8 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts
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8 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts for Daily Soul Care

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Ever feel scattered? Icky in your skin? Try using daily self-reflection journal prompts for some serious soul care.

Sometimes it seems like you can’t quite squeeze in the soul love you need until you’re about to crash into bed.

Friend, you are God’s beloved!

Your life matters (in a huge, He designed YOU to make an impact kind of way)!!

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.

I encourage you to take a few minutes each day to intentionally self-reflect about your day, thoughts, and feelings.

In this post, you’ll find out what self-reflection is, why it matters for God’s beloved, ways to self-reflect, the importance of giving yourself grace to pivot, and a few prompts to inspire you to take care of your soul.

Let’s dive in!

What is self-reflection?

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what self-reflection is.

Here’s one take that I particularly appreciate:

Self-reflection is deliberate time set aside to slow down in the busyness of your life to look back on your day, month or year in an attempt to learn from your experiences, desires, and feelings

Seattle Christian Counseling

Merriam-Webster lists these synonyms for self-reflection

  • Introspection
  • Self-contemplation
  • Self-examination
  • Self-observation
  • Self-questioning
  • Self-scrutiny
  • Self-searching
  • Soul-searching

Whoa!

via GIPHY

On one hand, you might see these terms as super exciting (“Soul-searching? Count me in!”). Yet on the other hand, some terms might be more intimidating (“Self-scrutiny? Yikes!”).

Basically, self-reflection is a great way to intentionally ponder your experience, thoughts, and feelings.

Living as God’s beloved: Where self-reflection comes in

As God’s beloved, your life matters SO MUCH. God calls us to intentionally love Him with our hearts, souls, bodies, and mind.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus also commanded us to examine ourselves for our own sins first.

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?

Paul writes about how important it is for our minds to be transformed by God. I love how the Amplified Bible translation puts it.

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

By focusing your mind on godly values and ethical attitudes, you can become more like Christ!

That, my friends, is what self-reflection is truly all about – leaning into our God-given identity as his beloved so we can become more like Him!

8 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts for Daily Soul Care - with journal

You’ve got so many ways to self-reflect!

While journaling digitally is my go-to approach for self-reflection, it may not be your style. Here are a few ways you can self-reflect:

  • Journaling with pen and paper and/or digitally
  • Meditation
  • Walking or exercising (Hello, healthy happy movement!)
  • Speaking aloud and recording your thoughts
  • Dialoguing about these questions with a caring companion

More ideas can be found in this article: 15 Essential Ways to Practice Self-Reflection.

Give Yourself Grace to Pivot

Give yourself grace about self-reflection

Your self-reflection doesn’t always have to happen in the same way at the same time.

Sure, being consistent is key to developing great habits.

But it’s also okay to pivot when you need to.

Maybe you’ve got some physical distractions that make it hard to be present – overtired, achy body, hungry, etc.

Perhaps you’ve got just too much going on to slow down your brain. (Hint: That might be a clue you actually need to take a 5-minute pause!)

Please, please don’t let guilt or shame be your driver. This ought to be a life-giving practice, not a soul-sucking yet-another-to-do-list item.

Whatever it is – give yourself grace to pivot. To pause.

It’s okay to be human.

Need a little more grace in your life? Here are 6 Practical Ideas to Focus on Grace in 2021.

6 Practical Ideas to Focus on Grace

Daily self-reflection journal prompts

Below are several self-reflection prompts that I come back to over and over again to evaluate my day, thoughts, and emotions.

They are just soul-good!

Truth or encouragement to dwell on

After several days of feeling just not right in my skin, I chatted about it with my dearest and cutest friend, my husband.

Since I already review my priorities for the next day the evening before, he suggested I also pick a truth or Scripture to dwell on, too.

That way I could start my day with a simple truth or encouraging statement just waiting for me.

Less decision fatigue! A simple, soul-good start to the day! Yay!

Isn’t he the coolest guy?!

When you take time for self-reflection, it can be soul-good to dwell on a short Scripture or mantra to focus your thoughts and emotions.

And… if you don’t have the time to really sit down for a deep dive study, this can also be really user-friendly. Put your focus statement somewhere prominent so you can be reminded of it multiple times a day.

Some truths to dwell on

  • Specific scriptures
  • I have God-given gifts to share with the world
  • Take a pause – less input. More output.
  • What my people need most from me is my presence
  • Be present. Be at rest. Play.
  • He is all I need.
  • Do the hard work.
  • Be still first. One thing at a time.
  • Reset each moment if you need to. That’s okay.
  • Holy Spirit, you are here.
  • His grace is enough.

The scripture you’re focusing on + thoughts

If you’re pursuing your own deeper Scripture study, then writing out your thoughts and observations may help you gain a deeper grasp of God’s message.

This can help you not just read the text but also think about the text.

Here’s some information about the power of journaling.

Heart Dump or Brain Dump

Things weighing on your heart? Too much busy in your brain? Dump it out.

Don’t overthink it or try to say it perfectly. Just spill it out.

Along the way, you might actually discover how to deal with what’s nagging you!

Here’s some more information about brain dumps:

Unfortunately, there’s not much out there about heart dumps. Perhaps I need to write that post!

Woman praying
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Prayer Focus

As God’s beloved, we’re called to pray unceasingly.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Let’s be honest – we’ve been given this crazy awesome gift to talk with our Creator all the time, anywhere. Talk about incredible!

