78 May Journal Prompts For Inspiring Daily Writing.

This post was updated March 15th 2024.

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May Journal Prompts For Inspiring Daily Writing.

Did you know there’s a place you can visit to discover your dreams, let go of your worries, and speak to your inner wisdom?

It’s called your Journal.

Pin me for reading later!

Journaling has been around long before it became the buzz trend it is today.

Virginia Woolf, Frida Kahlo, Helen Keller, Jane Austen. One thing these women all had in common was their habit of journal writing. A written record of their struggles and life experiences.

Modern day journaling may stem more from a place of self-discovery. But the power of keeping a written journal is still very much alive.

Just look at the giants of personal growth and success. Oprah Winfrey has been using a journal since her teenage years and Mel Robbins created the epic 5 Second Journal (possible for even the busiest of mothers?).

I love my journal. I use it to track my emotions and moods, download any stressful events or simply for the joy of creative writing.

Ready to step forward into the month of May with these journal writing prompts?

May Journal Prompts.

I think May is a great time to journal (as well as January, February and all the other months).

What are some good journal prompts for May?

That’s where I step in.

I love journaling and creating lots of thought provoking and inspiring prompt ideas for you.

How did you get on with the April Journal Prompts from last month?

Well, I’ve done it again. I’ve created a series of May journal writing prompts to get you into the journal writing zone.

Before you start, can you answer a quick question for me, please?

When do you prefer to write in your journal? In the morning, last thing at night or whenever you have a few spare moments (shouting out to all the time poor super moms out there).

Your answer will help me decide on some upcoming posts for the blog, so please let me know with a quick comment below.

Thanks in advance.

78 May Journal Prompts.

May Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection.

My favorite thing about journaling is the chance you get to explore and observe your thoughts, personality traits and values (and how these change over the years). It can also be a way to document your life story for the future. It’s nice to look back on photos, but having a written journal is a memory store in words.

May is fully into Spring but not quite Summer. The perfect time to have a look at what’s working and what needs to change. Use these creative writing prompts to find clarity.

Try these prompt ideas for May self-reflection.

What do you love most about your unique personality?
What aspect of your personality do you struggle with the most?
How are you feeling about this year so far?
What has brought you the most happiness so far this year?
Describe one event that has changed an opinion or idea you held?
What is your favorite John F. Kennedy quote?
How are you doing with your goals for the year?
What lesson did you learn in the past year? How are you putting this lesson into action?
What one change can you make this month to live more aligned with your personal values?
What lesson would you love to gift to your younger self?
Write your perfect day. What happens, how do you feel, where do you go, who do you see?
What would your best friend say is your highest quality?
What makes you happiest?
Do you love or loathe stepping out of your comfort zone?
My favorite memories of May days are……
Describe your perfect May vacation.

May Journal Prompts For Relationships.

Women Laughing Together-May Journal Prompts

It’s normal to have different relationships at different stages of your life.

Loving, strong, and positive relationships is something that take time and energy.

Journaling about your relationships with other people can help you express gratitude for the people in your life, uncover relationships that no longer serve you, and understand the importance of the bonds you share with others.

Try these May prompt ideas for relationships.

What do you value most in a relationship?
Who makes you laugh the most?
Who challenges you the most?
Which person (or people) do you feel you can be totally yourself around?
Are you an introvert or extrovert (or somewhere in between)? How does this affect your relationship with others?
How do you feel about asking for help from other people?
Who is your closest friend? How do you feel when you are with them?
List all the people you are grateful to have in your life.
Who do you dread seeing? What feelings does this person bring up?
Who do you need to set better boundaries with?
Can you remember your first crush? (just for fun).
Who would you like to go on a May vacation with?
Is there one person you would like to connect with on a more regular basis? (I still video call with my friend in Australia every month, distance is no barrier to friendships now).
How do you show kindness and compassion to others?
How do you expect others to show respect to you?

May Journal Prompts For Moms.

Happy Mom Holding Child-May Journal Prompts

Mumtastic Life is all about helping other mothers to find a more intentional, happy, and joyful way to live.

My journey from worried, grumpy and impatient to being a happy mom was a long and winding path. Journaling has been a huge part of this process.

If you are a stressed and time poor mom, I invite you this May to gift yourself some self-love. You don’t need perfect writing skills, a gorgeous journal (even though I love a pretty journal cover) or even to journal daily.

You just need to give yourself a few minutes and write. Then let the process work it’s magic.

Try these May writing prompts for Moms.

When do you feel most content?
What is your favorite way to relax?
How do you reset after bad days?
What new ideas do your children inspire in you?
How would you love to start every single day? (I created my simple morning routine from this journal prompt).
What family activity do you love in May?
What seasonal favorite food does your family like to eat in May?
Why is family life important to you?
What do you love most about being with your children in Spring?
How could you help grow your child’s confidence this year?
How do you show yourself self-love?
Which mom do you most look up to?
How can you be more intentional as a mom?
What are you looking forward to this summer? (family trips, campfires, longer days).
How has becoming a mother changed you?

