57 Morning Journal Prompts To Start Your Day

Morning journal prompts are ideal to use at the start of your day with purpose and intention. Whether you want journal prompts to help you be more productive, support your mental health, or practice gratitude, you’ll find inspiration below.

The best part is that there are so many journal prompts you can use first thing in the morning.  Depending on where your mindset is and what your goals are for the day. 

So, grab a cup of tea or coffee and your favorite notebook and let’s get into it!

Related: 125 Monday Morning Affirmations for a Fresh Start

My Top 3 Morning Journal Prompts

I find that these first 3 morning journal prompts can have a huge impact on how your day goes. These prompts are my personal go-to’s…

1. What are your top 3 goals for today?

List just 3 things so you don’t overwhelm yourself with a massive to-do list. 

2. Release your worries. Write anything and everything that is on your mind.

Ideal when you have trouble sleeping and you’re ruminating at night.

3. What are three things you’re grateful for this morning?

Starting your morning with gratitude sets the stage for the entire day. Just simply write down 3 things you are grateful for. 

TIP: If you need a hand coming up with ideas check out my gratitude journal with 52 gratitude journal prompts that will help you truly reflect on your blessings in life.

More Morning Journal Prompts (4 – 25)

4. What went well yesterday?

The perfect journal prompt if you need a reminder of your accomplishments and successes.

5. List the healthy foods you’ll eat today.

Deciding what healthy food you’ll consume first thing in the morning makes it much easier to commit to actually eating this food. Once you write the list, go ahead and prep this food so it’s easily accessible when you are hungry.

6. Write about a passion you have… and how you’ll make more time for it.

Starting your day with a journal prompt like this can provide a ton of inspiration and creative thinking. This i

8. What is one thing you can do to practice self-care today?

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed this is the perfect way to start your day. Decide on a self-care activity and do it today. 

Here are some self-care examples to provide you with a little inspiration:

• Go for a walk at lunchtime
• Read for at least 15 minutes
• Practice saying no, so you can protect your time
• Call a friend for a chat

10. What is my mood this morning?

Not only write down how you’re feeling, but try and think about why you’re feeling this way. Whether your mood is positive or negative, reflect on why the mood is coming up.

Try these free mood tracking worksheets to give you a helping hand. 

11. What simple act of kindness can you do today?

Create a shortlist and choose something from this list to prioritize. Helping people out – being kind and going out of your way to make someone’s day can be just as enjoyable for you as it is for them.

12. How can you look after your mental health today?

Take some time to reflect on this morning’s journal prompt and then get to writing. The key here is to dig deep into what you need to support your emotional health. 

Note: I go in and out of depression and if you’re like me you most likely have a list in your mind of the things you keep meaning to do, but you put them off.

Here’s an example:

• Talk to your doctor about getting help (if you really need it)
• Do something physical that feels really good
• Get in touch with a new social worker or psychologist to start up talk therapy again
• Simply make your bed, have a shower, and get dressed – and put on a little makeup if this makes you feel good.
• Tell your spouse that you need more support

14. What is a bad habit I want to let go of?

Once you identify this bad habit, write down how you will take the first step today to work on letting this go.

Some examples of bad habits & a first step to take:

• Biting your nails – get a pedicure
• Perfectionism – allowing yourself to complete something without it being 110%
• Unhealthy eating – hide or remove bad food from the house
• Not sleeping well – create a new evening routine.
• Sitting down for long periods of time – set a timer every hour to get up and move

15. My ideal daily routine is…

Before writing this down, think about a couple of different scenarios. For example, what does your daily routine look like during the week vs the weekend or in the summer vs. the winter?

Think about a routine that feels good for you and helps you feel accomplished and rested today.

16. Do a brain dump of everything on your mind.

I mean everything! 

• To-do list for work and home
• Creative writing ideas
• Negative feelings that are popping up
• Any brilliant ideas you have
• Anything – and everything

17. Last night I dreamt…

Describe anything you remember and contemplate what the meanings might be.

This is a great morning journal prompt if you are a vivid dreamer (like myself) – especially if you come up with crazy ideas in your sleep – you know… how to make 1 million dollars, ways to solve world hunger, or even a fantasy novel you’ve been wanting to write!

18. Write about some positive things in your life.

It might be a favorite thing, a favorite person, or a positive experience.

