Last Updated on September 18, 2023 by Lori
Bedtime is the perfect time to reflect on your day and unwind from the stresses of life. It’s also a great time to start a journaling practice. Sometimes, it’s helpful to use journal prompts – questions that you answer during your journaling session to guide you in your writing. Here are 16 bedtime journal prompts covering topics from gratitude to self-care to planning for the future.
Writing in a journal before bed can help improve sleep, and promote positive thinking. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
Bedtime is the best time for daily reflection, as the day’s events are still fresh in your mind. Recording your daily reflection helps you see patterns, set goals, and plan for the days ahead.

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Benefits of Journaling At Night:
- You can reflect on your day while it’s still fresh in your mind.
- It can help you to de-stress and relax.
- It provides an outlet for your emotions and thoughts.
- Creativity and problem-solving abilities are often at their peak in the evening.
- Studies have suggested that journaling at bedtime leads to better sleep.
When you journal at night, the events of the day are still fresh in your mind. You’ll remember events in greater detail, as well as your feelings and reactions to those events.
You have time to reflect and process them before bed. This in turn will help you to sleep much better.
16 Bedtime Journal Prompts
Here are sixteen questions that will take your writing in five different directions. Choose the prompt that best suits your needs at any given time.
Take as much time as you feel you need for a complete response, including answers, reasoning, emotions, and conflicted thoughts. Your journal is yours alone, so do not edit your responses – get it all out there on paper!
Prompts To Help You Reflect on Your Day
- What are you proud of accomplishing today?
- What is something you learned or discovered today?
- How would you change something you wish you’d done differently?
Prompts To Inspire Gratitude
- What are 3 things you are thankful for today?
- Who is someone you are grateful to have in your life? Why?
- What was the one best thing that happened today?
Prompts To Plan for The Future
- What’s on your to-do list or plan for tomorrow?
- Are there actions you can you take tomorrow to move yourself closer to one of your goals?
- What act of kindness will you do tomorrow?
Prompts That Build Mindfulness
- Was there a moment of peace in your day? Describe how it felt.
- Where did you find happiness today?
- Describe your overall mood, or how your moods changed throughout the course of the day.
Prompts To Encourage Self-care
- What did you do today that was just for yourself?
- What activity nourishes your body and soul?
- Did you set appropriate boundaries today?
- What are things you “need to do” tomorrow that you can delegate to someone else?
Read More:
- How to Start Journaling: 50 Incredibly Effective Tips for Beginners
- Can Journaling Before Bed Help You Sleep Better?
- What is the Best Time of Day to Journal?
Final Thoughts on 16 Bedtime Journal Prompts to Encourage Your Nightime Writing
Journaling before bed is the perfect way to process your thoughts and feelings.
These sixteen prompts guide you into reflection, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-care to improve your overall well-being.
It’s important to remember that you can adapt this list to fit your needs and you may come up with your own prompts to use as you become more comfortable with the practice.
SAVE THESE PROMPTS TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!