May Journal Prompts for Self-Development and Goals.

Self Development is a lifelong journey, not a destination. It’s something you can always work on and a way to remind you of your values and dreams.

It does not matter what age you are, what job you do, or what choices you have made. You can start anytime you like. How about now? Try these may journal prompts for self development to gain a little inspiration.

What is your most important goal for this year? Has it changed since January?
How can you make May your “success month”? What 3 steps can you commit to this month?
What is the ONE GOAL you must achieve this month?
Describe your ideal day. How can you live this now?
What goal no longer aligns for you? Say goodbye to it.
Make a May bucket list.
Did you achieve a goal last month? How has this helped you?
List 10 things that make you happy.
Create a daily mantra for living a joyful, abundant life.
Why do you refuse to give up on your own self-development?
Do you have any unhealthy habits you can drop in May?
What does the best version of you look like? How does she walk, dress, talk?
How can you feel more fulfilled in your life? Can you do anything to achieve this, even in a small way?
Do you avoid going out of your comfort zone? Why is this?
List one positive change you have achieved this year.

May Journal Prompts for Gratitude and Happiness.

Woman In Pink Top Hands On Heart-May Journal Prompts

An intentional and happy life starts with developing a sense of gratitude. If you observe and be grateful for all the small blessings you already have, watch how your happiness increases.

Gratitude journaling is such a simple, positive way to increase the joy in life. What’s not to love? The good news is you can start increasing your gratitude today.

Tip: Feel you have nothing to be grateful for? Sometimes it’s hard to see the good that is right in front of you (I’ve been there). Keep it tiny. “I am grateful for this sunny morning, mug of tea, parking space……”. Hunt out the positive, no matter how small.

What made you smile today?
Why is May such a great month?
What simple things are you grateful for right now?
What is your happiest memory?
What do you love about where you live?
How could you help someone less fortunate that yourself this month?
Write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your life.
What was your favorite meal this week?
How does May make your feel?
Write about a great day you’ve had this month?
What’s your favorite time of the day? Why do you love it?
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Create a poem or song for May Day, maybe use your favorite magical creatures from folklore.
Write a letter to your mother or a special woman in your life for Mother’s Day (Sunday 14th May in the US or the last Sunday in March for those of you in the UK).
Who are you most grateful for right now?
Why do you love your home?
What have you taken for granted this month?

How to use your journal prompts

There really isn’t a best way to use journal prompts. The only thing that matters is you give journaling a go. You won’t know if it works for you until you try it.

Here are a few ideas for creating a journal routine you will enjoy.

Buy yourself a new journal, something that is in your style and looks appealing.
Write a few inspirational quotes throughout your journal.
Print (or download) your journal prompts and keep them with your journal.
Chose a time that works for you and try to create a new habit by being consistent with it.
Update or get rid of any prompts that don’t resonate with you. Make them your own.

May Journal Prompts List For Self Reflection

Final thoughts on May Journal Prompts.

Do you feel journaling is another task to tick off the to-do list? Or are you already familiar with the benefits of journaling?

It took me several years to work out what I needed to find my own mental wellness. Sometimes things just can’t be rushed.

If you want to give journaling a go but you’ve been putting it off, May could be the perfect time to try it. Let these journal prompts give you a helping hand.

Apparently, in the United States May is National Salad Month, I wonder if journaling about salad will take off? Maybe not, but you should still eat your plants.

For me this month I am all about the gratitude journal prompts, I love this time of year.

What are the best May Journal Prompts for you and have I missed any off this list?

Don’t forget to let me know in the comments which time of the day you prefer to journal.

The good thing is there’s no wrong way to journal, so leap into May with a light step and some self-reflection before the hectic energy of summer.

Happy May writing.

Amanda x

Frequently Asked Questions About Journal Prompts.

When is the best time to journal?

Journaling is better first thing in the morning when your head is clear and the last thing at night to get thoughts out of your head before sleep. That said, if you have a busy life you can journal anytime you find the space. It’s all good for your emotional wellbeing, mental health, and creativity. Daily journal writing is a bonus no matter when you fit it in.

The best thing about daily journaling is you can spend as little or as much time, there’s no rules.

How do I deal with negative thoughts in a journal?

If you find yourself stuck in a negative thought pattern, sometimes simply writing those thoughts down can be enough to break that loop. The first step to any change is observation. Journaling is a great way to do this. Remember that it takes time to change ingrained thought patterns.

What are journal prompts for?

Journaling prompts are questions, ideas or story starters to get you thinking and inspired to write in your journal. You may not need help to journal but some people find having a prompt an easy and essential part of the writing process. There are different writing different writing prompts depending on whether you are using a bullet journal, gratitude journal, creative journal or drawing journal.