35 questions you need to be asking yourself (a journaling guide)
journal prompts to connect with yourself and check in
we often move through life without thought, without awareness, almost on a consistent autopilot. it is so important that we take moments to pause and actually connect with ourselves, and almost audit our own self care. when we do this, we are able to zoom out and take a look at our daily life, instead of just idly going through the motions. these questions are meant for anybody at anytime who wants to take a breath, do a mini life audit, check in with yourself intentionally, and maybe invite a few changes.
many of us are afraid to look our own selves in the eyes. we shy away from sitting with the truth. this is no fault of your own, this is not a character defect, this is not because you hate yourself. this is simply because sitting with ourselves deeply and honestly is a practice of deep patience and authentic self love- something that our modern society leaves virtually no room for; and most definitely does not consider a cause for celebration.
but i do.
and i know how uncomfortable asking yourself the hard questions can be, because i have ran from myself with the determination of someone training for a marathon. i have willingly put blindfolds on so that i wouldn’t be forced to see. i have drank myself into oblivion so that i wouldn’t have to feel anything real.
but all of this running led to much more than numb nothingness. it led to the deep-rooted pain of self abandonment. a pain that i wish on no one, a pain that journaling helped me to heal and transform.
i wasn’t running because i hated myself, or didn’t know myself,
i just hadn’t quite met myself yet.
journaling has always been my doorway back to my true self. each page has been a witness to my unraveling, my rebuilding, and the quiet in-betweens where I felt incredibly lost. it has been the mirror I was too afraid to hold up, and the safe space I never found anywhere else.
and a note for those who say “i dont know”- thats your first answer, and its an answer nonetheless. i want you to tell yourself, “i understand, that makes sense” whenever you hear the response of “i dont know” do not shame yourself, do not blame yourself. instead find compassion. and within the phrase i dont know, there is a beautiful, soft invitation to discover and find out. don’t force it. just come back to the question. and if you hear i don’t know again, hold yourself in a long hug, and say “that’s okay.”
usually these lengthy journal prompt posts are reserved for my paid subscribers only (there’s a whole archive/ journal prompt library there!) but this particular topic is one i heard from so many of my readers, and i think this is such important work, i really wanted everyone to be able to do this. so enjoy this freebie!! we just began a 7 day nervous system reset practice!:
How does my body feel right now? (calm, exhausted, heavy, ect)
What might my body need right now? (rest, love, nourishment)
What might my body need less of right now?
How has my mental state felt lately?
What types of thoughts have been circling my mind lately?
Have these thoughts felt helpful or kind to my self?
What thoughts/styles of thinking do I want to let go of?
What thoughts would I like to fill my mind with?
What has my daily routine been lately?
Is it feeling helpful or draining?
What daily routine would I like to implement?
Have I been creating/seeking enough joy lately?
What things/people/activities bring me joy?
What fears have been taking up the most space in my mind lately?
What has been consuming my energy recently?
What has been comforting me lately?
What do I need to hear right now?
What parts of myself have I been ignoring?
What truth have I been avoiding?
What emotions have I not fully allowed myself to feel?
What have I been distracting myself from lately?
What has my daily routine been lately?
Is it feeling supportive, grounding, or draining?
What daily routine would make me feel more like myself?
What parts of my day feel nourishing?
What parts of my day leave me depleted?
What would my ideal slow morning look like?
What would a more balanced life feel like for me?
Have I been creating or seeking enough joy lately?
What things, people, and activities bring me genuine joy?
What would loving myself more intentionally look like in this season of my life?
What do I want more of in my life right now?
What do I want less of?
What am I ready to let go of?
What am I ready to invite in?
which prompt felt like it was written just for you? tell me in the comments.
i read every single one, and your reflections always make this space feel alive.
from my heart to yours,
Rhiana Meri
check out the most recent self care guide:
7 days of self care: restoring your nervous system this spring (a guided curriculum)
7 days of self care: restoring your nervous system
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✧.* a lil’ note before you go:
paid subscribers receive access to the Lessons In Self Love Library, a growing archive of tangible tools for self love. each month, 2–4 immersive new posts arrive: self love lessons, guided exercises, and journaling collections to help you slow down, reconnect, and weave self love into your daily life. you’ll also receive exclusive reflections, guided audio meditations, and digital journal pages. you’ll join a more intimate space to nurture and transform your relationship with yourself.
if you’re curious to join, you can do so here. and if you’re already a member, thank you from the bottom of my heart, your presence in this space truly means the world.
#21 must be for me because it creates the most discomfort. & I don't know if you did this on purpose, but repeating #s 12 & 29 doesn't hurt to ask twice.