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Journaling to create your personal mission statement
Your personal mission statement is your unique declaration of who you are, what you stand for, where you’re going and how you intend to get there. It is not simply a slogan or a motivational quote, or something you write once and then forget about. It is a foundation for your decisions, habits and the…
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Journaling prompt: Holding up a hero
“The imaginative ability to hold up a hero in his mind to copy in all appropriate ways, to let him serve as a standard by which to judge himself.”– David Brooks, The Road to Character We all have people we admire. Historical figures. Mentors. Characters from books, or even people we’ve never met. And sometimes,…
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How to use your journal to define your personal values
If someone was to ask you today, what are your personal values? How do you think you would respond? Do you have clearly defined values or are they more vague notions that you’ve never fully fleshed out? Or would you struggle to answer, having never fully given it much thought? Wherever you are in your…
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Journaling prompt: To be human
Terry Pratchett once wrote: “Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.” I love that imagery, it’s beautiful and really captures the inherent struggle that we are simultaneoulsy divine and animalistic. And it’s so true. We’re animals, after all; driven by instinct, hunger, emotion. But…
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Building a personal philosophy
If you’re ready to take ownership of the purpose and direction of your life, to put the work in to define your value and belief systems, to forge your life mission statement and to deeply understand your personal philosophy, then your journal is the perfect place to do that. In today’s post, I share 100…
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Journaling prompt: I’m going to be a dad
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Journal through adversity: a man’s guide to overcoming challenges
“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” — Ernest Hemingway We all face unexpected challenges in life. My wife and I have been trying for a second child for nearly two years now, to no success. Before our first child, we suffered through chemical pregnancies and early miscarriages and…
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Journaling prompt: The characters we play
Back when I was doing stand-up comedy, I quickly became obsessed. I devoured interviews, books, podcasts. Anything that might help me figure out how to be better. A theme came up again and again. New comedians often start out completely raw. No script, no character, just themselves. On the stage. Honest. Exposed. Then comes the…
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How journaling can help you find (and live by) your personal philosophy
Tag: journaling
Thoughtful, authentic journal prompts for personal growth
More than just standard, generic journal prompts.
Each prompt on this page is inspired by my own journaling journey. Shaped by real-life experiences, deep reflection, and wide-ranging reading in psychology, philosophy, and personal development. They’re designed to go beyond surface-level questions and help you uncover what really matters to you.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, purpose, emotional insight, or a stronger sense of self, these prompts are here to support honest reflection and meaningful growth. They’re not about ticking boxes or chasing productivity, they’re about helping you develop a deeper, more authentic relationship with yourself.
Feel free to explore. Use one or more prompt or just allow them to inspire your own writing.