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to forget to consciously connect with God about people on my heart.

In my own prayer life, it’s been life-giving to have a rhythm of being more intentional in my conversations with God about the people and passions I love.

For instance, I tend to pray specifically for my husband and son in the mornings, for church and Coffee Chats and Yoga Mats during naptime, and for people on my heart and just praising God in the evenings.

This is NOT about being legalistic in your prayer life. A prayer rhythm has helped me more intentionally connect with God. If you find this helpful, awesome! If you don’t, that’s okay!

It may help you to zoom in on particular relationships, concerns, or passions to intentionally and thoughtfully pray about them.

A few areas of life you might want to pray over

  • Connecting with God
  • Spouse or significant other
  • Children
  • Extended family and friends
  • God’s body of believers, the church
  • Your career/passions
  • People on your heart
  • Praise

Gratitude / Wonders / Wins

Gratitude: What are you thankful for? Curious to learn more? How to Make a Gratitude List.

Personally, I just don’t get excited about writing gratitude lists. I’ve done it for months at a time and just don’t look forward to it.

So, instead, I focus on my wonders and wins.

Wonders: What’s filled you with wonder or delight?

Wonder – a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.

For me, that may include cuddling with my husband, singing loudly with my son, and watching my creamer swirl into my coffee.

Wins: What big and small victories did you have?

Sometimes this has been about how I leaned into my priorities that day, kept my cool when Little Man threw his dishes on the floor for the 10th time during a meal, got in the groove with Coffee Chats and Yoga Mats, or a day without head pain. (Huzzah!!)

(Let’s be honest: This could just be me using different terms for gratitude. I’m okay with that. It gets me to show up!)

Road sign for curved road ahead
Photo by Mark König on Unsplash

Challenges and Pivots

Some days are more challenging than others. Perhaps you lost your temper that day. Maybe you over-stacked yourself.

Brain-dumping my challenges helps me troubleshoot how I could pivot for future times OR celebrate the pivots I made.

For instance, back in April, my son wasn’t eating breakfast. It was totally demoralizing and I was internally freaking out, “He’s going to starve! What am I doing wrong?! How do I nourish my child??”

(Let’s be real: doesn’t this happen on the regular with kids? If you also struggle with getting your child to eat food, 14 Easy Mealtime Hacks for Parents of Toddlers may help. I’m not an eating expert – other than I like eating – so these are some things I’ve picked up while trying to nourish my child.)

Later that evening during my spiritual pause and self-reflection time, I jotted down my challenges and pivots:

  • Little Man wasn’t digging breakfast – have an alternative in mind &/ sweeten the cereal with honey or fruit

It’s not complicated, but stepping back for a bit and thinking proactively helped clarify what the challenge was and how I could pivot to potentially alleviate frustration.

Balloons flying away in the sky
Photo by Al Soot on Unsplash

Things you’re letting go of and giving to God now

Sometimes things just nag at you and make it hard to be present, to sleep, or other such things.

It might help you to write down what you’re letting go of and giving to God.

Will you need to do this over and over again?

Sometimes.

Does that mean something is WRONG with you?

No.

Though Peter wasn’t writing about repeat prayer concerns, he was pretty clear about casting ALL your anxieties on God.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

This simple practice has been helping me to let go of what I’m gripping onto so tightly.

Frequently, I keep coming back to it over and over again each day – like my head hurting. That’s okay. God knows my heart.

And He knows your heart, too!

Set your priorities for the next day

Most evenings during my spiritual pause and self-reflection time, I start a new daily reflection entry for the next day and sketch out my priorities for the day. Rather than deciding the day of, I’m starting with a clean slate and a clear focus for the day.

Not sure what that might look like?

Here’s the way I organize my priorities – maybe it’ll inspire you to figure out YOUR priorities!

  • Truth or encouragement to dwell on
  • Focused quality time with God (such as reading Scripture, prayer, praise, journaling, etc.)
  • Being present with those you love
  • Cup fillers or joy boosters
  • Scheduled events or activities (especially those beyond the norm – the things you’ll need help remembering or make space for)
  • Tasks (career, education, household, etc.)
  • Passion projects
  • Healthy happy movement
8 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts for Daily Soul Care - 3 images

Three resources to help you start incorporating these tips in your life

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Articles related to self-reflection journal prompts for soul-care

Wrapping up self-reflection journal prompts for soul-care

I hope these ideas inspired you to create more space in your life to self-reflect for some solid soul care.

As a quick recap, the self-reflection journal prompts discussed in this post are:

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.

Live intentionally by creating space for soul care. Start today!

P.S. Want some crazy simple steps to start living intentionally? Grab the Embrace Your Potential Playbook. It’ll help you zoom in on your God-gifted personality and give you practical tips to be more intentional, passionate, and purposeful as God’s beloved so you can become the best version of yourself.

Cortney Loui, coffee on patio

Cortney is a Christian life coach and recovering over-achiever who is passionate about helping Christian women embrace who God created them to be so they can confidently step into any season of life with passion, purpose, and peace. She’s also an ENFJ, MBTI® coach, M. Ed in College Student Development, Pilates and Yoga teacher, wife, mama, and entrepreneur. In her pre-kid life, she coordinated programs for, coached, funded, and provided leadership training for more than 60+ student organizations and 100s of university students for 7+ years. (Helping people highlight their inner awesomeness and reach their goals is her jam!)

More importantly, she’s God’s beloved.

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