How to Journal + 30 Journaling Prompts for Self Discovery

I get a lot of questions asking how to start journaling and what to journal about, so today I'm sharing a few journaling ideas and writing prompts to help you discover more about yourself.

// journal questions graphic

// other links mentioned

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// F O L L O W

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// R E S O U R C E S

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FILMED & EDITED BY AILEEN XU

// M A I L B O X

Aileen Xu
PO Box 296
Brea, CA 92822

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// A B O U T

I’m Aileen, a lifestyle blogger sharing knowledge and inspiration on creating your dream life.

Lavendaire is my blog about personal growth + lifestyle design. Follow along and learn how you can create a life you love.

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Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored video.

[adriannapierzycka]

The letter of forgiveness is for sure a good method. Writing letters that you do send might be a great idea as well. I remember being around 15 years old and not knowing how to express myself to my parents, I just wrote a letter. As you said, it was so emotional I basically cried the whole time I was writing. Had I started an actual conversation, I would never be able to say what I wanted to. A letter also guarantees that your words will be listened to the very end, without anyone trying to interrupt.

[Tomikingi]

Great Video on a topic close to my heart!!! Guess what? I'm a 57 yr old man and been journaling since 1977. YES!!! I have many volumes just like you. I was checking youtube journaling videos because Im gonna do a How To Journal workshop at my church in Vacaville. So many other things to mention too. My journals are ALWAYS written to God.
Peace! T. Kingi

[alexisa.]

I remember my petty dad took my journal and started reading it and I was like, “DAD!!” and he was like, “It’s not private if it’s in my house.” and I was so mad because there were things I never wanted anyone to read in it.. I live with my mom now and I asked her not to read my journals and she said, “Okay. I won’t. But if there is something you want to read to me out of them sometime I’ll listen!” she was very nice about it :)

[niffrincontrols]

1) morning pages🤗
2) journaling to self (evening) 😃
3) grateful😊
4) write a letter 😇
5) Organize your thoughts 🙂
6) scrapbook 📄

Hope it helps 😊

[lavendaire]

1:14 - Morning Pages
2:30 - Journaling to self
4:42 - Write a letter
5:55 - Organize your thoughts visually
6:57 - Scrapbooking + journaling
7:33 - Digital journaling


Happy journaling!

[mayafoxwitch]

“No rules in journaling”
I needed that 💖🌸✨🌱

[knewmama]

I just got so excited for this video. I grabbed my coffee, rolled out my yoga mat, got into my sweats and hoped it wouldn't end. Basically, I can always take away a message of inspiration from your videos. Infinite love and gratitude for all that you do!

[shruti]

I just tried your method of writing a letter to someone just after watching your video, I’m so grateful that i watched it today and tried just after watching your video, while writing the letter I found myself being so honest and transparent that I wasn’t with anyone . It made me so happy that the person with whom I can be transparent is myself only, I realised that you need nobody to talk with if you are just honest and transparent enough with yourself . With this not only I have got a friend ( that’s myself) with whom i can share anything I can also find what my weaknesses are and how can I overcome them . Thank you so much for the lovely video . Wishing you luck all the way from India .❤️ You have no idea how much your videos maybe helping people with their problems. Sending you all the love.❤️

[haanhdo]

Love the idea of writing letters. I'll give it a try. ''Forgiveness doesn't make them right, it makes you free'' but sometimes the pain just too deep andletting it all out might just be what I need

[walaakyt]

I know that writing down my thoughts and emotions is very beneficial. I'm just not comfortable with the possibility that someone might read it. It's not that I have bad secrets or sth I'm just so private. Anyone feels the same?

[lavendaire]

Spanish & Vietnamese subtitles are available! Click "CC" and check the video settings. Thank you to the contributors listed in the description 💕

[nicole-rbiw]

I absolutely love your hair, your attitude, your journals, everything 💖 This video is pure gold tbh

[uditisrad]

makes my day when you make a journaling video

[cherryfive]

Thank you for making this video. I’ve been searching video of journaling for hours this afternoon. Every video about journal on YouTube that I have watched just stressed me out, that there’s a pressure of how your journal should look like. Like I have to journal in certain way and faking it to be a very perfect colourful or creative journal. But your journals just made me feel so relief that make me feel like I’m okay with what every way I do my journal and make me feel ok to be honest!

[sulovesbooks]

"Your thoughts become things." That is so true. Sometimes I would write down in my journal, "Oh this person must be doing this because he or she is that." And later I started to believe my own thoughts that were first written only as assumptions or speculations. Maybe I was right sometimes, but even when I was wrong, I had a hard time getting out of my own head and thoughts.
I think I am going to take your practice and think of a positive side of the situation at the end of my negative thoughts.

Thank you so much Aileen. I have been binge watching your videos in the past few days and I've learned so much from you. You radiate so much positive energy and that's what I need in my life right now. <3

[Patcrochets]

The thing about forgiveness is it isn't about saying what was said or what happened was OK. It is about saying, I am not going to take up any more of my time thinking about this issue. It isn't OK, but it is over and done. It isn't going to change what happened, so now it is time to forgive and move on. Don't forget to forgive yourself as well.

[Aluj]

You said once that bullet journal wasnt your thing. But I must say - you creating lists, mindmaps and so on in one journal is basically what bullet journal is about ! I was always that person who created many notes and lists everywhere - and was never able to find them later. So I'm a big fan of having such notebook on my desk :) Love you and your channel!

[Pretcieux]

write a unsend-letter to someone is really a good idea to express and spill out our feelings about them without make them hurts. and i really love your idea about it, that such a good option instead share our feelings to anyone else which only be gossips. Thank you Aileen....keep up and inspiring people!

[lavendaire]

If you'd like a guided journaling experience, check out the Journaling Series! → lavendaire.com/lavinotebooks
You'll get weekly emails with a bunch of journaling prompts & ideas to get you in the self reflection habit 🥰

[lavendaire]

To my journalers & notebook lovers! 😍 Have you seen the latest Artist of Life Workbook yet? It's a guided workbook & journal to help you self reflect, set intentions for the new year, and achieve your goals in all areas of life. See it here! → lavendaire.com/workbook ✨