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The habit of writing in a journal every day or a few times each week is enjoyable and
helps you manage emotions and stress too. This is as true for young children just
learning how to express themselves in the written word as for teens, college students,
working adults, and even senior citizens. Grab yourself a notebook and a pen and join
in. These journal writing ideas for all ages can help.
Journaling for Young Children
Journal writing in the lower grades may pertain mostly to things they learned or already
know. Favorite animals, holiday memories, “What did you learn today?”, and an
emphasis on drawing with accompanying words make sense. Older children can begin
exploring their emotions more.
– What will life be like in five years?
– What animal would I like to be for one day?
– Why is my best friend the best? How can I be a great best friend too?
Journaling for Teens
Besides secret diary confessions and thoughts about their personal experiences, teens
can begin thinking about the bigger picture and the world around them. What do they
think about a political situation or heavy topics like global climate change? How would
they rewrite an experience they had to make it better? Prompts that focus on positive
views of their individual nature are great.
– What is your prized possession? Would you ever give it away and why?
– Could you have handled the last argument you got into better? How?
– Write about you from your best friend’s perspective.
Journaling for Young Adults
People just starting out in the world have a lot of stress and need to figure things out.
Journaling at the end of the day can help find different viewpoints about things that went
on in class or at work.
Write about things learned in relationships with others and yourself. Consider lists of compliments you pay yourself, define success, or write down questions you need to know the answers to.
– What does it mean to be a good neighbor?
– List 5 ways something others (or you!) consider a waste of time can benefit you.
– What is your biggest stressor and how can you minimize it?
Journaling for Middle Ages
Avoid making a journal into a play-by-play account of what your children did. As
important as they are to your life, a journal is a place for you to discover or re-discover
yourself. They offer space to make your bucket list, reminisce on past adventures or
events, and fully explore emotions tied to certain things in your life.
– What is the biggest contribution you have made to the world? Your family?
– What new technology do you love? Hate?
– If you could get advice from one person on Earth, who, and what would you ask
about?
Journaling for Seniors
Looking back can be bittersweet and journaling about the people you have met, places
you have seen, and things you have done can be an adventure all its own. Make an
effort to look forward when writing in your journal as well. Do you have a plan or is it
time to fly free? What did you always want to tell a family member or friend?
– Write a letter to yourself at major life stages or events.
– Describe the place you have been where you felt most at home.
– What secrets are you keeping about yourself that people may be surprised to know?
– Make a plan for next week, month, and year.
These journal writing ideas for all ages give an outlet for creativity, self-examination, and a great way to deal with and reduce stress. Parents can start their children off young and
encourage and model ongoing journaling through the years. Get started with these
prompts or any thoughts and feelings that enter your mind when you pick up a pen or
fire up the computer.
