4 Journaling Prompts that changed my life for the better
Table of Contents
Introduction
Life moves so quickly that most of us rarely pause to question whether we’re truly living the way we want to. We get caught up in routines, responsibilities, and expectations, and before we know it, weeks slip into months, and months into years. That’s where journaling prompts become powerful—they pull us out of autopilot and make us look at life with fresh eyes. The four prompts I’ve reflected on in this post aren’t just questions; they’re tools for clarity. They help us uncover what energizes us, where our habits are leading, how we truly want to spend our time, and the kind of legacy we hope to leave behind.
1st. Prompt
What activities in the last 2 weeks have energized and drained me?
This question might look simple on the surface, but I’ve found it to be one of the most powerful tools for self-reflection. So often, I move through my days without really noticing what truly fuels me and what quietly drains me. But when I pause and track my energy, I start to see patterns I wasn’t aware of before.
Looking back at the last two weeks, I ask myself: which activities left me feeling alive, inspired, and fulfilled? Sometimes it’s something as big as creating content, and other times it’s as small as having a heartfelt conversation or me baking something in the kitchen. On the flip side, which moments left me exhausted, resentful, or restless? It is usually endless scrolling on my phone, a conversation that felt forced, or when I spend more time doing house chores.
The real clarity comes from simply noticing these patterns. Once I know what energizes me, I can lean into it. And once I know what drains me, I can find ways to either eliminate it, delegate it, or approach it differently. Slowly, this practice helps me shape a life that isn’t just impressive from the outside but one that actually feels nourishing and aligned with who I truly am.
2nd. Prompt
If I repeat this week’s actions for 10 years, where does it lead and is that where I want to be?
This question really cuts through illusions. I used to believe, like many of us do, that somehow the future would look different—even if my present actions didn’t reflect the life I wanted. But the truth is, habits compound. What I do this week, if I keep repeating it, becomes my life 10 years from now.
When I looked honestly at my past week, I asked myself: were my actions moving me closer to the person I want to become, or just keeping me busy? And if I kept living exactly as I did—same routines, same choices, same patterns—where would I realistically end up?
Sometimes this reflection feels uncomfortable, but that’s the whole point. It’s not about guilt—it’s about clarity. Once I see where my actions are leading, I can change course today.
For example, when I first came across this journaling prompt, I realized that if I kept sitting for long hours writing scripts, blogs, and articles, and spending most of my time learning skills, then after 10 years I’d probably end up with weak physical health, reduced muscle mass, and lower bone strength. That insight made me see how important it is to include movement in my daily life so I don’t sacrifice my health in the long run. Now, I make sure to walk at least 30 minutes for every 2 hours I spend sitting.
Another time I applied this prompt was when I had to choose between preparing for a permanent job and pursuing content creation. I realized that if I kept chasing a job, I’d have to sacrifice so much time with my loved ones. And life is too short not to spend enough time with them. Choosing content creation felt more aligned with how I want to spend my days—not just in the short term, but also in the long run.
This reflection always brings me back to one truth: the future isn’t built on wishes—it’s built on the steps I take right now. And if the path I’m on isn’t leading me where I want to go, I always have the power to change direction.
3rd. Prompt
If you knew you’d die in 2 years, how would you spend your time?
Death isn’t something we like to think about, but reflecting on it can bring us closer to what really matters. This question forces us to strip away the noise—the endless to-do lists, the pressure to impress others, the rush for recognition—and ask ourselves: If time were short, how would I truly want to live?
Would you still keep delaying your dreams, waiting for the “right moment”? Or would you finally write that book, travel to that place, or start the project that’s been sitting in your heart? Would you spend more time with family, say the words you’ve been holding back, or simply live with more presence in the everyday moments?
When we see life through the lens of limited time, our priorities shift. The things we thought were urgent suddenly lose importance, and what’s truly meaningful—love, creativity, contribution, and presence—rises to the surface.
Reflecting on this question made me realize that the present moment is all we truly have. Yet most of us spend our lives either worrying excessively about the future or regretting past decisions. What we often forget is that death can come to anyone, at any time.
The power of this prompt isn’t in scaring you with death, but in inspiring you to live more fully today. Because the truth is, none of us knows how much time we have. But we do know this: the way we live now shapes the life we leave behind.
4th. Prompt
What would you like people to say at your funeral?
This may sound like a heavy question, but it’s really about clarity. At the end of life, nobody talks about the job titles we held, the money we made, or the number of things we owned. Instead, they remember the kind of person we were, the love we gave, the difference we made, and how we made others feel.
Asking yourself what you’d like people to say at your funeral is another way of asking: What legacy do I want to leave behind? Do you want to be remembered as someone kind and compassionate? As someone who inspired others to follow their passions? As someone who lived authentically, without fear of judgment?
As for me, this is what I’d like people to say at my funeral: that I was someone who inspired others to live happily, meaningfully, and with more intention. Someone who loved learning new recipes and sharing food with the people she cared about. Someone who never gave up on her dream life, even when the results didn’t come as quickly as she hoped. Someone who joyfully celebrated others, even through simple WhatsApp statuses on their birthdays. And someone who deeply cared for nature and the planet.
Once you know the answer, you can start living in alignment with it today. If you want to be remembered for your kindness, practice kindness now. If you want to be remembered for your courage, make brave choices now. If you want to be remembered for spreading joy, start creating joy now.
This prompt isn’t about death—it’s about life. It reminds us that our everyday actions shape how we’ll be remembered. And the best part? You don’t need to wait for the future to create that legacy. You’re writing it every single day.
Final Thoughts
Answering these prompts isn’t about coming up with perfect responses—it’s about starting an honest conversation with yourself. The truth is, the way we spend our days is the way we spend our lives. And by reflecting on these questions, we gain the awareness needed to shape a life that feels intentional, fulfilling, and deeply aligned with who we are. Because at the end of it all, what matters most is not just how long we lived, but how meaningfully we chose to live.
And if you’re wondering where I came across these journaling prompts, I learned them from the most influential person in my life—Ali Abdaal. He was the one who introduced me to these life-changing questions. But that’s not all I’ve learned from him. He’s the reason I began to truly respect my time, he introduced me to tools like Google Calendar and Notion, and he opened my eyes to concepts like the Second Brain. If you’d like to know more about what I’ve learned from him, you can read about it in the following blog:
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