5 Fall Journal Prompts For Personal Growth and Creativity

Prompt #1: Looking back on the last six months, where did you direct most of your energy?

Taking inventory of how we've spent our time and energy is crucial to living a creative life. If we direct our energy in too many unnecessary directions (i.e. bingeing cooking shows on Netflix, fighting with our SO, people-pleasing, etc.), we risk depleting our energy, which basically ensures we'll have none left for creative pursuits.

Now is a great time to really look in the mirror and non-judgementally ask yourself how you've spent your energy. If you don't like the answer, don't beat yourself up! Acknowledge that your use of energy was what you wanted in that moment. Then decide how you want to focus your energy in the next season, and set the intention to follow through.

Prompt #2: How is your body feeling physically, right at this moment? What is it asking you for?

Again, there's no need for judgement here. If you find that there's something your body is craving, resolve to give it what it needs to thrive, whether that's additional rest, more wholesome food, or more laughter.

Prompt #3: Name 10 people, experiences, and feelings you've experienced over the last six months that you're grateful for.

We weren't going to give you five journal prompts without including one focused on gratitude! Studies have clearly demonstrated the link between gratitude and happiness, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, autumn seems like the perfect time to get in touch with all the blessings in your life.

Prompt #4: What are you most afraid of at this point in your life?

Creative people are often held back by fear. Whether your favorite creative pursuit is writing, poetry, DIY home decor, painting, music, or some other medium, chances are you could be even better at your chosen endeavor if you let go of fear and just allowed yourself to create. Even skills we don't typically think of as creative, like networking and parenting, can be mastered more easily in the absence of fear.

So as you're journaling, reflect on what you're most afraid of. Is it losing your job? The end of a friendship or relationship? What others think of you? Getting in touch with our fears can help us recognize their futility and move past them, so we can live our lives more fearlessly.

Prompt #5: If you could bring anything into the world, what would it be?

Creating is the process of making something that didn't exist before. It's the process of birthing something — even something as seemingly simple as a new tablescape or outfit combination — into the world. So if you could create something out of nothing, what would it be? A love song? A pair of DIY jeans? A recipe? You don't have to stop at one idea, either. Make a list of the kinds of things you'd like to create, and then go forth and make!