📔 7 journaling prompts when you're tired, anxious, sad or lost

My absolute favourites to find clarity in uncertain times

Dear reader,

I hope you’re having a lovely, relaxing end of the year. I’ve experienced some uncertainty lately, so I had to pull my absolute favourite journaling prompts. They’re embedded in my daily template, so I always look at them and try to complete them whenever possible. Let’s just dive in!

For when you’re tired

What felt energising?
What felt draining?

This is a classic which never fails me. I am very passionate and empathetic, and sometimes get exhausted by the end of the day. This helps me find patterns and understand better how to feel more energetic.

I have to say, it is especially relevant during winter, when every cosy corner feels so tempting. I usually feel down after being too static - or lethargic even. Now I know that if I go for a walk, do some light stretches or even some indoor biking, I’ll feel a lot better! I also acknowledge that worrying and doomscrolling only make me feel worse.

For when you’re anxious

What fear am I experiencing?
What is this fear guiding me towards?

This is the best for anxiety. It’s helping me dig into which fear might be at the root of my worry or anguish. It can be a fear of uncertainty, trusting others, getting out of your comfort zone, doing something for the first time… It always feels better to put a name on it and understand where it’s coming from.

The magic happens with the second question. Lately, I realised most of my fears and worries lead me to avoid certain situations. Whenever I faced them upfront, it made me feel so brave and relieved. Instead of seeing it as a situation to avoid, I try to question what I can do to overcome it. I know, it sounds cheesy, but it makes me feel amazing everyday I answer this prompt.

For when you’re sad

What was my biggest challenge / struggle today?
How is this the best thing that happened to me today?

This is another prompt about reframing negative feelings. I might feel really down about something that happened, before realising what it taught me, or how it’s going to change me for the best. Sometimes, it’s also about seeing how lucky I am or how much I value certain things. Give it a try!

For when you’re lost

I know lots of us struggle to set goals these days. It’s hard to find purpose and action steps in uncertainty. This prompt is reassuring for me. I usually complete it with a smile. I might not have worked on a dream project or studied for hours, but knowing that I took time for myself, my close ones, and my health, just makes me feel at peace.

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These have been so helpful for the past few days. To be honest, I try to fill all of them even when I’m feeling good. They help me understand better how I might be feeling. And they make me feel so good, I don’t see why I would skip on it!

Which prompt resonated the most with you? Do you have another one that just hits that sweet spot for you?

Have a lovely, loving week !

Best,

Lou

✍️ Dear language learner

Learn your target language with useful sentences! Here are a few to translate to test yourself. If they’re relevant to you, you can add them to your notes or spaced-repetition system.

🌱 Beginner

What am I scared of?

🌿 Intermediate

How is this the best thing that happened to me today?

🌳 Advanced

If I repeated everything I did today, would I get closer to where I'd want to be?

Thank you for reading “I heard from Lou”. It can be hard to find people who share your passion for learning. If you have friends who might like this letter, let them know.