40 New Year Journal Prompts to Make 2023 The Best Year Yet

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Last Updated on October 17, 2022

Looking to kick off the new year by journaling and bettering yourself? You should give yourself a pat on the back because you are already doing AWESOME!

I’m so glad you’re proactive with setting yourself up for success in the new year. These New Year journal prompts will guide you through setting resolutions that matter, reflecting on the highs and lows of last year, and pinpointing your biggest priorities in 2023.

Whether last year was amazing, horrible, or a total blur, what matters more than anything is your next step forward. The new year is always a good opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate. You can always take last year as a learning lesson, making you even better prepared to handle each new year.

As you go through these New Year journal prompts, think to yourself: how will you make this year better than the last?

Table of Contents

Why journal for the new year?

Sometimes, we need to write things out to figure out a sense of direction. Journaling for the new year will help you better visualize it so that you can navigate the next year better! One of the biggest benefits of journaling is mental clarity, because writing down your thoughts helps to organize them.

These New Year journal prompts are the perfect way to guide yourself through the “planning phase” of your new year. You get the chance to reflect on how the previous year went, what you want to keep in your life, and what you want to let go of as you walk into 2023.

If you feel nervous, uncertain, or unprepared in any way right now, journaling will help you overcome those feelings and put your best foot forward!

40 New Year Journal Prompts to Start 2023 in the Best Way

As the New Year begins to sink in, allow these new year journal prompts to guide you in setting your year up for success! These prompts include help with planning your new year resolutions, reflecting on last year, and identifying your priorities in the new year.

Planning Your New Year Resolutions

Do a brain dump of all the things you want to achieve this year.
Which area of your life could use the most attention in the new year?
Think about previous new year resolutions you didn’t follow through with. Why did you steer away from them?
Do you tend to make your goals “too big”?
What good habits would serve you best to implement?
What do you want to do more of this year?
What do you want to do less of?
Did you have any self-destructive habits last year? How can you overcome them?
If you could only achieve one thing this year, what would it be?
How will you practice balance so that you don’t burnout?
Is there a resolution you keep making every year but don’t stick to? Why?
What specific actions will you perform in order to achieve your resolutions?
How will you give yourself grace and self forgiveness if you “fall off the wagon”?

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Reflecting on Last Year

What is your biggest takeaway/learning lesson from last year?
What are 3 things that went well?
What are 3 things that didn’t go so well?
Which month were you at your lowest point?
Which month were you at your highest point?
How can you keep up the things that made last year a success?
How can you create less stress, overwhelm, or negativity this year?
What strides have you made in your personal development last year?
What is something you’ve grown to accept during the last year?
Did you live a balanced lifestyle with adequate time for rest and leisure?
Did you experience burnout? If so, what is the main thing that triggered it?
What limiting beliefs did you experience last year that you’ll leave behind?
What, in your life, is consistently improving year after year?
What are 10 things you’re most grateful for?

Priorities in the New Year

What is the number one thing you want to make a priority this year?
Which area of your life needs to be prioritized more?
Which people do you want to prioritize, and which do you need to create space from?
How can you put yourself first?
What are your main core values?
The affirmation that will empower me the most this year is… (these New Year affirmations will help you decide!)
What would a successful year look like to you?
What do you really want to accomplish?
How can you be kinder and more compassionate to yourself?
What is one way you can change your mindset for the better?
How can you nip any feelings of self-doubt in the bud?
How can you persevere despite the challenges you’ll face?
How can you make more time for self care this year?

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How do you start a New Years journal?

Hey, new year, new habits! There’s no better time than now to start a journal, and the New Year is a prime opportunity to begin a regular journal practice.

Here’s some ideas to think about to help you get started with your journal for the new year:

Would the person I was on January 1st of last year be happy with where I’m at on January 1st of this year?
Am I on the right track with my long-term goals–making steady progress?
Am I giving myself realistic expectations, such as adequate rest and self care, throughout the year?
What do I want to gain out of this next chapter of my life?

The most popular complaint about journaling is that starting is the hardest part. These simple prompts are here to help you over that hurdle!

Let me know in the comments: