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Holy smokes, I don’t know about you but my anxiety has been through the roof lately! I feel like the mom in Pride and Prejudice, with “tremblings, such flutterings all over me– such spasms in my side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day.”

To help myself combat it all, I’ve been exercising and doing yoga, going for walks outside, trying to get enough sleep, doing my best to not eat my feelings, and processing my thoughts by writing in my journal.

I’ve been an off and on journal writer over the years. My writing goes in spurts, and that’s ok. At least I wrote when I felt the need to. With all that has been going on during this pandemic and my daughter’s diagnosis, it feels like an important time to pull out the journal. If anything, just for my own mental clarity. Writing seems to help me work through the tangled mess that sometimes is my insides.

Perhaps that sounds odd, but there are several proven benefits of journal writing. Yep, it really is good for you.

Health Benefits of Journaling

• Reduces stress, anxiety, and helps with depression
• Gives perspective, clarity, and can help work through pain/trauma
• Improves immune function
• Keeps memory sharp
• Boosts mood
• Strengthens emotional functions & helps the brain regulate emotions

With that in mind, I put together a list of journal prompts to help myself in processing my feelings, frustrations, and anxieties involving these unique times. I thought I’d share here in case writing helps you too. Don’t feel like you need to work through the whole list. The questions are just meant to prompt thoughts and get your pen moving. Answer 1, or 10, or all of these journal prompts over the course of the next few weeks. Whatever helps you find some clarity and peace.

50 Journal Prompts to help work through Quarantine/Self Isolation

1. Who will you hug first when this is all over?
2. Has a certain spot in your home become your go-to? Why?
3. What does your daily routine look like?
4. What have you missed the most?
5. Is there anything you’ve realized you can do without?
6. How has this experience changed you?
7. What has been the most challenging part?
8. If you could travel or go anywhere, where would you go?
9. Have you learned or tried anything new?
10. What makes you smile?
11. Have you turned to anything for comfort?
12. What has been your favorite quarantine hobby?
13. What would you say to the pre-pandemic you?
14. Have you had any odd or memorable dreams?
15. What has kept you feeling sane?
16. What has been on your quarantine playlist?
17. Do you remember your hardest day?
18. Describe your sweetest moment during this pandemic.
19. Describe the best thing you’ve eaten.
20. What is something you’ve realized?
21. What’s the first thing you want to do after this is over?
22. Where/what do you want to eat first?
23. Name one thing you have completed while at home.
24. Are there words that have uplifted you?
25. Have you given up something?
26. Have you been angry or sad, why?
27. What do you hope is different after this?
28. Is there anything you will continue after things pick back up again?
29. What brings you peace?
30. Favorite thing you’ve done?
31. Best smell?
32. What gives you energy or a pick me up?
33. What has been your favorite sight?
34. If you had the extra cash what would you change about your house?
35. Do you want to try a new skill?
36. Are you waking up early or sleeping in?
37. Has anything stood out to you through this experience?
38. Did you see something magical today?
39. What would make this experience easier for you?
40. Name 3 things you are grateful for.
41. What do you need more of in your life?
42. What would you like less of?
43. Is there something you could stop doing to make yourself happier?
44. What do you feel in control of at this moment?
45. How are you showing love to others right now?
46. Describe a pandemic/isolation related experience you’ll never forget.
47. What is a luxury you are thankful for?
48. What skill has helped you through this?
49. Name 5 things that have been good about this experience.
50. Who/what inspires you right now?

Perhaps even here I am growing

I love this thought from writer Morgan Harper Nichols, “Perhaps, even here, I am growing. When the days are long and I do not feel as strong and when the hours go by slower than they ever have before, and sun is shining and I am lost indoors, perhaps even here, I am growing. Learning to be at peace in what does not make sense to me. Perhaps, even here I am growing.”

I hope these journal prompts help you process what you’re experiencing. Wishing you love, safety, and light in the coming days and weeks, my friend. And growth… so much growth.

May we come out of this better than before.