50 Social Emotional Learning Journal Prompts
Unlock the power of your emotions and transform your personal growth journey with us as we explore the insightful practice of social emotional learning through journaling. Have you ever wondered how putting pen to paper can bolster your self-confidence and empathy? In this episode, we promise you'll discover the tools and strategies to manage your emotions by reflecting on life's highs and lows. We'll delve into Clara Penrose's enlightening blog post on journaling prompts and reveal how these can help you understand emotional triggers, build resilience, and cultivate joyful mental pathways.
Join us as we introduce a curated list of 50 transformative journaling prompts designed to inspire introspection and emotional clarity. These prompts create a judgment-free zone where you can safely explore your thoughts and feelings, enhancing your self-awareness and fostering healthier relationships. We challenge you to put empathy into action, practicing everyday kindness inspired by your journaling journey. Grab your notebook and embark on this empowering path to emotional intelligence and personal growth. Let's train your mental muscles for happiness, one journal entry at a time.
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.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
Episode Transcript
Welcome to another deep dive, and today we're going
to be doing something a littledifferent, yeah, a little more
introspective, you could say.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
We're going to be looking at 50 journal prompts
that focus on this thing calledsocial emotional learning.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Ah, so we're going to be kind of exploring our
feelings and stuff.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Exactly how to understand them, manage them,
build relationships.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
All that good stuff.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
And I think this could be really helpful for all
of us, you know, to kind ofcheck in with ourselves and
learn some new skills.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Especially in today's world.
Right, everything's moving sofast it's easy to lose track of
our own emotions.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
So our source material for this deep dive is a
blog post by Clara Penrose.
You can find it onlistallioncom.
It's called 50 Social EmotionalLearning Journal Prompts and it
was published pretty recently,november 5th 2024.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, so fresh off the press.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Now I know what you might be thinking Journaling, is
that a little bit?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
It's a teenage diary.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, exactly, but trust me, these prompts are a
lot deeper than just writingabout your day.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
They're designed to really make you think, analyze
and understand your inner world.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Exactly, and they're organized around these core
areas of social emotionallearning.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
So we've got self-awareness, self-confidence,
empathy, communication,personal growth.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
The whole shebang Should we jump right in.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Yeah, let's start with self-awareness, which I
think is so fascinating, becausesometimes it's like we don't
even know our own emotions thatwell.
It's true.
We go through life reacting tothings without really
understanding why we feel theway we do.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
It's like there's this whole universe inside us
that we haven't fully explored.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
And these prompts can help us unlock that universe.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
So let's look at a specific example here.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Sure.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Okay, this one's about frustration.
It says describe a recentmoment when you felt frustrated,
what caused it and how did youhandle those feelings?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
That's a good one.
I think we've all been thereright.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Oh yeah, definitely.
Sometimes I just kind of stewin my frustration without really
thinking about it too much.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
But that's where the journaling comes in.
It forces you to slow down andexamine those feelings.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
To figure out the why behind the frustration.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Exactly, and by doing that you can start to identify
your triggers you know thethings that set you off and then
maybe find some better ways tocope Right Instead of just
reacting.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
You're reflecting Makes sense, yeah, but how does
actually writing it down help?
I mean, it's just me in anotebook.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Well, there's actually a lot of research on
this.
They call it expressive writing, okay, and it's been shown to
reduce stress, improve emotionalregulation all sorts of
benefits.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Wow.
So it's not just about venting.
There's actual science behindit Exactly.
Kenrose mentioned somethingabout this in her post.
I like this part.
She says embracing youremotions helps you understand
yourself better.
Every feeling you experience isimportant.
Honor each one as it comes.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Yeah, it's a good reminder.
But I'm also curious aboutpositive emotions.
Do we need to journal aboutthose too?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Absolutely.
It's just as important toreflect on the good stuff.
Okay, so there are prompts forthat too, oh yeah, there's one
that asks you to think about atime when you felt really happy.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
So we're reliving those happy memories Exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
And so we're reliving those happy memories Exactly.
And the cool thing is it canactually strengthen those neural
pathways associated with joy.
So, it's like training yourbrain to be happier, kind of
like building a mental musclefor happiness.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
I like that.
Sign me up.
The more you use it, thestronger it gets.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Exactly Like going to the gym for your happiness.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Muscles- Okay, I like that analogy.
But what about self-confidence?
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Ah, good one.
Self-confidence is another areawhere journaling can be super
helpful.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
I think a lot of people struggle with that.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And Penrose includes some really good prompts to help
us explore our strengths andaccomplishments.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Okay, so what are some of those prompts?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Well, there's one that asks what is one thing
you're really good at, and howdid you get so good at it?
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Hmm, that's interesting.
Sometimes I get so caught up inmy daily grime that I forget to
even think about the things I'mgood at.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, it's easy to focus on our weaknesses, but
this prompt forces us to shiftour perspective.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
To acknowledge our successes.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Exactly and to recognize all the effort and
dedication that went intodeveloping those skills.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Makes sense.
There's another prompt thatcaught my eye too.
It says describe a time youmade a mistake, how did you
react and what did you learnfrom it.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Oh, that's a great one.