19. A message to my future self…

This is great to give your future self-encouragement, motivation, or support. Choose something that will feel good when you read it in the future. 

A good time to do this is when you’re feeling happy and positive so this positivity will transcend onto your these morning pages.

20. The following things bring me joy…

Think about the simple pleasures in your life that make you happy and feel good.

List little things such as that first sip of freshly brewed coffee, to bigger things like the laugh of your children.

21. How will you show someone extra love today?

Is there someone in your life who needs some support? Whether it’s a friend going through a hard time or a family member who’s feeling lonely, write down how you will show them some love today.

22. What do you want to manifest in your life?

Write as if you already have this thing and explain what it feels like to have it and how your daily life will be. Go into as many details as possible.

23. How do you want to feel at the end of the day?

Focusing on this feeling can be truly powerful, as it will help you rethink how you go about your day.

For example, if you want to feel accomplished, you’ll most likely take charge of your day in a new way. Or, if you want to feel well rested you might allocate time for self-care. 

24. What are some of my best positive qualities?

Think about all aspects of your life… career, personality, social interactions, physical qualities. Create as long of a list as you can.

Tip: If you need a helping hand creating this like here’s an article that will give you inspiration – 125 Beautiful Things To Love About Yourself

25. 3 things I’m proud of accomplishing this week are…

These can be things at work, home or on a personal level.

Morning Journal Prompts For Self-Care (26 – 42)

26. Today I will treat myself to…

27. What’s on my mind today?

28. What’s something that’s been worrying you recently that you are ready to let go of?

29. Who can I call or speak to today that brings me joy?

30. Is my daily schedule manageable? If not, how can I improve it?

31. What does self-care look like for me today?

32. What does my body need today to feel good?

33. What small steps can I take today to get out of my comfort zone?

34. When did I last do something that I truly loved?

35. What can I remove from my weekly to-do list?

36. What areas of my life can I ask for help?

37. What puts me in a good mood? And how I can do more of this?

38.  How can I make time for what I need most?

39. How can I celebrate my wins?

40. How can you be kinder to yourself this week?

41. What are some boundaries you need to set in your life?

42. How will you implement these boundaries?

Morning Journal Prompts For Positive Thinking

43. What am I looking forward to in the next 6 to 12 months?

44. How can I live my best life?

45. What small things make me smile?

46. List 5 things that give you the motivation to keep going when things get tough.

47. Where do I need motivation today?

48. What could have gone better today and what change will I make for tomorrow?

49. Write about a place that makes you feel at peace. 

50. What would you be proud to share with your past self?

51. Write about a challenge you have overcome.

52. Think of something that hasn’t gone well recently. What did you learn?

Morning Journal Prompts To Boost Productivity

53. What is your most productive time to get things done? Morning, afternoon, evening?

54. What is your #1 goal today?

55. List step by step how you will achieve this goal.

56. What time will you take breaks today? (Book them in your calendar)

57. Write your to-do list for today. Create a separate list for work and personal.

Tips For Your Morning Journal Practice

• Use these daily journal prompts for inspiration. They are not set in stone but can help guide you toward a topic
• Choose the right topic for the right day. If you need to support personal growth, use a goals or habits prompt, or if you’re experiencing negative emotions, choose a prompt that will boost your mood.
• Find some quiet space and time to write. Using daily writing prompts is about self-reflection and you can’t do this if you’re kid is pulling at your pant leg. So, find a good time and place so you can create positive energy for your journaling practice
• Use these prompts on a daily basis to make them part of your morning routine
• Keep this list of journal prompts on hand, that way you can get to writing right away without looking for them.
• A little bit is better than not at all. If you only have 2 minutes to write, that’s okay – write anyway.
• Use these journal writing prompts more than once. You’d be amazed how different things will come up for you.

I hope you found as much inspiration in these journaling prompts as I did while writing them.

Here’s to starting your day off right so you can make positive choices, support your emotional well-being, and live with intention.

Happy journaling!

More Resources To Help With Your Morning Journal Routine

Check out these helpful resources to help with your morning journaling.

• 5 Types of Journaling For Mental Health
• 30 Self-Love Journal Prompts To Boost Self Esteem
• 60 Self-Reflection Questions & Journal Prompts
• 52 Gratitude Journal Prompts To Increase Happiness
• 30 Self-Care Journal Prompts For Better Mental Health

What morning journal prompts do you love the most?

Share in the comments below to inspire others!