Just in case no one told you this today…
It’s 100% normal not to have your life all figured out, yet.
Whether you’re in your twenties, thirties or beyond, your lack of direction does not define you.
It’s what you do about it that counts.
Instead of sitting in your “stuck-ness” check out the journal prompts below and start gaining clarity on what’s next so you can create a life that matters.
Journaling for self-discovery
From the moment we’re born, we’re funnelled down the same path.
- Go to school
- Go to uni
- Find a job and keep it for 40 years
- Buy a house
- Get married
- Have children
- Retire at 63+
We live life on autopilot because of these expectations and never question whether it’s something we truly want. But we should. Because it might not be the right path for you.
Realigning with your most authentic self means making sure that your career, finances, health and relationships all fit around what you truly value.
And the best way to do this is through self-discovery and journaling.
Self-discovery is the process of figuring out who you really are, what you want to achieve and what you truly want out of life. Because spoiler: it might not look like working a mundane 9 to 5 job and staying in your hometown for your entire life.
Journaling for self-discovery involves exploring your core values, strengths, motivations and desires while also challenging your beliefs, thoughts and weaknesses.
Self-discovery is hugely transformative as it allows you to develop a deeper understanding of who you are at your core and ultimately find your real purpose in life.
51 Journal prompts for figuring out what you want in life
Journaling is a pretty straightforward activity, as all you need is a notebook and pen, some motivation and the below journaling prompts.
Dedicate some time in your month, week or day to sit down and hold space for yourself to get crystal clear on what’s next for you.
You don’t need to answer all of these questions every time. Just choose 3-5 prompts from the list and add them to your monthly or weekly reset routine.
I encourage you to bookmark this page so you can refer back to these journal prompts whenever you need to.
Hot tip:
Because I hate feeling overwhelmed, and I bet you do too, I’ve made these prompts super digestible to answer.
Instead of focusing on the BIG question, “What do you want?” and making you panic, I’ve broken it down into separate areas:
- Career
- Money
- Health
- Relationships
Basically, the 4 top things we all care about.
And if you’re still struggling to figure out what you want in life, head to the last section and start getting honest about what you don’t want.
What do you want in your career?
- What does your ideal workday look like from start to finish?
- What tasks or projects excite you the most in your current (or past) job?
- What type of work environment do you thrive in? (e.g. remote, office, home)
- List at least 8 of your strengths. What type of career do they align with?
- What skills do you want to develop further?
- List your top 3 passions. How can you turn these into a profession?
- What are your 5 core values? How do they align with your current career?
- What would success in your career look like to you in 3-5 years?
- What problem(s) in the world do you feel passionate about addressing?
- What do your friends and family come to you for help with?
- What impact do you want to have on other people?
What do you want in your finances?
- How do you want to feel about money? (e.g. secure, abundant, empowered)
- What does financial freedom mean to you?
- What are your long-term financial goals? Why are they important to you?
- What limiting beliefs around money do you need to let go of?
- How do you want the way you spend money to match what’s most important to you?
- What’s one thing you can do today to feel more in control of your finances?
- How do you want to balance saving for the future with enjoying life now?
- How can you use your money to invest in yourself? (e.g. coaching, personal growth, travel)
- If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do? How would you spend your time?
- How can you build a healthier relationship with money so it no longer stresses you out?
What do you want in your health?
- Why do you want to prioritise your health? How will it impact the other areas of your life?
- What does optimal health mean to you?
- What do you value most when it comes to your health? (e.g. mental, physical, spiritual health)
- What are the most important areas of your health? (e.g. sleep, nutrition, self-care)
- What are your long-term goals for your physical health? How do you want to look?
- How do you want to feel mentally and emotionally on a daily basis?
- What healthy habits would make you feel your best, both now and in the future?
- What’s one area of your health you’ve been neglecting? How can you make it a priority?
- What does a healthy relationship with food, exercise and self-care look like to you?
- How can you make taking care of your health fun and enjoyable instead of feeling like a chore?
What do you want in your relationships?
- What do you need? Meaningful friendships, a partner or a deeper connection with family?
- What does a healthy relationship look like to you?
- What current relationships make you feel loved and supported?
- What current relationships do you need to let go of to make room for better ones?
- What boundaries do you need or want to set?
- What qualities do you want in a partner that match your vibe? Why are these important?
- What unhealthy relationship habits do you want to stop? What healthy ones do you want to build?
- What are your red flags when it comes to relationships?
- What are your non-negotiables for every relationship you make?
- How do you want to show up to attract the love and support you deserve?
Reverse engineering: What don’t you want?
- What part(s) of your current lifestyle, routine, or job don’t feel good?
- What do you currently do that feels like a total waste of time? Why?
- What hobbies or interests have you tried in the past that you definitely didn’t enjoy?
- What are you always saying “yes” to that deep down, you want to say “no” to?
- What habits or relationships do you keep going back to that no longer align with the life you want to create?
- What patterns do you notice in your relationships that leave you feeling unhappy or drained?
- What beliefs are holding you back from making the changes you need?
- What goals are you still chasing that don’t fit in with who you are anymore?
- What would your life look like if you said “no” to the things that no longer serve you?
- If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in your life that makes you unhappy, what would it be? Why?
Save these prompts on Pinterest for later:
Final thoughts
Just because you feel unsatisfied now doesn’t mean you’re stuck there.
You ALWAYS have the power to journal and get unstuck.
By regularly journaling and connecting with your authentic self, you can stay focused on what is actually important to you rather than going along with what everyone else is doing.
I get it. Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out what we truly want. But don’t just allow life to happen to you.
Take control and design a life that sets your soul on fire.
I encourage you to bookmark this page and refer back to these journaling prompts whenever you need to.
And remember, nothing is set in stone forever.
Your values, vision, and goals can and probably will change as things grow and evolve. So don’t be surprised if what you want also evolves over time.
Reconnecting with your authentic self every so often through journaling can help you tap into your new desires and gain clarity on what’s next.
You’ve got this.
Thalia xx
