This Journaling Journey

Tag: prompt

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.

  • Journaling Prompt: We are all opsimaths

    Journaling Prompt: We are all opsimaths

    Prompt: We are all opsimaths In the last installment, I spoke about a manager at a previous job. I’ve been lucky to have some really good bosses in my career. Going back to my first manager though, and one thing I’ll always remember. An early task I was set was to send him three interesting…

  • Journaling prompt: The homebrewers mentality

    Journaling prompt: The homebrewers mentality

    Prompt: The homebrewers mentality My first proper job out of University. I worked in marketing for a homebrew alcohol company.  Normally, when I tell people that (and when I elaborate that the job involved traveling to beer festivals around the world) they say something along the lines of, “Dave? Why would you ever leave that…

  • Journaling prompt: Other people’s expectations

    Journaling prompt: Other people’s expectations

    Prompt: Other people’s expectations I can’t stress enough the influence this interview with David Bowie has had on me (and just Bowie in general!); Bowie on creativity I’m ashamed to admit, I didn’t get in to Bowie until after he died.  He had always been ‘old people’ music – and a little bit novelty in…

  • Journaling prompt: Throwing away the alarm clock

    Journaling prompt: Throwing away the alarm clock

    Prompt: Throwing away the alarm clock and have met some strange, wonderful people one of whom was myself—someone my father never knew.’ “Throwing Away the Alarm Clock” by Charles Bukowski, from The Flash of Lighting Behind the Mountain. © Harper Collins, 2004. Read the full poem. I love this poem. Today’s prompt is fairly simple, but…

  • Journaling Prompt: The Monkey Trap

    Journaling Prompt: The Monkey Trap

    Prompt: The monkey trap I first learned of ‘the monkey trap’ through the wonderful podcast, a beautiful anarchy by David duChemin. (If your goal for journaling is increased creativity, I implore you to check out this podcast!) The basic premise is fiendishly simple: A coconut has a small hole cut in it.  Rice is placed…