Welcome to May! May is also known as Mental Health Awareness Month 😇💖
For this special month, I wish to focus on being more consistent with my habit of journalling. Previously, for everything that was on my mind, I used to journal in my diaries. I find myself journalling solely digitally now, and I miss the touch of a pen and the way it naturally brings my thoughts, words, and feelings together. I have heaps of journals in my cupboard with loads of reflection in them, but what they helped me with most, in every season, was my mental health. In times when I felt that no one would understand me or when I had no one who would listen to the chaos within me, I would turn to writing and journalling.
We may already know the many benefits of journalling… but when it comes to mental health, journalling becomes one of the easiest ways to tend to our inner worlds. A journal doesn’t ask questions, doesn’t judge, and is always there to listen to us, to help us untangle our thoughts and feelings while also keeping our feelings and thoughts confidential.
Different forms of journalling help your mental and emotional health in different ways, for example:
- A brain dump: On days when you’re feeling overwhelmed, chaotic, or distracted, a complete brain dump of ideas on paper instantly helps bring more focus and clarity to our priorities, thoughts, and to-dos.
- Prompt-based journalling: Prompts help us think about and explore ideas we never could’ve thought of. They give us direction when we need one, and guide us to answers of questions we never could’ve asked ourselves.
- Stream of consciousness writing: Simply writing down anything and everything that comes to your mind and letting all your thoughts flow. It is a free-flowing, unstructured writing practice where you write continuously for a set time without structure or editing anything.
Today, we will take some time out to help with our mental health using prompt-based journalling. These prompts will help you practice exploration, curiosity, noticing, compassionate self-talk, acceptance, and openness toward your mental and emotional world.
Here are 30 prompts you can use to ask yourself questions based on how you’re feeling, to reflect upon and journal in the Gratitude app:
🌿 When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
- What is one thing around me helping me feel safe right now?
- What is one small comfort I can notice in this moment?
- What part of my environment feels calming or grounding today?
- What has gently supported me through this difficult day?
- What is one thing I can let go of for now?
🍃 When Your Thoughts Feel Loud
- How can I show compassion to thoughts that are trying to help?
- What am I grateful my mind is trying to protect me from?
- What has helped me feel mentally clear in the past?
- What can I return my attention to right now?
- How can I softly redirect my attention from my mind to my body?
💛 When You Feel Emotionally Heavy
- What emotion may be asking for my attention right now?
- What do my emotions need from me today?
- What can I do less of today to rest emotionally?
- What expectations from myself am I ready to let go of?
- What feels like an easy way to express myself today?
🌱 When You Feel Drained
- What has been giving me energy lately, and what has been draining it?
- Which part of my body may need more care right now?
- When did I last feel truly rested?
- Is there something my body has been trying to tell me lately?
- What has been helping me feel even 1% more energized?
🌸 When You Feel Alone
- Who in my life makes me feel seen, safe, or loved?
- Which memory reminds me that I am cared for?
- In what ways have I shown up for myself recently?
- Is there a connection in my life I may not be noticing enough?
- What can help me remember that I’m not alone?
🍃 When You’re on a Healing Journey
- How am I handling life differently than I once did?
- Which part of my healing journey makes me feel proud?
- What difficult season has taught me something meaningful?
- Is there a strength I’ve built that I rarely acknowledge?
- What part of myself am I learning to appreciate more deeply?
I hope these prompts help you feel more connected to yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings this Mental Health Awareness Month. May your journal become a safe space you can always return to. ✨
As always, I’d love to know what you think or how these prompts support you. You can write to me at piyusha@gratefulness.me 💌 Until next time 🤍
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