy the experience!
Share Your Thoughts