Introduction to Journaling Prompts
How to use journaling prompts for both reflective and creative writing in pregnancy, motherhood, and beyond.
“If you write, you’re a writer.” I don’t know who said that first, but I feel like someone did. And it’s true. Writing is simply about putting your thoughts onto paper. If you’ve been noodling about starting a journal, exploring that creative writing tug you felt pulled by in high school, or looking for a way to purge your subconscious, all it takes is one pen (or key) stroke and you’re well on your way to catharsis and creation.
Writing is an invitation to express your imagination and free your mind of clutter. Journaling is one of many ways to express your writing, either reflectively or creatively. You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need hours of time blocked out. You just need to be present in the little moments you can find for yourself.
For me, writing is an act of reconnecting with my heart. As I enter motherhood and prepare for an upheaval of life as I currently know it feat. New Baby, I am comforted by the fact that words will always be here to help me heal, vent, and process. Whatever season of life you are currently in, and especially if you are also navigating matrescence, I hope that writing can become a personal safe haven for you, too.
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Two Types of Journaling Prompts: Reflective and Creative
My journaling newsletters to encourage and support your own writing will always be twofold, containing both (1) a reflective prompt and (2) a creative prompt.
A reflective prompt is something for you to write about diaristically. Talk to your blank pages like you’re recording your own history. Like a memory book of your thoughts and feelings. I practice reflective journaling at night and it doesn’t require pre-planning; only honesty and presence.
A creative prompt is something to inspire your own artistry and encourage creative writing. For example, a creative prompt could be one word (“Womb”) or a command (“Write about your ideal day with unlimited resources and the ability to bend the rules of time”). You would then write whatever your heart tells you from reading those prompts: a poem, a short story, another reflective journal entry, a stream-of-consciousness word dump, a list, etc.
Giving both types of prompts will allow you to pick what method works best for your own writing and journaling processes.
The Creative Writing Process
While I don’t think there is one particular “best” method, I loosely apply this standard 3-step process for most of my creative writing:
Brainstorm: jot down any idea that pops into your mind. At any time. It doesn’t have to make sense. It can be a feeling, a memory, a line from a book, or something observed. If it’s a thought you want to hold, greet it kindly and revisit it when you’re ready.
Process: find a moment of quiet time to process (or outline) your thoughts. What are these thoughts for? Are you reflecting? Do you want to turn them into a story? Do you simply need to brain dump your emotions onto something tangible? Did you need to pull thoughts from your head just you can throw them away like a spring cleaning? Sit with your words and let them wash over you.
Write: turn your words into whatever shape you want them to take.
There is no magic formula and you are entirely in control of your own writing process. No pressure or routine required. This is just for fun!
Suggestions for Fun Journaling Tools
I use different tools for reflective journaling and creative writing. Reflective journaling helps free space in my mind, so I like to journal on paper at night before bed. I have a designated night-time journal for this type of writing, and I simply fill the pages until I feel cleansed. Many people also journal in the morning (think trendy writing routines like “Daily Pages” or “5-minute Gratitudes”). I prefer to reflect at the end of my day rather than the start, but it’s purely preferential.
Fun items I use for night-time reflective journaling:
A line-free journal. I feel less restricted without lines. I am not married to a brand but I love my journals from Papier or Leuchtturm for quality paper and binding.
A smooth gel pen that doesn’t bleed. I love Pentel EnerGel pens. I also love a sparkly gel pen (it’s the 90s girl in me). My favorites are by SAKURA Jelly Roll on Amazon.
Skinny markers for emphasis, titles, and any other doodles that find their way onto my journaling pages. I love Paper Mate Flair! Felt Tip pens.
A reading light because I’m always up later than my husband. I use a rechargeable light that clips onto my journal by Glocusent on Amazon.
For creative writing, I almost exclusively use electronics. I jot brainstorms and random thoughts most often into my Notes app, and then they find their way into cohesive form later, usually on my computer.
I have always felt like my night-time journaling is reserved for my private thoughts, and my creative writing is intended to be shared with others, so I like to keep them separate.
My first newsletter with journaling prompts will be sent out the first week of March. Journaling prompts will most often find their way into your inboxes on Fridays.
To all of you who have subscribed to Mother Love Letters this first month, I am endlessly grateful for your support, solidarity, and shared words. And I am equally excited for all there is to come.
Happy writing!
Xo,
Violet Carol
This made me want to start my own doodling and journaling! You make it sound so fun and relaxing 🩷
I used to journal when I was younger and now feel like I could get back into. It really helped me back then. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas to get started again.