We all make mistakes, right?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Definitely, but sometimes it's hard to let go of
those mistakes.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Yeah, we can be pretty harsh on ourselves.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
But journaling can help with that.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
It can be a safe space to process those mistakes
without all the self-judgment.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
To see them as opportunities for growth instead
of failures.
Exactly I like how Penrose putsit in her post.
She says confidence grows whenyou recognize your worth.
Celebrate each achievement andremember every step forward is
something to be proud of.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, it's all about being kind to ourselves.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And that kindness extends to others too, which I
guess brings us to empathy.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
You got it.
Empathy is so crucial,especially these days when it
feels like everyone's justtalking over each other.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah, it's like we've forgotten how to actually
listen and understand otherpeople's perspectives.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
And that's where these prompts come in handy.
They encourage us to step intosomeone else's shoes.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
To consider their feelings.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Exactly.
There's one that asks describea time when someone showed you
kindness.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Oh, I like that one.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It's a good reminder of all the good that's out there
.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
And it can inspire us to be more kind ourselves.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Pay it forward.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Exactly Now.
You mentioned earlier thatreflecting on happy moments can
boost our mood.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Could there be a connection between feeling happy
and being more empathetic?
Speaker 2 (05:28):
You know there might be.
There's some research thatsuggests a link between positive
emotions and pro-socialbehavior, Meaning when we're
feeling good, we're more likelyto be helpful and compassionate
towards others.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Ah, so it's like happiness is contagious.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
In a way yeah, okay cool.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
So let's move on to the next category communication.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
This one feels especially relevant in the age
of social media, wheremiscommunication seems to be
everywhere.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You're telling me.
These prompts can help usanalyze our communication
patterns and develop moreeffective strategies for
connecting with others.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
so for example Well, there's one that asks what's one
thing you find challengingabout making new friends?
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Oh, that's a good one .
I've definitely struggled withthat in the past.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's a common challenge and by identifying
those specific challenges we canstart to work on overcoming
them.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
So instead of just complaining about being awkward,
we can actually do somethingabout it.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Right.
It's about taking ownership ofour communication and finding
ways to be more clear,empathetic and engaging.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Makes sense.
And Penrose has this great linein her article.
She says communication is keyto connection.
Every conversation helps youunderstand others better.
So listen, share and supportone another.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Love that it's not just about talking.
It's about listening andunderstanding.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
It's a two way street and these prompts, they kind of
help us be more mindful of bothsides.
You know our own communicationand the other person's.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah, makes sense.
Yeah, all right, ready for ourfinal category.
Hit me with it Personal growthand mindfulness.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Good stuff.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Always a good combo.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Definitely these prompts.
They really encourage us toreflect on our journey.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Where we're going.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Exactly Like taking a step back and assessing.
You know, how can we bridgethat gap between where we are
and where we want to be?
Speaker 1 (07:15):
And there's this one prompt that I really like.
It says describe one way you'vegrown emotionally over the past
year.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I love that one.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
It's so easy to get caught up in the day today that
we forget to even acknowledgehow much we've changed.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
So true, we've got to celebrate those small victories
.
Recognize those challengeswe've overcome and appreciate
how far we've come.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
It kind of ties in with another prompt in this
category.
What is something you'relearning to be more patient?
Speaker 2 (07:40):
with oh, patience, that's a big one.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Definitely something I'm working on.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
It's a lifelong journey for most of us, but
journaling can help.
It can.
It can help us cultivatepatience, resilience.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Self-compassion.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Become more aware of our patterns, our triggers.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Penrose has this great quote about growth in her
post.
She says growth happens onestep at a time.
Embrace each moment, Be mindfulof the journey and trust that
you're always moving forward.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It's beautiful.
It's a good reminder that it'sa process, not a destination.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Exactly yeah, and we can actively shape that process
through self-reflection,intention, action.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
So we've explored all these 50 prompts covering all
these different social andemotional skills, but what does
it all mean for our listeners?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Right, how can they actually use this stuff?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, what's the takeaway?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Well, I think of these prompts like seeds.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
You know they have the potential to grow into
something amazing, but they needthe right environment.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Exactly, they need nurturing, and that comes from
taking the time to reflect, towrite, to really engage with
these prompts.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
And it doesn't have to be this huge time commitment.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
No, even just a few minutes a day can make a
difference.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
And there's no right or wrong way to do it.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
It's your own personal space to explore your
thoughts and feelings.
No judgment.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Exactly so.
As we wrap up this deep dive,we want to leave you with a
little challenge.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Hey.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Inspired by these prompts, what small act of
kindness will you try this week?
Speaker 2 (09:03):
It could be anything.
You know, a compliment, helpingsomeone out, just listening to
someone who needs to talk.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
And pay attention to how it makes you feel.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Sometimes those small actions can have the biggest
impact.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
On ourselves and on the world around us.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Well said.
Thanks for joining us on thisjourney of self-exploration.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
We hope these prompts inspire you to grab a notebook
and start writing.
Unleash those inner thoughts.
And embark on your ownadventure of social, emotional
growth.
Happy journaling everyone.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Burden
The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.