Journal Prompts for Processing Emotions
Even though I usually create whimsical and light-hearted prompts, sometimes we need to dive deeper and explore our feelings through writing. To get the most out of these prompts, start by identifying the emotion that best matches how you’re feeling. Use the list of 96 emotions (thank you Chat GPT!) to pinpoint exactly what you’re experiencing. Once you’ve located the word, reflect on it and consider how it resonates with you. You can use the corresponding prompt to either dive deeper into your current feelings or to reflect on a past emotional state and see how you processed that emotion. Our emotions, whether they lift us up or challenge us, are what make us human. By understanding them, we can learn more about ourselves, grow as individuals, and find some peace along the way.
I got the inspiration for these prompts from a big magnet on my fridge that shows 12 different emotions, each expressed by Mr. Potato Head. The emotions he shows are: silly, needy, sleepy, arrr… (Mr. Potato Head as a pirate with an eye patch), stressed, shy, confused, funny, cool, happy, brave, and bored. While I love picking which emotion matches my mood, I often find myself feeling something that doesn’t quite match one of those 12 emotions. That’s why I decided to create these journal prompts—to give us a much bigger list of emotions to choose from and to help us take the time to identify and express our feelings.
Grab your favorite journal, find a cozy spot, and let’s go on a journey to understand ourselves better.
Admiration:
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- Reflect on a person you deeply admire. What qualities do they possess that inspire you, and how have they influenced your life?
Affection:
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- Describe a moment when you felt a strong sense of affection for someone. What triggered this feeling, and how did you express it?
Amazement:
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- Think of a time when you were truly amazed by something or someone. What was the source of your amazement, and how did it change your perspective?
Amusement:
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- Write about an experience that made you laugh or feel amused. What was it, and why do you think it had such a strong impact on your mood?
Appreciation:
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- Describe something or someone you deeply appreciate. What specific aspects do you value, and how do you show your appreciation?
Astonishment:
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- Recall an event that left you astonished. What were the circumstances, and how did this experience broaden your understanding or awareness?
Awe:
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- Write about an awe-inspiring experience. What made it so powerful, and how did it affect your view of the world or your place in it?
Bliss:
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- Reflect on a moment of pure bliss. What were you doing, and what factors contributed to this feeling of complete happiness?
Calmness:
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- Think about a time when you felt a deep sense of calm. What environment or actions helped you achieve this state, and how did it benefit you?
Cheerfulness:
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- Describe a situation where you felt particularly cheerful. What was happening, and how did your cheerfulness affect those around you?
Comfort:
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- Write about a source of comfort in your life. Whether it’s a person, place, or activity, how does it provide you with solace and reassurance?
Compassion:
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- Reflect on a time when you showed or received compassion. What was the situation, and what impact did this act of kindness have on you or others?
Confidence:
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- Think of a moment when you felt incredibly confident. What were you doing, and what contributed to your sense of self-assurance?
Contentment:
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- Describe an experience where you felt truly content. What aspects of your life or surroundings brought about this feeling?
Curiosity:
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- Write about something that has sparked your curiosity recently. Why does it intrigue you, and how do you plan to explore this interest further?
Delight:
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- Reflect on a delightful surprise you encountered. What was it, and why did it bring you such joy?
Eagerness:
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- Think about a time when you felt eager and excited. What were you anticipating, and how did your eagerness shape your actions?
Ecstasy:
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- Describe a moment of ecstasy you experienced. What were the circumstances, and how did this intense happiness affect you?
Elation:
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- Write about a time when you felt elated. What was the cause of your elation, and how did you celebrate this feeling?
Empathy:
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- Reflect on a situation where you felt deep empathy for someone. How did you connect with their emotions, and what impact did it have on you?
Enthusiasm:
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- Think about something you are passionate about. How does your enthusiasm for this activity or topic manifest in your life?
Excitement:
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- Describe an exciting event or experience. What made it so thrilling, and how did it influence your emotions or actions?
Exhilaration:
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- Write about a time when you felt exhilarated. What were you doing, and how did this rush of excitement and energy affect you?
Faith:
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- Reflect on a belief or trust that you hold deeply. How does your faith guide your decisions and actions?
Fascination:
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- Think about something that has always fascinated you. What draws you to it, and how has this fascination influenced your life or thinking?
Fondness:
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- Describe a person or memory that you hold with great fondness. What makes them or it special, and how do they impact your emotions?
Fulfillment:
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- Write about a goal or achievement that brought you a sense of fulfillment. What steps did you take to reach it, and how did it feel to accomplish it?
Gladness:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt a deep sense of gladness. What was happening, and what contributed to this positive emotion?
