36 Juicy End-of-Year Journaling Prompts
The end of year is a great time for reflection.
Before you jump to next year, I encourage you to make extra time to think about what this past year taught you, what changed for you, what you were able to do, and what gifts came your way, despite it all.
Below is a list of 36 journaling prompts to get you started.
Why is reflection so important?
It helps us to remember the important things. It reinforces our learning. It clarifies our thinking. It helps us find meaning. It encourages and strengthens us and better prepares us for whatever is to come next.
So brew a cup of tea, find a cozy spot to curl up with your journal, and choose some questions from the list below that speak most to you.
36 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts
Make a timeline of the past year and mark the biggest or most meaningful events in your life. What were the high points and low points? What were external events in the world?
List 10 things you’re grateful for.
What were your biggest achievements this year?
What have you achieved that has surprised you?
What are less obvious or “smaller” things that you’re proud of achieving this year?
What steps have you made toward your larger goals?
What did you fail at or make a mistake with? What did you learn and what are you proud of in how you handled it?
What will you do to celebrate and recognize your achievements? (Make a plan of where you’ll celebrate, when, how, and with who.)
What are the best parts of your life right now?
What do you love about your work right now?
What do you dislike about your work right now?
What’s working for you right now and that you'd like to build on next year?
What’s not working for you and that you’d like to get rid of?
If you could wave a magic wand over your life right now, what would change?
Imagine it is one year from now and everything is wonderful. Describe what’s happening and what has happened, in as much detail as you can.
What do you need to do or change to get closer to your ideals?
What are your top priorities right now?
How would you describe where you are in life right now?
Now, look at your life through the eyes of a close friend who really cares about you. Then describe where you’re at in your life right now.
What parts of your life do you feel most proud of?
What needs do you have that you feel are neglected right now?
What parts of you do you feel are not able to shine right now?
Which of your values really showed up this year?
What are the habits that are really supporting you and lifting you up? How could you amplify them?
What are the habits that are bringing you down? How could you get rid of them?
What limiting beliefs have you let go of this year? I no longer believe…
What new beliefs do you now have? I believe …
Who has really made a difference to you this year?
Who do you need to thank? (Make a plan for when/how!)
Who would you like to spend more time with in the new year?
Who would you like to spend less time with in the new year?
What’s been your biggest source of joy and fun this year?
What would you like to add to life next year for more fun, relaxation, or recreation?
What have been some of the most interesting ideas you’ve come across this year?
What message or mantra would sum everything up from this year, and that you could carry forward with you?
What else do you want to note for yourself as you go forward?
Oooh, it was exciting to list all these questions, just imagining all the juicy insights you’re going to unearth. (I’m such a coaching nerd, I know.)
To give your insights even more life, consider bringing them into your conversations with close friends, your partner, and trusted colleagues or boss.
Or, if you want some outside perspective and some structure to go deeper, reserve a time to talk with me about what you’ve discovered. Coaching conversations begin with reflections like these.
There is so much power in this reflective work. Take a moment to block off some writing time on your calendar before the end of the year and use this list as your jumping-off point.
Enjoy.
