A Template for Your Evening Reflection
From The Pen's Nib: Edition 30
Topic: Journaling Prompts and Inspiration
I’ve written before about finding journaling prompts that work for you.
In my journal, you will always find gratitude, intent, and some free journaling, but the other prompts come and go.
I love a simple temple that hits all the possibilities a day can hold and inspires me to write a little more.
Many good ideas for just about anything you might be doing are floating around the universe, waiting to be caught and used by the right person. That’s how I found the journaling prompts I have been using for the last few weeks.
I was recently sucked down the YouTube rabbit hole while learning about fountain pen nibs. That led me to watch videos on types of journals and how to journal. Let’s face it, journaling for a few years and having a set template you love doesn’t make you immune to looking at other journals or templates. There could always be a better one.
I found some prompts that I felt were worth trying out for my evening journaling session. They inspire me to think deeper about my day instead of just writing a rundown of the day’s events (which I am often guilty of doing).
In Flourished Hope’s “The 5 Part Journaling System That Changed My Life Completely (How to Journal),” Liz explains her complete journaling system and prompts. What caught my eye were four words to consider at the end of the day. I only write the first word of the prompt in my journal. This is my interpretation of her prompt words.
Pebble - What is one action, event, person, thought, or thing that was like a pebble being dropped in water, causing a ripple throughout your day?
Mantra - What phrase or sentence did you use or need to carry throughout the day?
Change - What is one thing you control that you would change about the day?
Gratitude - What is one thing you are grateful for today? (Yes, not only do I write gratitude in the morning, but now I do it at night.)
After I answer the prompts, I free journal any other thoughts about my answers. These four words guide me to think about all aspects of my day. They have replaced my general journaling session titled “Happiness, good, and reflection.”
If you are interested, you can watch the entire video here.
If you watch the video, note two things.
I tweaked her prompts to suit my needs. I use only four of her five words.
As indicated by her video title, she discusses much more than prompts. I pulled out what was relevant to me.
Takeaways:
Templates can streamline your journaling experience.
Use prompts that make you think deeper.
Take someone else’s idea and make it your own.
If you journal, try one or more of the prompts above.
I would love to hear from you. What one-word prompt do you use? Did you watch the video? What are your thoughts on her system? Leave a comment, and let’s start a conversation.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time,
✍️ Susan
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Items of interest:
📸I love adding a visual interest to my journal. The same is true for my newsletters. Each week will feature a picture I have taken corresponding with the month the edition is published unless otherwise noted. I’ve taken daily pictures since 2020. I have many to share!
📰From The Pen’s Nib is my second newsletter. My first, Take Pen to Paper, is about gratitude and the good in life. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It may be for you.