School of Life Writing Journal

The act of writing things down is one of the simplest but most effective ways of seeing what we really want, what’s truly at stake – and where we might go next. It’s simply the finest route to knowing oneself.

This is a journal that honours the act of writing as a road to greater calm, joy and self-awareness.

Use it as a place to capture, tame and explore everything that might otherwise flap restlessly or unfruitfully in the mind; make this a privileged repository of all that you feel, remember, think – and are.

Examples

So here are a set of prompts that may direct us to some fruitful topics for reflection and self-exploration. Use them to find inspiration and encouragement. Each of the prompts can engage the mind in some of the things that matter most and helps us to better understand ourselves and our priorities.

What I’m really anxious about now...

Who I want to be this time next year.

What I’ve learnt that I need in love.

Imagine yourself aged five; how could you be comforting and reassuring?