101 Creative Journal Prompts for Adults – Fun and Unusual Ideas to Spark your Creativity

Keeping a creative journal is a great way to exercise your imagination and explore your creativity. But if you’re struggling for ideas about what to write or draw about, it can be tough to get started.

We know how hard it can be to come up with new ideas day after day. If you find yourself stuck in a rut, your creative journal can become a reminder of how un-creative you feel. It’s important to have some go-to journal prompts on hand to help you break out of that funk and start getting those creative juices flowing again.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of creative journal prompts. There’s something for everyone here, whether you want to draw or paint more or improve your writing or storytelling skills these prompts will improve your imagination and help you to come up with plenty of new ideas for things to journal about. These writing prompts are a great way to get over any creative blocks you may have.

The best thing about these prompts is that they can be used over and over again, so you never have to worry about running out of things to write about. They’re also great for when you’re feeling stuck in a rut and need some inspiration. 

101 Creative Journal Prompts for Adults

1. Write about a time when you overcame something difficult.
2. Write about a favourite new song, what does it make you think of?
3. Draw or paint using only one colour.
4. Write about someone you admire and why.
5. Choose a random word or quote and fill one of your blank pages with it. Decorate your word using different mediums. This is a great way to start a new journal.
6. Write about your favourite season and what it reminds you of.
7. Write a list of journal writing prompts for yourself.
8. Describe your current surroundings in as much detail as you can. What can you hear, see, smell, feel?
9. Cut up a magazine or some old artwork, and create a collage with the pieces.
10. Draw your day using stick figures.
11. Draw or write about different ways you could show someone you love them.
12. Think of an animal that you feel drawn to and write about why.
13. Write a letter to your future self.
14. Would you rather have the ability to fly or breathe underwater?
15. It’s nighttime and you’re walking along a quiet country road. How did you get there? What can you see and smell?
16. Make a list of things you want to achieve in the next year.
17. What are some of your fears and how can you overcome them?
18. Are you an introvert or extrovert? How does this affect your journaling?
19. What are some of your favourite things? Why do you like them?
20. Describe your favourite colour without using its name.
21. Think of someone who has had a positive influence in your life and write about why they’re important to you.
22. If you could time travel to any time and place in history where would it be and why?
23. What would be your dream holiday destination be? Write about it in as much detail as you can, including what you would do and see.
24. Write about somewhere you’ve travelled to in the past. Maybe you didn’t keep a travel journal at the time, what would you write about if you were re-living it now.
25. Hand letter a quote that inspires you, and write about what it means to you.
26. What would be your dream vacation destination? Write about where you would go and what you would do there
27. What is your favourite book? Why?
28. If you could meet anybody from history who would it be and what would you talk about?
29. What kind of person do you want to be? How can journaling help you get there? 
30. Write about the first thing you did today.
31. If you could be any insect what would you be and why?
32. Aliens have landed and you can ask one question, what would it be and what do you think the answer would be?
33. You’re walking through a dense forest, what do you see and smell?
34. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
35. Use your journal as a place to work through problems. Write down what’s worrying you and see if you can come up with some solutions.
36. Describe your perfect day.
37. What’s your favourite hobby and what do you enjoy about it.
38. What is your first memory? How old are you?
39. What are some things you want to learn or accomplish in the next year?
40. Draw or paint a picture of your favourite place.
41. Fill a page with polka dots or flowers.
42. You’ve just won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy?
43. Imagine you’re a Viking. What would you think of the modern world?
44. If you could pass on one piece of advice what would it be?
45. What is your favourite memory?
46. If you could see into the future would you want to?
47. Draw a mandala.
48. Write a short story about a river.
49. Draw inspiration from nature. Go for a walk and take some photos, then use them as a starting point for your journaling. Write a fictional story about a scene you have captured.
50. Write a dream journal. What is the strangest dream you’ve had recently and how could you interpret it
51. Draw an object from your kitchen counter.
52. You’re 10 years older. What advice would you give your current self?
53. Start a gratitude journal. Write down things you are thankful for each day.
54. Make a vision board by cutting out images from magazines that inspire you.
55. If you could only cast one spell what would it be?
56. What is your favourite food? Describe how it tastes, smells, and looks in detail.
57. Write about a time when you were really proud of yourself.
58. Draw the view from your window.
59. When was the last time you did something for the first time? What was it and how did it feel?
60. If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be?
61. Fill a page with line art doodles and colour in any blank spaces with ink.
62. Write about your favourite Christmas memories.
63. If you could meet an artist from any period in history, who would it be and what would you ask them?
64. If you could solve any historical mystery what would it be?
65. What’s something you’ve never understood but been reluctant to ask about?
66. If you could hold the world record for something what would it be?
67. Write brain dumps at the end of each day.
68. Draw your day as a comic book spread.
69. What is art? Is there anything that can’t be considered art?
70. Write a letter to yourself in 20 years time.
71. Describe an object in front of you without naming it. Draw a diagram of it that details its main features.
72. Draw your favourite animal and write about what it would feel like to be that animal.
73. If you’re pushed for time, describe your day in one sentence.
74. Write about your favourite day of the year?
75. Draw a map of a fantasy landscape. Write about who lives in this world and what they do all day.
76. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
77. Pick a random word and write a 6 word story about it .
78. Brainstorm ideas for a new project or creative endeavour you want to start.
79. Create a mind map of your thoughts and feelings.
80. Would you rather attend a Halloween party or a spooky movie night?
81. Draw a picture of yourself as you see yourself in the future.
82. How would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
83. If you could solve once scientific problem what would it be and why?
84. What are some of your favourite quotes? Why do they resonate with you?
85. What makes you feel most alive?
86. You’re spending the night in a haunted house, how do you feel?
87. If you could have any career in the world, what would it be?
88. What are some things you want to learn or accomplish in the next year?
89. Draw or doodle a list of your bucket list items.
90. Write about some ways you could be more creative in your everyday life.
91. What makes you feel most alive?
92. Scribble over an entire page.
93. Make a list of books to read or movies to watch.
94. You can invent anything you like – what wouzld it be? 
95. Write about a time when you overcame something difficult.
96. Draw or paint a picture of your favourite place.
97. What is your favourite memory?
98. What are you passionate about? 
99. What are you curious about?
100. Make a list of things you’re thankful for, no matter how small.
101. Set some goals. What do you want to achieve in the next month, year, or even decade?

Journalling can be a great way to exercise your imagination. If you’re a creative person then giving your imagination a workout is important to develop and enhance your skills. It can also be a fun way to spend some time exploring new ideas and concepts. 

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your journaling journey. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to journalling, so have fun with it and see where your creativity takes you! If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our blank journal ideas for some great ways to use up your notebook stash!