If you want to build a more intentional life, nightly journal prompts are a great place to start. By taking a few minutes each evening to reflect on your day and set your intentions for the future, you can begin to make small changes that will have a big impact on your overall wellbeing.
Let’s discuss a little about how to journal at night, and then we’ll dive into some specific nighttime journal prompts.
And while there are endless possibilities for journal writing prompts, these are some of my favorites because they’re simple and won’t feel overwhelming… especially for beginner journalers.
Put these evening journal prompts to use and see how they can help you end your days on a good note so that you can begin the next day with intention!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This post is not to be taken as professional medical or mental health advice. All statements are strictly my personal life observations. You can see my full disclaimer here.
Journal In The Morning Or At Night?
Journaling is a powerful tool that can help you gain clarity about your goals, process your emotions, and live a more intentional life.
Many people wonder, ‘Should you journal at night or in the morning?’ They want to get the greatest return on their effort, so this can seem like a really important question.
But the thing is, it’s impossible to say that you should do one OR the other. Journaling is extremely personal, and you need to use it in the best way to benefit YOU.
That might mean journaling in the morning OR at night OR both! You’ll need to experiment and find what works for you.
However, journaling at night can be very powerful and beneficial, as we’ll discuss next…
What Are The Benefits Of Journaling In The Evening?
The first benefit of nightly journaling is that it allows you to process your day, increasing self-awareness and clarity of thought. You can reflect on the good moments and learn from the difficult ones so that you can eventually let them go. It’s a great way to be intentional with your time as you empty your mind of negative thoughts so you can relax and fall asleep more easily.
Additionally, journaling can help boost your mood and self-confidence. Writing about your accomplishments, even if they seem small, can remind you of how far you’ve come and all that you’re capable of. Incorporating gratitude into your journaling also promotes positive thinking as you drift off to sleep.
And finally, journaling can serve as a record of your life. Looking back on old entries can provide valuable perspective and help you see how far you’ve grown.
4 Simple Tips For Keeping A Nightly Journal
Not sure how to journal at night? Does it feel a little out of your comfort zone? Use these tips to get started!
1. Set aside about 15 minutes for your evening journal session
You don’t have to set a specific time limit, but 15 minutes will give you time to wind down and get the thoughts out. You can always write for longer if it won’t compromise your sleep time.
But… WHEN should you write? I find the words flow best when I’m quite tired, so try journaling after all of the evening tasks are finished and you’ve gotten ready for bed. You’ll be at your most relaxed.
2. Write in a comfortable spot
For some people, that’s in bed. For others, a cozy chair is best.
Remember, you’re preparing for sleep. Use good lighting so you don’t strain your eyes, but not so bright that it stimulates your mind into wakefulness.
Also, think about sound. Do you prefer quiet, some relaxing music, or do you like to hear your family’s background noise as you retreat into your private journaling world? Try different things.
3. Find a journal and pen that you love
This might be a beautiful leather-bound journal that you display on your night table. Or a simple composition book that you keep in a drawer. Or even a word doc on your laptop.
It doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside. What matters is how it feels when you’re holding it and writing in it.
If you have more than one journal, experiment with using them for different purposes. Perhaps one is for nightly musings and another is for more creative brainstorming or in-depth reflection on current projects.
Related: Best Journals for Writing: 6 Top Picks
4. Use evening journal prompts
You can always do a free write if that works for you. But if you’re a beginner, feeling stuck staring at a blank page, or love a really solid routine, try using a list of journal prompts like the ones below…
Nightly Journal Prompts
These simple suggestions for what to journal before bed can help you process the day, reflect on your goals, and drift off to sleep with a more positive mindset. You don’t have to spend too much time on each one… a simple answer may be all you need.
1. What’s one good thing that happened today?
There’s something very therapeutic about taking a few moments at the end of the day to reflect on the good things that have happened. It’s a simple way to shift your focus from the negative to the positive, and it can help you to appreciate the blessings in your life.
2. What’s one challenging thing that happened today?
By writing about this challenge, you can release any negative emotions that you may be carrying around.
3. How will I deal with this challenge in the future?
This prompt can be beneficial because it helps you to identify areas of improvement and develop strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
4. What am I grateful for at this moment?
Studies have shown that gratitude is one of the key ingredients for happiness, so it makes sense that this journaling prompt would be beneficial.
Find more gratitude prompts here: 22 Fantastic Gratitude Journal Prompts You Need Today
5. What’s one thing that made me laugh today?
Taking a moment to reflect on something that made you laugh can help lighten your mood and make you feel more positive, even on the toughest days. So don’t skip writing about what made you laugh today… it might just be the boost you need.
6. What were my successes today?
List them ALL, no matter how small! 🙂
7. What’s one thing I learned today?
Sometimes, the things we learn during the day are small, but they can still be significant. For example, you might learn how to make a new recipe or fix a broken appliance. Other times, we learn something that completely changes our perspective.
Regardless of the size of the lesson, writing about it reinforces what we’ve learned.
8. What do I need to leave on this page tonight?
As anyone who keeps a journal knows, the act of writing can be therapeutic. It can be a way to process emotions, work through problems, and gain clarity and perspective.
By taking a few minutes to write about anything heavy that’s been weighing on you, you can begin to release it from your mind and heart. Then, hopefully, you can rest easier.
9. How will I make tomorrow intentional and successful?
Reflect on your goals and priorities, and think about what actions you can take tomorrow in alignment with them. This allows you to wake up with a clearer plan of action, which makes it much more likely that you will accomplish what you set out to do.
Additionally, taking time to journal about intentions for the upcoming day helps you to stay focused and motivated. When you know that you’ve put thought into making tomorrow a success, it becomes easier to do.the.things.
More Journaling And Intentional Living Inspiration
32 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery and Clarity {Free Printable}
An Intentional Life: Five Foundations of Authenticity & Purpose – Lisa Kentgen
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Susan Cain
24 Intentional Living Quotes to Inspire Your Best Life
The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less – Tanya Dalton
30 Important Journaling Prompts for Adults
Concluding Thoughts On Nighttime Journaling
As we close out this blog post, I want to leave you with some final thoughts on nightly journaling prompts.
First of all, I want to mention how important it is to be consistent with your journaling habit. Do your best to make this a nightly practice and evaluate your results after a month, three months, etc.
Secondly, although I’ve given you some excellent journal prompts for night, you can also experiment with different prompts. Find the ones that work best for you!
And finally, I want to remind you that there are no rules when it comes to journaling! It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect. The whole point is to simply get your thoughts down on paper.
So go ahead and give it a try! You might just be surprised at how journaling at night works for your personal growth journey as you build your best life.
You’ve got this!
Did you enjoy this post? Know someone else who might like it? Please take a moment to share on Pinterest, Facebook, or your favorite social media… (Click the sharing buttons at the bottom of the post.) Thank you!