As the New Year approaches, it presents us with the perfect time to reflect, to slow down and to take a minute to think about how we’d like to approach the next chapter… 2023. If you’re looking for New Year journal prompts for 2023, this is the post for you.

Of course, you can choose to start a new chapter any day of the year but there’s something magical about a new year that gives you the motivation to really do something different. Right?

Whether last year was a difficult one for you, a devastating one for you, a great one for you, a slow one for you or an average one for you, there’s one thing we all have in common… we are growing through it all.

Regardless of how many individual or collective challenges life has thrown your way over the past year, you are always growing, you are always learning and you are always moving forward (even if it doesn’t feel like it).

Journaling is a wonderful way to check-in with yourself and really validate everything you’ve been through and everything you’d like to manifest.

If you’re completely new to journaling, see my beginner’s guide to journalling here. If you’re looking for some other wellbeing ideas and practices click here.

Other posts you may like…

• What is journaling? 10 journal prompts and ideas for you
• 10-minute inner joy visualisation and journal prompts
• New Moon Journal Prompts 
• Full Moon Journal Prompts 
• 12 bedtime journal prompts
• How to be happier: tips for a more fulfilling life
• 20 promises to make to yourself

EXPLORE MORE WELLBEING POSTS

With these New Year journal prompts for 2023 you will create a space in which you can reflect on:

• the challenges you have overcome
• the joy you have experienced 
• the things you are grateful for
• the things you’d like to work on
• the things you are proud of
• the things you celebrate in your self

These are just a few of the themes we will work through in these new year journals prompts.

To get started you will need:

• a journal / paper
• a pen
• a comfortable space to sit / lie down
• a cup of tea / your favourite cosy drink

I always like to create/be in a calm and cosy space when I’m journalling. Consider heading into nature for a walk and doing your journalling on a bench by the ocean / in the forest / in the fresh air. If you’re journaling at home, light a candle / some incense or pop on your diffuser.

You can shop all my favourite wellbeing home accessories here.

15 New Year journal prompts for 2023

1. Write down one word to describe your 2022

Honesty is the best policy here. Get down and first with it. Whatever comes to your mind first.

2. My biggest challenge of 2022 was…

What was the most difficult challenge you faced? How did it feel? What did it make you realise? How did you approach it? How did you find the resources to get through it? What did you learn?

3. 3 lessons that 2022 taught me include:

Write down your three biggest takeaways from the last year.

4. 2022 was the year that I…

Finish the sentence. Write down the first thing that comes to mind!

5. I’m proud of the way I … in 2022.

Fill in the blank. What did you deal with? What did you work through? What did you accomplish? What are you proud of yourself for? If there’s more than one… write them all down! The more the better!

6. I allow myself to grieve the fact that I…

Just because you may be lucky in the grand scheme of things and perhaps your feelings feel like ‘first world problems’ – it doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t valid.

You are allowed to grieve the fact that you couldn’t do the things you wanted to this last year. You are allowed to grieve the plans that got cancelled and the ways in which you had to adapt away from the ideal outcome. Whatever it is you need to grieve, you are allowed to grieve it. Only by processing emotions can you move through them and clear them. Don’t push them down. Honour how you feel.

7. I allow myself to celebrate the fact that I…

Just like with the previous journal prompt, allow yourself to express joy and happiness too. Try not to feel guilty about the things you have to celebrate in your life. Just because you may be celebrating something that someone else can’t it doesn’t mean your joy isn’t valid.

Allow your joy and positive vibrations to ripple through the world and spread light. The world needs more of that.

8. I forgive myself for…

Things don’t always go to plan hey? Hold some space to forgive yourself for anything that didn’t quite go to plan this year. Hold some space to forgive yourself for anything you perhaps wish you’d have said differently or any situations in which you behaved in a way you aren’t proud of.

Stop punishing yourself. We all make mistakes, that’s what makes us human. 

Stay accountable, forgive yourself and move forwards. Now that you know better, its time to do better.

9. 3 beautiful moments that stand out to me from 2022 are…

Write them down, in detail!

This new year journal prompt is all about focusing on the moments you are grateful for in the past year. It wasn’t all bad was it?

10. I couldn’t have done 2022 without…

It may be an object, a practise, an activity, a fluffy friend of yours or a human being that stood by your side and listened when you really needed it.

Take a minute to write down the things and the people you are most grateful for. The people that have helped you get where you are today.

Go the extra mile and, if its a human you’re grateful for, send them a message or even a card to extend your gratitude for their presence. Kindness is the most beautiful thing to spread.

11. 5 goals I’d like to achieve in 2023 are…

It could be a personal goal, a career goal, a relationship goal… anything!

What would you like to achieve this coming year?

12. 3 things I’d like to open my heart to this year in 2023

Do you want to open your heart to a new career? To love? To forgiveness? To your parents? To healthy, challenging conversations?

What personal things do you feel like you have barriers up against? What do you fear? What would you like to move through or open the door to this year?

13. 3 things I’d like to try this year in 2023

Go on. Dare yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and write down some wild things, some things you’ve always wanted to try, some things you keep putting off. Let 2023 be the year you give them a go… you never know where they will lead.

14. What qualities do you want to take from 2022 into 2023?

What did you learn last year? How did you grow last year? How is that going to help you step more into the person you want to become this year?

Did you have a breakup? Did you learn how to put in boundaries? How will those boundaries help you in the next chapter of your life?

15. Whats your word for 2023, what would you like it to bring you?

Manifest the year you’d like to have. What will it be filled with? What would you like to focus on this year? One word.

What comes to mind? Write it down!

That’s it for your New Year journal prompts for 2023!

Mollie

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