The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.
Henry Ward Beecher
Are you into journaling?
If not, it might be worth a try as you down that first cup of coffee.
Morning journal prompts are incredibly beneficial because they set a positive and mindful tone for the day. They encourage self-reflection, emotional awareness, and goal setting. By exploring your thoughts and feelings in writing, you can release negative emotions, express gratitude, and clarify your intentions.
(Super helpful in these increasingly fast-paced and often disorienting times.)
With practice, morning journaling can help you start each day with a clear focus on what matters most to you, ultimately leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling day.
And who doesn’t want more of that?
Read on for 5 morning journal prompts to help you start your day:
1. Scan your body
Beginning each day with a simple physical check-in encourages you to connect back with your body, fostering self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional well-being– all essential components not just of a healthy day but of a balanced, fulfilling life.
Morning journal prompt:
How do I feel physically right now? What’s happening in my body and what could that be telling me about my emotions?
2. Let it go
Incorporating this morning journal prompt into your routine can be a powerful way to start your day with emotional clarity, a positive mindset, and a greater sense of control over your well-being. It helps you leave behind any emotional baggage from the past and focus on what’s ahead.
Morning journal prompt:
What can I let go of or release from yesterday or the past week to start today with a clean slate and a positive mindset?
3. Build anticipation
Beginning your day with a sense of purpose and positivity can be a powerful strategy to help you orient your thoughts around the goal of savoring positive experiences. Looking ahead with anticipation and openness can also help reduce stress and keep you grounded in the face of setbacks.
Morning journal prompt:
What am I looking forward to today? What’s at least one thing that excites me (or piques my curiosity) about the day ahead?
4. Set an intention
Separate from goal setting, choosing to set an intention for the day is a distinctly beneficial practice that can enhance your emotional well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction with how you approach and experience each day. It can be especially helpful for those who are feeling a sense of helplessness, low energy, or depressed mood, as it gently reframes the day ahead as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Morning journal prompt:
Set an intention for the day. What quality or attitude would I like to embody throughout this day?
5. Create an affirmation
Taking the concept of a daily intention one step further, writing a daily affirmation or mantra can be a simple yet powerful practice to promote emotional well-being and set a positive tone for the day ahead. With practice, this can become a valuable habit to nurture self-compassion and cultivate a more optimistic and resilient mindset.
Morning journal prompt:
Write a short affirmation or mantra for the day. It could be something as simple as “I am capable,” “I am safe,” or “I choose joy.”
Enjoy this post? You might also like:
Mindful Goal-Setting
25 Mindfulness Ideas to Try this Year
Habit Change in 3 Easy(-ish) Steps
Were these morning journal prompts helpful? Want to continue the conversation with a member of our team?