62 Journal Prompts for Depression

It wasn’t that long ago when I suffered with depression. I had just given birth to my son and had no idea about what postpartum depression looked or felt like. I was a mess. Luckily, I’m here to help your story be different. Journaling when you are depressed can be a source of freedom. Think of it as a sacred friend who you can talk to about any and everything without fear of judgement.

When you find the journal prompts you like to help you with your depression, you will find a life long friend. Below are the top journal prompts to help with depression that are most recommended.

This post is all about journal prompts for depression

Why you should journal when you are depressed?

You should journal when you are depressed because it is a tool that will allow you to release the negative thoughts you have but are unable to verbally express. The process of journaling the things that bother you is a great way to take your time and analyze your emotions.

Truly, there is something special and therapeutic about journal prompts that guide you through the emotional distress you are facing. If you take your time through each prompt, you will be able to discuss things that you did not recognize were bothering you before.

Similar post: 50 Therapeutic Journal Prompts

Benefits of Journaling’s Include:

Journaling can be a powerful tool for managing depression. Here are some key benefits:

1. Emotional Release

• Writing allows you to express feelings you might struggle to say out loud, providing a safe outlet for emotions.
• It helps you “let go” of pent-up frustration, sadness, or anger, reducing emotional overwhelm.

2. Clarity and Perspective

• Journaling helps untangle thoughts, making it easier to understand what’s truly bothering you.
• It creates space to step back and view situations more objectively, which can reduce feelings of hopelessness.

3. Tracking Patterns and Triggers

• Regular journaling can reveal patterns or triggers that affect your mood.
• Recognizing these patterns empowers you to manage or avoid them.

4. Encourages Gratitude

• Gratitude journaling focuses on positives, even small ones, which can help shift your mindset and improve mood over time.
• Reflecting on what you’re thankful for can counteract negative thought spirals.

5. Problem-Solving

• Writing helps organize thoughts, which can make challenges feel more manageable.
• It encourages creative solutions you might not have considered otherwise.

6. Improves Self-Awareness

• Journaling promotes self-reflection, allowing you to explore and better understand your feelings, behaviors, and needs.
• This self-awareness can foster personal growth and healing.

7. Provides a Sense of Control

• When life feels overwhelming, journaling gives you a tangible way to regain some control over your thoughts and emotions.
• It creates a sense of routine and stability, which is comforting during difficult times.

8. Tracks Progress

• Reviewing past entries shows how far you’ve come, even if progress feels slow.
• Seeing personal growth can instill hope and motivate continued healing.

9. Boosts Communication Skills

• Journaling helps you articulate your feelings, which can improve how you communicate with others about your depression.
• It can also help you prepare for conversations with therapists or loved ones.

10. Acts as a Safe Space

• Your journal is a judgment-free zone where you can express anything without fear.
• This helps build trust in yourself and your ability to navigate difficult emotions.

You may also like: How To Find Your Passion When You Are Depressed

What to write when you’re depressed

Journaling prompts for depression

1. Write about a wound from your past that you’re ready to heal?
2. What are the beliefs that you need to change to facilitate your emotional healing?
3. What can help you process and renew for your healing?
4. List the steps you can take to move forward with healing?
5. When was the last time you practice self-care and how did it make you feel?
6. How could you use your love language to heal yourself?
7. What could you just sit and admire?
8. What past experiences do you think about often?
9. How do these thoughts affect my mood?
10. What mindset shifts can I make to feel better about those memories?
11. How do your emotions impact your daily life?
12. When do you feel the most whole?
13. Describe a moment in your life when you felt healed and focused on the future? What can you learn about that time?
14. Write a note to your future self that speaks about transformation and growth?
15. Make a list of the things you can do you pull yourself out of depression?
16. What do you love the most?
17. List the mental habits that contribute to your depression?
18. What do I feel right now and what made me feel that way?
19. What memories attached to bad emotions do you have?
20. Do you feel like its hard to get rid of those emotions

Mental health journal prompts

1. What’s the biggest lie I tell myself?
2. When was the last time I allowed forgiveness?
3. What would it take to forgive myself?
4. How can I change the thoughts I have about forgiveness?
5. In what ways have I allowed myself to heal?
6. List the things I have accomplished towards my mental healing?
7. How can I accept the things that I can not change?
8. What are the ways that I can show myself more self respect?
9. What emotions do I try to hide?
10. How do I react to compliments and praises?
11. What emotions do I tend to repress or avoid and why?
12. How do I want to feel on a daily basis?
13. How do I want to feel next month?
14. What risk are you glad you took?
15. Describe your core values?
16. List the things that are holding you back?
17. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
18. How do you feel about handle failure?
19. What’s your dream life?
20. What’s your relationship with fear?

Journal prompts for healing

1. What what you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
2. How do you handle strees?
3. List some healthy alternatives?
4. When do you feel the most confident?
5. List the people who make you feel heard and safe?
6. How do you express gratitude for them?
7. If there was one thing you could change about your relationships with others what would it be and why?
8. Write a short story about a moment when you felt healed?
9. What steps can I take to be the most healed version of myself?
10. If I could relive one moment what would it be?
11. How can I add to my happiness?
12. Am I doing all that I can to heal from trauma? If not, what can I do better?
13. Which part of your life do you need to change and why?
14. What truth about yourself are you denying?
15. Name something that you loved but stopped doing? why?
16. If your life was a book, what would you want your one page summary to say?
17. What sacrifices are you willing to make today for your healing journey
18. Why are you worth it all?
19. What or who makes you light up?
20. Write 5 affirmation that genuinly make you feel good?
21. How can you display main character energy?
22. List 3 ways to say i love you to yourself?
23. How does your thought process impact your emotions?

This post was all about journal prompts for depression