50 More Reflection Prompts for Journaling and Conversation

Our first collection of fifty reflection prompts explained why we replaced the usual list of inspirational quotes with questions: many popular quotes are misattributed, and a good question often does more than a borrowed line. Here are fifty more, organised around different areas of life.

How to use them

• Daily journaling: pick one prompt each morning or evening and write for five to ten minutes.
• Weekly review: choose two or three prompts that fit your week.
• Conversation: use them over dinner with a partner, friend or family. Children often have surprising answers to the simpler ones.
• Hard times: when you feel stuck, choose a prompt from the "change" or "resilience" sections.

Don't worry about writing well. The aim is honesty, not polish.

Work and contribution

1. What part of my work gives me the most energy?
2. What part of my work would I happily never do again?
3. What am I good at that I undervalue?
4. If I could design my ideal working week, what would it include?
5. Who at work could I help this week?
6. What skill would make my work easier or more interesting?
7. What does "enough" success look like for me?
8. What would I do if I knew I'd be paid the same for anything?

Money

9. What did I learn about money growing up?
10. What purchase in the past year brought me the most lasting happiness?
11. What do I spend money on that I don't really value?
12. What would feeling financially secure look like for me?
13. What's one small step I could take this month to improve my finances?
14. How do I feel when I think about money, and why?

Health and energy

15. When do I feel most energetic during the day?
16. What does my body need more of right now?
17. What's one healthy habit I've kept, and why has it stuck?
18. How well have I been sleeping, and what affects it?
19. What kind of movement do I actually enjoy?
20. What helps me relax when I'm stressed?

Change and resilience

21. What's a challenge I've overcome that I'm proud of?
22. What change am I resisting, and why?
23. What would I tell a friend in my situation?
24. What's within my control right now?
25. What have difficult times taught me about myself?
26. Who could I ask for help?
27. What's one thing I can do today to feel a little better?
28. What story am I telling myself about this situation, and is it true?

Creativity and play

29. When did I last make something just for fun?
30. What creative project have I been putting off?
31. What would I try if nobody would ever see the result?
32. What inspires me?
33. What did I enjoy playing as a child?
34. Where do my best ideas come from?

Joy and meaning

35. What are three small things that reliably make me happy?
36. What's a moment from the past month I want to remember?
37. What makes me laugh?
38. Where do I feel most at peace?
39. What am I most looking forward to this year?
40. What's a tradition I'd like to start?

Looking ahead

41. Where would I like to be in five years?
42. What's one thing I want to learn this year?
43. What would make next year better than this one?
44. What do I want my days to feel like?
45. Who do I want to become?
46. What's one dream I've set aside that I could revisit?
47. What am I willing to give up to get what I want?
48. What's the next small step?
49. What legacy would I like to leave?
50. What question would I most like answered about my own life?

Keeping your answers

Many people find it rewarding to keep their answers and reread them months later. You'll notice how your thinking has changed and which themes keep coming back. Those recurring themes often point to what matters most.

If you'd like a structured way to turn reflection into action, try our Just for Today Challenge or write a life list.

Related: the first step in finding meaning for your life and why you need an ideas book.