Ten things to write when you don't know what to write (creative journalers guide)
If you are someone who loves to write and loves to journal, I'm sure you've experienced the feeling of not knowing what to write, or running out of ideas. This happens to us all, and sometimes we just need a little prompt and a little help to get started on our writing, and once we start, all our creative juices start flowing again.
Here are my general ideas on what to do when you don't know what to write:
1) Check your lists of ideas, saved posts and interest boards: If you like to save good ideas when you find them on social media, or if you have a list of ideas in a notebook, journal, or in your notes section of your phone, use this first. Check these out and if you're lucky, you'll find something that inspires you. If you haven't already done this, now is a good time to start so you'll have ideas for next time.
2) Just open your journal and start writing the first thing that comes to your mind. Even if you start with "I don't know what to write today". Close your eyes, and just start. Part of journaling is all about writing your own inner thoughts, so just get started and see what comes out.
3) 365 day of journaling: VERY soon I will be launching my 365 days of journaling guide. I'll be announcing all over my social media, emails and blog when it's ready.
4) Go and do something else for a while: You can always come back to it. Going away to do something else like taking a walk, reading a book, or having a bath/shower are great ways to reset the creativity and get yourself thinking of ideas to write about.
5) Finish something you started previously. If you're like me, you might have a whole bunch of ideas that you have started but haven't finished. Go back and finish something that you previously had started.
6) Use Chat GPT: If you just want a list of ideas, Chat GPT can help you out. You can ask it something simple like: "give me ideas on what to write in my journal today", or you can be more specific about what you would like to write about, the type of journaling you are doing, your feelings, mood, or the vibe and aesthetic you are going for. If you don't like the first ideas that you are given, you can tweak your question or ask for more ideas.
And, here are my ten best ideas that I came up with to help those of you out who are not feeling very inspired to continue with your writing and journaling. I took inspiration from all the amazing journal spreads, ideas and prompts that I see on social media, on Pinterest, and I also looked at my own list of ideas that I keep. I hope that you find something inspirational within these ideas. I have a screenshot of this list in my phone ready for next time I need inspiration. You may like to do the same, or create your own list and continually add to it as inspiration hits.
Here is the list:
1) Write a letter to your favourite fictional character:
If you’re a reader as well as a writer (like me), you might also enjoy writing a letter to a fictional character. I’ve done this before as part of my reading journal. I have written about things that inspire me about them and their story, and written about what I would do differently than them. You could make this your own in any way you want, you could make it a fanfiction type journal entry, where you put yourself into the character’s world, or you could just write for fun and humour telling them things about you. You could write something deep and emotional. Make it however you like. If you love creative journaling, you can also add some stickers or printouts of the book cover, do some drawings to go with it, or make this a regular part of your journaling as you read. Another idea could be to write to the author instead. If you really love the book, you could even consider sending it to the author.
2) Write your bucket list, and imagine money is no object:
I love a good bucket list. If you already have one, you can add some more items to it. I love to write this type of bucket list where I imagine that money is no object. I add things that are absolutely crazy that I would do if I had all the money in the world, like stay in my own island in the Maldives with my own personal butler. This may not ever happen, but it’s fun to think about! You could create a realistic section, things that you actually really want to do, but also things that you would do if you were a millionaire. Keep the page and continue to add things to it. You can add all sorts of photos, pictures, and drawings to your pages, or tie it into a travel journal.
3) Write about what you would change in the world if you were the world leader
Think of all the things you would change. Would you achieve world peace? Would you make sure everyone had access to chocolate? Make everyone’s workdays shorter? What other crazy or wonderful things can you think of? You could start simple and humorous, or you could think deeply about all the ways you would like to improve the world.
4) Write five things you love about yourself, and five things you think your friends/family/partner love about you
This is a great one for gratitude journaling, or any time when you are feeling a little bit down. The simple act of writing five things you love about yourself helps to improve your mood, and if you do it regularly as part of gratitude journaling, you can improve your happiness. I like the added twist of writing what you think your friends and family love about you, because they might have additional insights and love things about you that are different. It’s also great to help you remember that you are loved.
5) Write about a book or movie that you loved
Is there a movie or book that you loved so much it changed your outlook on life? Like one that when you finished, you mourned? Perhaps one that made you cry, or feel a whole range of emotions, or one that consumed your thinking for weeks. I have books that I wish I could travel back in time for, just so I could read them again for the first time. As an avid reader, this is a favourite journal entry of mine, in fact I have a full journal just for books. Write all your feelings about the book or movie, write a review for someone else, or just write about why you loved the book or movie.
6) If you could relive one day of your life, what would it be?
Perhaps a wedding day, a day on a special holiday, or spending another day with a loved one no longer with you. Think about what you would relive and why. You can write about the day from start to finish, or write about what you loved about the day. You could write about it imagining if it were today, and you were writing your daily journal. Make it emotional or just fun.
7) Make a list of all your favourite foods to cook or eat
This one is always good for dinner inspiration and meal planning as well! List the foods you love, and you could find or draw pictures to go with it. Split it into categories or just make it a big long list.
8) Imagine you are teaching your friend about how to journal, junk journal, bullet journal, or write creatively. What do you teach them?
I like to think of myself sometimes as a teacher, teaching other people how I journal. I will imagine showing off my journal spreads and talking to them about the benefits of journaling. You could write down the most important things they need to know, or why you think they should start journaling, or even why you love it. Imagine you are making other people love journaling as much as you.
9) Make a list of all the things you would like to buy if you had a billion dollars.
Just for fun. Would you buy a Lamborghini, or a private island, or something more realistic. Make a full list. You could also make it like a pinterest board with pictures or clippings to show all the weird and wonderful things you could buy with all your imaginary money.
10) Write the first line or paragraph of your autobiography
If you were to write an autobiography, what would you start with? Brainstorm what the most important moments of your life are, and what you would want to include in the opening scenes to your autobiography. You can even google ideas for first lines so you get an idea.
I hope this has helped you find some ideas for your own journaling. If you love to journal and you love stationery, make sure you check out our journals collection of our online store here. There is nothing more inspirational than opening up a beautiful new journal with brand new pages for you to write in!
Happy writing
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