Gratitude:
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- Think about something or someone you are grateful for. How do you express your gratitude, and how does it affect your outlook on life?
Happiness:
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- Describe a time when you felt truly happy. What were the circumstances, and how did this happiness influence your actions or decisions?
Harmony:
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- Write about an experience where you felt in perfect harmony with yourself or others. What created this sense of balance, and how did it impact you?
Hope:
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- Reflect on a hope or aspiration you hold. How does this hope motivate you, and what steps are you taking to achieve it?
Inspiration:
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- Think about something or someone that inspires you. What qualities or actions of theirs do you find inspiring, and how does it affect your own behavior?
Interest:
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- Describe a subject or activity that interests you deeply. How did you become interested in it, and how does it enrich your life?
Joy:
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- Write about a joyful occasion in your life. What made it so joyous, and how did it leave a lasting impact on you?
Jubilation:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt jubilant. What was the cause of your jubilation, and how did you celebrate it?
Kindness:
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- Think about an act of kindness you have performed or received. What was the situation, and how did it affect your feelings and relationships?
Love:
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- Describe a person or thing you love deeply. How does this love manifest in your daily life, and how does it shape your actions?
Optimism:
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- Write about a situation where you felt optimistic. What gave you this sense of hope, and how did it influence your approach to the situation?
Peace:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt at peace. What factors contributed to this feeling, and how did it affect your overall well-being?
Pride:
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- Think about an achievement or quality that makes you feel proud. What did you do to earn this pride, and how does it influence your self-esteem?
Radiance:
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- Describe a time when you felt radiant. What were the circumstances, and how did this inner glow affect your interactions with others?
Reflectiveness:
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- Write about a moment when you took time to deeply ponder a situation or idea. What prompted this reflection, and what conclusions did you draw?
Relief:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt a deep sense of relief. What was the situation, and how did this relief change your perspective or actions?
Reverence:
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- Think about an experience where you felt a deep sense of reverence. What inspired this feeling, and how did it affect your actions or beliefs?
Satisfaction:
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- Write about a task or goal you completed that brought you satisfaction. What made it fulfilling, and how did it impact your sense of accomplishment?
Security:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt secure and safe. What were the circumstances, and how did this sense of security influence your actions?
Serenity:
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- Describe a serene moment in your life. What made it so peaceful, and how did it affect your overall sense of well-being?
Sentimentality:
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- Think about an item or memory that you hold with great sentimentality. Why is it so special to you, and how does it make you feel when you think about it?
Surprise:
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- Write about a surprise that had a significant impact on you. What were the details of the surprise, and how did it influence your outlook or decisions?
Sympathy:
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- Reflect on a situation where you felt deep sympathy for someone. How did you express this sympathy, and what impact did it have on your relationship?
Thrill:
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- Describe an exhilarating experience you had. What made it so thrilling, and how did it affect your emotions and behavior?
Tranquility:
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- Think about a time when you felt completely tranquil. What contributed to this feeling of peace, and how did it benefit you?
Trust:
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- Write about someone you trust deeply. What has this person done to earn your trust, and how does this trust affect your relationship?
Wonder:
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- Reflect on a moment that filled you with wonder. What about this experience was so captivating, and how did it expand your sense of possibility?
Zest:
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- Describe a situation where you felt full of zest and energy. What were you doing, and how did this enthusiasm impact your actions and interactions?
Challenging Emotions Journal Prompts:
Anger:
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- Think about a time when you felt extremely angry. What was the situation, and how did you manage or express your anger?
Ambivalence:
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- Describe a situation where you felt ambivalent. What were the conflicting feelings, and how did you eventually make a decision?
Annoyance:
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- Write about something that frequently annoys you. Why does it bother you, and how do you typically handle this annoyance?
Anxiety:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt anxious. What triggered your anxiety, and what strategies did you use to cope with it?
Apathy:
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- Think of a time when you felt indifferent or apathetic. What caused this lack of interest, and how did it affect your actions and decisions?
Bewilderment:
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- Describe an experience that left you feeling bewildered. What was confusing about it, and how did you eventually find clarity?
Bitterness:
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- Consider a situation that made you feel bitter. What were the circumstances, and how have you worked to move past those feelings?
Confusion:
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- Write about a time when you were deeply confused. What was the source of your confusion, and how did you resolve it?
Contempt:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt contempt for someone or something. What led to this feeling, and how did you deal with it?
Defeat:
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- Think about an experience where you felt defeated. What happened, and how did you find the strength to move forward?
Depression:
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- Describe a period when you felt depressed. What were the contributing factors, and what steps did you take to address your depression?
