40 New Year Journal Prompts to Make 2024 Your Best Year

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Last Updated on November 30, 2023

Whether last year was amazing, horrible, or a total blur, it’s your next step forward that makes the biggest impact.

Before I started truly reflecting on how previous years shaped me, I felt like I was just stumbling into the next year with zero direction. Learn from my mistakes–don’t let that be you! The new year is your opportunity to absorb what the last 12 months taught you, applying it to the year ahead for your ultimate success.

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 2024.

No matter which prompts you choose, the defining question to ask yourself is: how will you make this year better than the last?

Table of Contents

40 New Year Journal Prompts to Start 2024 in the Best Way

Be on top of your game this new year with these journal prompts that cover it all, like:

Planning your new year resolutions
Reflecting on last year’s challenges and successes
Welcoming more balance into your life
Clarifying your priorities for the year ahead

Don’t forget about these New Year journal prompts! Pin ’em to come back later!

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”?

Questions to Reflect 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?

Finding Your 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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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 2024.

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!

How do you start a New Year 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 are some simple ways to introduce journaling into your routine this new year:

Simple bullet point lists – start with as little as “3 things I’m grateful for today” and expand from there. You can also try “10 yearly goals I want to achieve” or “50 things that make me smile.” Instead of feeling like you’re writing an essay, lists can make journaling less daunting!
Daily wins – do you ever end the day feeling like you got nothing done? You’re probably doing more than you realize! By reflecting on all of today’s wins (no matter how small–making your bed is a win!), you boost your confidence and get to savor that sweet sense of reward.
One-word mantra – start each day with a “word of the day” or “affirmation of the day” and let it guide your journal entry. Let’s say you choose “fulfillment,” you can let your mind take you to whatever fulfillment means in your life!
Letter to your future self – What better way to kick off the new year than with a letter to yourself to read by the next January 1st? Write about all your wishes, hopes, and dreams for yourself a year from today. Then, set a reminder in your phone to follow up and read it!

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

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