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October 23, 2024 • 10 mins

50 January Journal Prompts

What's the secret to turning fleeting joy into a year-long habit? Discover how January journaling prompts can do just that. In this episode, we unpack the transformative power of journaling by focusing on prompts designed to help you uncover recent moments of joy, align your actions with your priorities, and reflect on last year's major lessons. We'll guide you through the essential act of self-reflection, helping you gain valuable insights and use your past experiences as stepping stones for personal growth.

Imagine creating a daily routine that's not just about productivity, but truly about finding fulfillment. In the second chapter, we help you craft your ideal daily blueprint with specific, manageable goals for physical health, like drinking more water, adding more veggies to your meals, or trying out that Zumba class you've been curious about. While life transformation doesn't happen overnight, we'll show you how intentional efforts can bring you closer to your vision, one step at a time. Join us with an open mind and curiosity, and you'll uncover new aspects of yourself, setting the stage for a joyful and fulfilling year ahead.

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, folks, get ready, because we're diving
into something bothintrospective, a&d-inspiring.
This time around you ready?
It's all about journaling.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
And not just any journaling.
We're talking about how usingspecific prompts, especially in
January, can really be acatalyst for well transformation
.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
And that's what we're all about here at the Deep Dive
Right.
So to get us started, we'retaking a look at this blog post.
It's called 50 January JournalPrompts by Clara Penrose.
Right, clara Penrose.
It's chock full of these reallyinsightful questions, and
they're categorized sothoughtfully too.
It's great.
You can really tailor the wholeexperience.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Exactly, personal growth is well personal right.
So this structure lets you honein on the areas that maybe feel
most relevant to you at thispoint in your life.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Totally.
And you know I got to be honest, when I first heard January
prompts I was a little like, hmm, ok, but some of these they
really got me thinking Like.
There's one that asks you todescribe a recent moment of joy.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
And then it asks how you can create more of those
moments throughout the year Likehello.
So simple.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
But it makes you stop and really think, doesn't it
exactly?
Instead of just hoping forthose moments of joy, you're
actively kind of I don't know,seeking them out and then
thinking about what brought themabout in the first place?

Speaker 1 (01:16):
yes, and then you start to notice patterns like
what really brings you joy, andthat's powerful stuff.
You can take that with you allyear long.
What's something that broughtyou joy recently, maybe a
conversation or something, Idon't know.
Just write it down.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
You might be surprised by what you discover.
Honestly, you'll likely startto realize that those joyful
moments, they're often muchsimpler than we realize and when
you reflect on them well, itcan actually help you cultivate
more of that feeling in yourlife.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
It's like a roadmap for happiness.
Okay, so speaking of roadmaps,let's talk goals.

Speaker 2 (01:50):
Always a popular topic, especially as we, you
know, head toward a new year.

Speaker 1 (01:54):
For sure.
And there's a prompt in thispost.
It really resonated with me.
It says describe your idealwork-life balance.
I mean, isn't that somethingwe're all striving for in some
way?

Speaker 2 (02:03):
It's definitely universal aspiration, yeah, but
what that balance actually lookslike, it's different for
everyone, right?

Speaker 1 (02:09):
Totally.
For some people it might bereally clear cut like very
defined boundaries between theirwork life and their personal
life.
For others, it might be moreabout finding a way to integrate
their passions into their work,finding that sweet spot where
it doesn't even really feel likework.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
Right.
This prompt really encouragesyou to think about what that
looks like for you and to thinkabout what are your priorities
and how do your actions eitheralign with those or maybe not so
much.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
And once you've identified those things, that's
where the real magic happens,right?
Because then you can starttaking steps to create that
work-life flow that feels goodfor you.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
And that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Figuring out what works for youas an individual?

Speaker 1 (02:51):
100%.
And you know what I love aboutthese prompts it's not just
about writing down some to-dolist.
It's really about getting tothe heart of well, what do you
want?
How do you want to live yourlife?

Speaker 2 (02:57):
They're designed to be a starting point, a catalyst
for self-reflection, explorationand, ultimately, change.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
I catalyst for self-reflection, exploration and
, ultimately, change.
I'm feeling inspired justtalking about it and, believe me
, this is just the tip of theiceberg.
We've got a whole bunch moreprompts to explore, so don't go
anywhere, all right, we'll beback in a flash.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
It's going to be good .