Despair:
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- Write about a time when you felt deep despair. What were the circumstances, and how did you find hope or support?
Disappointment:
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- Consider an event that led to significant disappointment. What were your expectations, and how did you cope with the outcome?
Disgust:
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- Reflect on a situation that made you feel disgusted. What caused this reaction, and how did you deal with those feelings?
Dismay:
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- Think about a time when you felt dismayed. What caused this feeling, and what steps did you take to recover from it?
Distress:
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- Write about an experience that caused you great distress. What were the circumstances, and how did you manage your emotional response?
Embarrassment:
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- Recall a moment when you felt deeply embarrassed. What happened, and how did you handle the situation?
Envy:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt envious of someone. What triggered your envy, and how did you work through these feelings?
Fear:
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- Describe an instance where you felt intense fear. What was the situation, and how did you overcome or face this fear?
Frustration:
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- Think about a situation that caused you great frustration. What were the contributing factors, and how did you address the issue?
Guilt:
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- Write about a time when you felt guilty. What was the cause of your guilt, and how did you work to make amends or forgive yourself?
Helplessness:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt helpless. What were the circumstances, and how did you find a way to regain control or seek help?
Hurt:
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- Describe an experience that left you feeling hurt. What caused this pain, and how did you heal or move forward?
Insecurity:
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- Consider a time when you felt insecure. What were the triggers, and how did you work to build your confidence?
Irritation:
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- Think about something that frequently irritates you. What is it, and how do you typically respond to this irritation?
Jealousy:
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- Write about an experience where you felt jealous. What caused these feelings, and how did you address or manage them?
Loneliness:
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- Reflect on a period when you felt lonely. What were the circumstances, and what steps did you take to connect with others or find comfort?
Melancholy:
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- Describe a time when you felt a deep sense of melancholy. What were the underlying reasons, and how did you manage these feelings?
Misery:
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- Think about an experience that made you feel miserable. What was the situation, and how did you find relief or support?
Nostalgia:
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- Write about a nostalgic memory from your past. What emotions does this memory evoke, and why is it significant to you?
Paradox:
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- Consider a paradox you’ve encountered in your life. How did you reconcile the conflicting aspects, and what insights did you gain?
Puzzlement:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt completely puzzled by something or someone. What was the puzzle, and how did you eventually come to understand it?
Regret:
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- Describe a situation where you felt regretful. What were the circumstances, and what did you learn from this experience?
Resentment:
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- Write about a time when you felt resentful. What caused these feelings, and how did you work through them?
Sadness:
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- Think about an event that caused you deep sadness. What were the circumstances, and how did you cope with this emotion?
Shame:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt ashamed. What led to this feeling, and how did you address or overcome it?
Sorrow:
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- Describe a time when you experienced profound sorrow. What was the cause, and how did you find comfort or healing?
Stress:
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- Write about a stressful situation you faced. What were the stressors, and how did you manage or alleviate the stress?
Suspense:
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- Recall a situation filled with suspense. What were you anticipating, and how did the outcome match or differ from your expectations?
Uncertainty:
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- Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty. How did you cope with not knowing the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
Unhappiness:
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- Think about a period when you felt unhappy. What were the contributing factors, and how did you work to improve your mood or situation?
Vulnerability:
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- Write about a moment when you felt vulnerable. What made you feel this way, and how did you protect yourself or find strength?
Worry:
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- Reflect on a situation that caused you significant worry. What were you concerned about, and how did you manage or address these concerns?
Discomfort:
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- Think about a time when you felt uncomfortable. What caused this discomfort, and how did you handle the situation?
Doubt:
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- Write about an instance where you felt doubt. What were you uncertain about, and how did you find clarity or confidence?
Fright:
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- Describe a moment when you felt frightened. What scared you, and how did you confront or overcome this fear?
Hopelessness:
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- Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. What led to this feeling, and how did you find hope or support?
Nervousness:
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- Think about an experience where you felt nervous. What was the situation, and how did you calm your nerves or build confidence?
Overwhelm:
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- Write about a time when you felt overwhelmed. What were the contributing factors, and how did you find a way to manage or reduce the overwhelm?
Panic:
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- Describe a situation where you felt panicked. What triggered your panic, and how did you regain control or calm yourself?
Remorse:
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- Reflect on a moment when you felt remorseful. What did you regret, and how did you make amends or forgive yourself?
Shock:
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- Think about an event that shocked you. What were the circumstances, and how did you process and recover from the shock?
Tension:
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- Write about a time when you felt tension. What was causing this tension, and how did you work to alleviate it?
Unease:
- Reflect on a situation that made you feel uneasy. What contributed to this feeling, and how did you find a sense of calm or resolve?