Journal Prompts 4 — Letters

Continuing on with this series, and my love-letters to journaling, Part 4’s offering reiterates why making journaling a habit creates so much power. Journaling is a beautiful and powerful facilitator of self-discovery. By journaling in the morning and/or evening, you’ll quickly see your life laid bare before you— in your own handwriting, in black white; with crystal-clear clarity. You’ll see what blocks or obstacles might potentially be removed, as well as what should continue to be included and further cultivated in your life.

Letter-writing (real and imaginary) has long been a tool for self-expression— the epistolary form is intimate in ways that even private conversations cannot capture.

I wrote letters with my high school English teacher Judy Chu for over 10 years (a relationship chronicled here and in my memoir), and one of the great joys was being able to “speak to” her with a level of intimacy we never had when sitting face to face in class. I could pour my soul into the pages and confess the truth to her, and thus, to myself, that was previously unavailable to me. I vividly recall our first face-to-face meeting in an outdoor Traverse City sidewalk cafe years later, when the first hour of our meeting was an energetic adjustment to this fact: all the extraordinary intimacies shared on paper, that had never been uttered face to face. We did so, of course, and remain close to this day. But the lesson is there: letters are magical portals, not to geographic places, but to unknown, shadowy caves within our souls. Write a letter and see where it takes you.

Sincerely Yours,

Al

x

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Prompt: Write a Letter

    •    Write a letter to someone you need to forgive.

    •    Write a letter to someone who believed in you even when you didn’t believe in yourself.

    •    Write a letter to be read by each of your loved ones after you’ve passed away.

    •    Write a fan letter to your favorite actor/actress.

    •    Write a letter to the editor of your favorite magazine telling them what features you would like to see included in the magazine.

    •    Is there something you’re reluctant to tell someone?  Write a letter to help y0u organize your thoughts.

Journal Prompts 2 — Confesssions

Journaling is not just a little thing you do to pass the time, to write down your memories—though it can be—it’s a strategy that has helped brilliant, powerful and wise people become better at what they do.

Oscar Wilde, Susan Sontag, W.H. Auden, Queen Victoria, John Quincy Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Virginia Woolf, Joan Didion, John Steinbeck, Sylvia Plath, Shawn Green, Mary Chestnut, Brian Koppelman, Anaïs Nin, Franz Kafka, Martina Navratilova, and Ben Franklin. All journalers—just to name a few.

It was, for them and so many others, as Foucault said, a “weapon for spiritual combat.” A way to practice their principles, be creative and purge the mind of agitation.
It was part of who they were.
It made them who they were.
It can make you better too.

Whether you’re brand new to the concept of journaling or you’ve journaled in the past and fallen out of practice, this ultimate guide to journaling will tell you everything you need to know to help you make journaling one of the best things you do in this year and beyond. You’ll learn not only how to journal, but also about the benefits of journaling, the famous journaling of the past 2,000 years, the best journals to use, and more.

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Prompt:  Confessions

Do you have anything you would like to confess (even if it’s just to the pages of your journal)?

    •    Nobody knows that I . . .
    •    Dear ____, it weighs on me that I never told you . . .
    •    The biggest lie I’ve ever told is . . .
    •    Is there anything you feel guilty about?  Is there anything you need to be forgiven for?
    •    What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
    •    What’s your secret desire?
    •    What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done?

Journal on.

Journal Prompts 1 — Lists

“The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.” — J.M. Barrie

A pen coupled with paper can serve as a powerful life tool.

Journaling (or keeping letters or diaries) is an ancient tradition, one that dates back to at least 10th century Japan. Successful people throughout history have kept journals. Presidents have maintained them for posterity; other famous figures for their own purposes. Oscar Wilde infamously said: “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.”

All you need is a piece of paper and a writing implement. (Although some people nowadays use their computers or even wonderful journaling apps. But you could use an 18th-century mini chalkboard too. If that’s your thing. Whatever works for you.)

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How To Begin Journaling
Your journaling will be most effective if you do it daily for about 20 minutes. Begin anywhere, and forget spelling and punctuation. Privacy is key if you are to write without censor. Write quickly, as this frees your brain from “shoulds” and other blocks to successful journaling. If it helps, pick a theme for the day, week or month (for example, peace of mind, confusion, change or anger). The most important rule of all is that there are no rules.

Conclusion
I dare say that journaling is one of the most important things to do in your life. If done effectively, it will change everything in your life for the better.
You’ll become the person you want to be.
You’ll design the life you want to live.
Your relationships will be healthier and happier.
You’ll be more productive and powerful.
Enjoy.

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Prompt: Create Lists

You can create lists of many things, such as the following:

    •    Places you’ve enjoyed visiting.
    •    Things you’ve done that you previously thought you could never do.
    •    The people you most admire.
    •    Your favorite books.
    •    Your favorite movies.
    •    Your favorite songs.
    •    Your top five short term goals.
    •    Your top five long term goals.