Speaker 1 (03:15):
And we're back diving deeper into these January
journaling prompts.
You're ready to keep going?

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Absolutely Always more to uncover.

Speaker 1 (03:23):
So reflection, it's kind of a big deal right.
And there's this one prompt.
It really made me stop andthink.
It asks you to think back onthe past year and pinpoint three
major lessons, things you'velearned.

Speaker 2 (03:36):
Oh, I like that one.

Speaker 1 (03:37):
Right, but it goes further.
It asks how those lessons?
Well, how they're going toshape your actions going forward
.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
Because it's so easy to just let the year fly by, you
know, without really absorbingthose experiences.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
Totally, and this prompt, it's like it forces you
to really examine thosetakeaways.
What were those challenges, thesurprises?
Did you learn something newabout yourself?
I don't know, maybe a strengthyou didn't know you had, or even
a weakness, right?

Speaker 2 (04:02):
Right.
It's about turning thoseexperiences into wisdom.
It's like hmm, almost likeholding up a mirror to the past
year, seeing yourself reflectedin it yes, and then like using
that reflection to make the nextyear even better.
Creating a roadmap for personalgrowth.
I love that.

Speaker 1 (04:22):
OK.
So this next one's a littlelighter, but still really
powerful.
I think it says write about amemorable event from the past
year, right.
But then it asks what made itstand out?
How did it impact you?
It just makes me want to grabmy journal and reminisce, you
know.

Speaker 2 (04:31):
It's the power of storytelling, isn't it Reliving
those moments, the big ones, thesmall ones?
It helps solidify them, makesthem even more meaningful, I
think.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Right, and those stories, all those little
details, they really do make upthe I don't know, the tapestry
of our lives, don't they?

Speaker 2 (04:49):
What about you?
What would be a memorable eventyou'd write about?
Oh gosh, there are so many, Ithink.
For me it'd probably be arecent trip I took.
It was eye-opening, reallybeautiful.
You know how travel can be.

Speaker 1 (04:57):
The best right.
Okay, this next prompt.
It's speaking directly to mywell, my inner overthinker which
, let's be real, is pretty muchevery day it says think about a
challenge you faced last year.

Speaker 2 (05:11):
So far, so good right , we all face them.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
Exactly.
But then it asks how did youovercome it and what did you
learn from the experience?
Because challenges, well,they're inevitable, right,
they're going to happen.

Speaker 2 (05:22):
Life right.
It's all about how we viewthose challenges.

Speaker 1 (05:25):
Yes, and sometimes you need a little reminder like,
hey, remember that time youthought you couldn't handle
something, but you did.

Speaker 2 (05:32):
And you came out stronger on the other side.

Speaker 1 (05:34):
Exactly so this prompt, it's kind of a little
boost, you know like you've gotthis.
You've done hard things before.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Because challenges often lead to some of the most
valuable lessons.

Speaker 1 (05:44):
Truth.
Okay, one more before we moveon to our final set here, and
this one it's all about byFebruary, right, it's about
those things that light you up.

(06:10):
Maybe you've always wanted towrite a children's book or learn
I don't know how to play theukulele or finally organize that
, that one drawer in the kitchen.

Speaker 2 (06:20):
That's just, you know , a mystery to everyone the junk
drawer.

Speaker 1 (06:23):
Yes, you get me.
But seriously, the key here isto take that big, exciting goal
and break it down right.

Speaker 2 (06:30):
Make it manageable.

Speaker 1 (06:31):
Exactly Because, even the most daunting projects,
they all have to start somewhere.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
One step at a time.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
Okay, I'm feeling inspired, and you know what else
I love about these prompts.
They're not just for January,sure Like.
They're great tools to revisitanytime.
You feel, I don't know, alittle stuck maybe or just want
to hit that refresh button.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Check in with yourself.

Speaker 1 (06:51):
Exactly.
Okay, we are on a roll here,but we do need to take a quick
break.
Don't worry, we'll be back withour final set of prompts in
just a bit, so stay tuned.

Speaker 2 (07:02):
And we are back, ready to round out this deep
dive with our final set ofjournaling prompts.

Speaker 1 (07:07):
Let's do it.

Speaker 2 (07:08):
So we talked about reflection, we talked about goal
setting, but what aboutrelationships?
Those are a pretty importantpart of life.

