40 FREE Journal Prompts pdf – Perfect for Moms!

Grab this free journal prompts pdf and download today to learn how to start journaling!

One of the components in my morning routine is journaling. I never thought I would be a person that was “into” journaling, but it has been just a stress relieving and motivating part of my daily routine.

A few years ago, I would have laughed if you told me to add one more thing to my already jammed packed plate. Between breastfeeding, doing laundry, cooking, and cleaning up after my two kiddos, I was exhausted. I was living in a constant state of overwhelm and felt behind ALL THE TIME. Adjusting to life as a stay at home mom was not easy for me.

Instead of seeing it as one more thing to add to my plate, I realized I needed to learn ways to take THINGS OFF of my plate, or at least the stress behind them. I have learned what I need to do each day so that I can be my best. Starting my day with a solid morning routine, creating cleaning routines, setting up systems for meal planning, following daily schedules, and moving my body have helped me thrive, and not just survive in motherhood.

What is the Difference in a Diary and Journal?

A diary is factual information about you and your day. For example, writing what you ate that day, where you went, what you did, and who you were with would all go in your diary. One the other hand, a journal is the innermost thoughts and emotions that you feel. For example, listing your greatest fears, reflecting on your day, writing down your biggest dreams, or creating a bucket list.

To learn more about the difference between a diary and journal read this article.

Why Keep a Daily Journal?

• Writing in a journal helps us process what we are thinking and feeling. After a stressful day or an argument with my husband, I like to jot down what I was feeling. What pushed me over the top? Did my husband say something hurtful? How did I interpret his comment? After journaling, I can talk with him about why his innocent comment hurt. As a woman who is trying to continually grow and be better, I like to learn from my days so I can do better tomorrow. Journaling helps me process each day.
• Journaling triggers creativity and encourages creative writing. There is no right or wrong way to journal. It is a time to forget rules and boundaries, get those creative juices flowing and just write. Many times as I sit down to write, I think “I have nothing to write about”. It takes a few minutes to really get my brain going and then I can’t stop writing. Having journal prompts printed out and in your journal can be very helpful.
• It makes you more mindful. Taking a few minutes to journal forces you to remember what happened in your day and be mindful of the lessons you learned. Writing down 3-5 things that you are grateful for each day is also a great practice to make you more aware of the many gifts God has given you.
• Improves communication skills. The better we understand what is going on in our heads, the better we can communicate that to our children and husbands.

Benefits of Journaling

There are multiple benefits of journaling multiple times a week.

• Reduces stress
• Helps achieve goals
• Improves memory
• Develops self-awareness
• Heals emotional trauma
• Increases happiness 

To learn more about the benefits of journaling, I recommend reading this article.

What should I include in my journal?

It is your journal, and therefore you can do whatever you want. I am a visual learner and therefore like to see examples. Here are some items that I like to include in my journal.

• Date
• Plans for the day
• Something I am excited about today
• Daily Affirmations
• The highlight of my day
• Things I am grateful for today
• A lesson I learned recently
• Something God taught me in my devotions

Journal Prompts PDF

All of the journal prompts are written out here in the post. Download the printer friendly journal prompts PDF and keep it in your journal when you just can’t think of what to write about.

• Sketch out what your perfect day would look like.
•  What is the most memorable moment of your life?
•  Make a list of 20 things that make you smile.
•  What is one phrase you would like to live by?
•  If you could write a letter to yourself in high school, what would you say?
• What is one thing you couldn’t imagine living without?
•  When you are feeling off, what is the best thing you can do for yourself?
•  Make a list of the people in your life who support you well.
•  What do you wish others knew about you?

Reflective Journal Prompts

•  If your body could talk, what would it say?
•  What do you miss the most from your childhood?
•  What are you most thankful for today?
•  What do you love about yourself?
•  What 10 words would you use to describe yourself?
•  What was one of your biggest mistakes? What did you learn from it?
•  Make a list of everything you would like to say no to.
•  What is something you are doing really well right now?
• What is something you would like to work on?
•  Who are your role models and why do you look up to them?
•  What do you do to take care of yourself physically?
•  What do you do to take care of yourself emotionally?
•  Do you see your work as meaningful?
• Are you balancing all of the components of your life well?
•  Do you spend as much time helping others as you would like?
•  What daily task do you dread doing the most? What is one way to make it better?
•  How can you spend 15 minutes filling your cup today?
•  Are you doing anything to bring loved ones closer to you?
•  What did you accomplish this week that made you feel good?
• List daily positive affirmations that will help your mindset.

Journal prompts for the future

•  In one year, what would you like to do?
•  What would you like to do in 5 years?
• In 10 years, what would you like to do?
•  Describe your dream home.
• What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?
•  List the top 5 books you want to read.
•  If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
•  What are 5 things on your bucket list?
• What are you most excited for today?
• Who is one person you would like to meet?
•  What is one habit you would like to develop?

As always, thanks for stopping by Living Practically. I hope you found value here!