10 Journal Prompts for Self Love & Reflection

November 10, 2025

What is your earliest happy memory?

Full Journal prompt list at the end.

Growing Up & People Pleasing

Growing up, I wanted to be the good girl. The person that doesn't cause problems. The person who makes others feel happier, more full of light in their company.

And have you felt that too? The urge to become a wallflower in the room of a party you threw for others? You may have even been raised believing that such empathy was virtuous and brave.

But people pleasing neglects the truth-

That those you love in your life also want you to be happy. No one is better off as a result of you denying your needs.

Learning Boundaries

I've heard once that boundaries are the distance at which I love both you and me at the same time.

How do I become my centered self without becoming... self centered?

Somehow, I find the answer by watching cats.

This week I attended an art market and met Margaret. She sent me a photo of her two cats cuddling.

Margaret told me she first encountered my work (watercolor paintings & prints), at Love Notes, my month-long pop up during September.

We chatted for a bit about the way cats help us feel more at home, (and their masterful exploitation of the cat distribution system).

But my fascination with cats runs deeper than just how cute they are or how sweet they are as companions in our homes.

Cats have always been a symbol of boundaries.

Since a young age, I've been fascinated by their way to be so unbothered. How they warn when they're starting to get upset, and swipe when the warning is disregarded. They're excellent communicators of their needs, and choose to trust people wisely.

Whenever I have trouble identifying my own boundaries, I (weirdly enough) ask myself:

What would a cat do?

The answer is: Hiss first, swipe later.

So I try to get better at noticing when my body dislikes something. Unfortunately, it's not socially acceptable to hiss, so I must instead use my words, (haha).

Returning Home To Yourself

By constantly prioritizing other's needs above your own, you weaken the muscle memory required to return to yourself.

It creeps up in the empty hours. When you're alone in your room after a long day, and still find yourself prioritizing others. Wondering how you can help make the best dinner for your family, if you can carve out time to do that thing a friend asked of you.

But where is the room for you in this world you built for others?

There is always a path home to yourself.

It all starts with the curiosity to look for the you you left behind.

Open up your journal, and make yourself your favorite comfort beverage. Have a little date with yourself today. Take one or two of these journal prompts designed for self love and reflection- or perhaps, journal them all.

Journal Prompts

What is your earliest happy memory? Dig into the details. How did it feel, smell, sound, to be there in that moment of time?
What was your favorite thing that happened over the last two weeks? Write about it as if you're telling a friend, start to finish, all the tea.
What is the one food, snack, or comfort beverage you always return to, time and time again? When was the last time you had that comfort snack? Describe the day, or if you can't remember it, describe an ideal day in the future.
What's your favorite song right now? Do you remember the first time you heard it?
Why is it your favorite song? Describe where this song takes you- start to finish.
What is your favorite kind of tree, flower, or part of nature? (Also, draw a little doodle if it suits you!)
If you could have one superpower what would it be? Describe why you chose that power, and what life would look like with it. Get specific.
If you could talk to yourself 5 years ago, what do you think they would need to hear most right now?
What's one thing you wish you saw more of in the world?
What's one way you can create a little more of that same thing?