Speaker 1 (07:14):
Absolutely.
Couldn't agree more.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
And you know, this wouldn't be a deep dive without
a prompt to really make us thinkabout those relationships.
There's one in this blog post.
It says identify a relationshipyou want to strengthen.

Speaker 1 (07:27):
OK, yeah.

Speaker 2 (07:28):
But then here's the kicker.
It asks what actions can youtake to improve it?
What are you actually going todo about it?

Speaker 1 (07:35):
It's action-oriented.
I like that.
It's not just about thinkingabout it, it's about taking
those steps to actually nurturethose connections.
Yeah, totally.
And it's a good reminder,because it's so easy to just get
caught up in the day-to-day,you know, and we forget to
really show up for those peoplewho mean the most to us.
So how do WE do that?
How do we strengthen thosebonds?
I don't know about you, but I'malways looking for ways to be

(07:56):
more present, more intentionalin my relationships.
What about you?

Speaker 2 (07:59):
I think that's something we can all work on
right being more present.

Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (08:02):
Because those relationships, they really are
the heart of a happy life,wouldn't you say?

Speaker 1 (08:11):
100% Okay.
This next prompt.
It speaks to my practical side,the part of me that full
disclosure kind of loves a goodspreadsheet.
It's about finances.

Speaker 2 (08:17):
Oh yeah, I got to have it.

Speaker 1 (08:17):
Right.
It says what is your financialgoal for this year?
So far, so good, Right.
But then it asks how will youbudget and save to achieve it?
So it's getting real right,like let's put those plans into
action.

Speaker 2 (08:31):
It's one thing to have a goal, it's another to,
you know, create a path to getthere.
And that's what this prompt isall about, I think Empowering
you to take control of yourfinances.

Speaker 1 (08:40):
Exactly Because, whether it's saving for a big
purchase or finally tacklingthat debt, or just creating a
sense of security for the future, it all starts with a plan.

Speaker 2 (08:49):
And it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Just start with small steps,you know.

Speaker 1 (08:52):
Absolutely All right, ready for a prompt that's both
challenging and empowering?
Here it is.
It asks set a goal for yourphysical health, ok, ok, we've
all heard that one before, right, but here's where it gets
interesting.

Speaker 2 (09:06):
I'm intrigued.
Tell me more.

Speaker 1 (09:08):
It goes on to ask what changes will you make to
your diet and exercise routine?
So it's about getting specific,Like what are the actual,
tangible things you're going todo to take care of your physical
well-being?

Speaker 2 (09:19):
I like it because it's not just about like I want
to be healthier.
It's about what does thatactually look like in your
day-to-day life?
What changes feel manageable,sustainable for you?

Speaker 1 (09:30):
Totally.
Maybe it's as simple asdrinking more water, or maybe
it's incorporating more veggiesinto your diet, or maybe it's
finally trying that Zumba classyou've been curious about.
Whatever it is, it's aboutfinding what works for you and
committing to it.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
Because our bodies, they're pretty amazing right,
yeah.
They deserve our care andattention.

Speaker 1 (09:47):
You- really do.
Okay, we've reached the finalprompt of our deep dive, and
this one, it's all aboutenvisioning your ideal day.

Speaker 2 (09:55):
Ooh, I love this one.

Speaker 1 (09:56):
Me too.
It asks imagine your ideal day.
Pretty straightforward, right,but then it goes deeper.
What activities would youinclude and how would you feel
at the end of the day?
Like let's really paint thatpicture.

Speaker 2 (10:07):
It's like creating a blueprint for a life that feels
joyful and fulfilling.

Speaker 1 (10:11):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (10:11):
And the beautiful thing is, you can start
incorporating those elementsinto your actual life.

Speaker 1 (10:16):
Exactly.
And you know what I think is socool about this prompt?
It's a great reminder that wehave the power to create the
kind of life we want to live.
It might not happen overnight,but with intention and a little
bit of effort we can move closerto that vision, one day at a
time.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into the world of January
journaling, I want to encourageyou to approach these prompts

(10:37):
with curiosity, with an openmind and with a willingness to
really listen to yourself.
You might be surprised by whatyou discover.
And remember, this is just thebeginning.
Take these prompts, make themyour own and let them guide you
on your own personal journey ofself.
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