Journal prompts for exploring your personal values
Write about your future self in the present tense, as in, “I am a teacher, I have two dogs, and I own a home full of thriving houseplants.” Paint a picture of your life that is both realistic and optimistic. Don’t focus too much on perfection; let your creativity bring clarity like you’re watching a Polaroid develop. What do you see around you? Who is with you? What are you doing? (Source: The Good Trade)
Reflect on a time when you felt truly fulfilled and aligned with your deepest sense of purpose. What values were you honoring in that moment, and how did they contribute to your sense of fulfillment?
Write about your favorite movie, show, book, or album. Why does it stick in your heart and mind? Is your experience connected to an important memory of a person or place? Are you inspired or motivated by the words it contains? Do you feel soothed or validated by it? (Source: The Good Trade)
Think of someone you really admire. What qualities or values do they carry that resonate with you? How might you weave those values into your own life?
Bring to mind a recent challenge you’ve faced. What values did you lean on to guide your choices in that moment? Did your actions feel aligned with your core values… or not quite? If they didn’t, what small adjustments could help you move closer to honoring them next time?
Now, imagine your life five years from now — the life you most want to be living. What values are at the center of that vision? How can you begin to live in alignment with those values today, creating that future in the present moment?
Describe yourself as a plant. Are you lush and boisterous? Are you short and spiky? Do you need constant watering, or maybe you thrive in arid environments? Are you tender and blooming, or hardy and perennial? What colors are your flowers, and how do they make you feel? Don’t get too caught up in imagining the kind of plant you feel like you should be. Focus on the type of plant you believe you are, or that you want to grow into. (Source: The Good Trade)
Take a moment to explore any conflicts or tensions you're currently experiencing in your life. Which values feel compromised or neglected in these situations? How can you realign your actions and choices with your core values to bring greater harmony and authenticity into your life?
A previous version of this blog post did not attribute the indicated prompts to the original author, Emily McGowan of The Good Trade. That’s totally on me and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to fix my mistake. I am including this addendum for accountability.
