by Jennifer Gibbs

Created on: September 30, 2010   Last Updated: July 04, 2011

Journaling isn't just a creative endeavor, it's a soul-searching time of self-discovery and provides us with the power of planning and imagination to craft our dreams into reality. They can be creative, but they can also be therapeutic. While it requires an investment of your time and attention, the time is never wasted, but invested in manifesting currently untapped potential. Of course, only when we remember to see ourselves as the amazing, intelligent, crafty and brilliant creatures that we are, with our complexities and perplexities, our foibles and our phantasms, can we free ourselves to building the lives we dream about living. 

How many times have you seen your creativity dampened simply because of the intimidating menace of the blank page? If you're struggling to overcome writer's block or "get into your groove", journaling can be a great way to overcome your inertia and get moving in the right direction. 

Whether you’re a “real” writer or not, journaling isn’t just a way to strengthen your writing skills, it also happens to be quite therapeutic. However, journaling can become a bit stressful when you encounter that dreaded malady known as writing block. If you don’t want to stagnate with your typical “Dear Diary” journal entries, the following journaling writing prompts and sources of inspiration should keep you busy for weeks to come:

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Why? If you could go back in time and undo one choice you made, what would it be? How would you “re-script” things for a happier ending? What does it mean to be a good neighbor? What could you do personally to be a better neighbor to those in your area? What is your absolute favorite holiday? What about it makes that holiday so special to you? Describe, in detail, your definition of a relaxing evening? What book or movie has had the greatest impact on your life? How would the world be different if television had never been invented? What did you dream about last night? What is the weirdest thing a stranger has ever said to you? How did you react? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said to a stranger? How did they react?

Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not? Are you a believer in the concept of a soul mate? Explain your stance… What are your thoughts and opinions on the Green Movement? What are the most beautiful things you can think of in life? What is your biggest regret? What do you feel has been your greatest victory in life? What is your biggest fear? Who is your own “personal hero”? Why? Describe your own personal “mental sanctuary”? What does it look like? What does it sound like? Is it private or is it shared space? When was the last time you cried? What brought you to tears? Why do you think “honesty is the best policy”? What do you spend the most time worrying about? Is it a justifiable worry or something that’s highly unlikely? What things in life, work or your family are you guilty of taking too seriously? If you could totally reinvent yourself, what would the New You look like, be and do? You wake up to discover an anonymous money order – specifically addressed to you – in your mailbox. How do you spend it?

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