31 Daily October Journal Prompts For Staying Grounded In Reality
These journal prompts are a bit different to the typical October journal prompts. These ones are highly focused on staying present in the moment and strengthening your mind-body connection.
I’ve always seen October as the start of the holiday season because once Halloween hits, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner. Whenever I’ve maintained a level of groundedness throughout the holiday season everything seems to work out much better.
This is why I decided to focus solely on incorporating grounding exercises in these October journal prompts so that you can start your holiday season the right way with a clear mind.
Why you should journal
Many studies have shown that developing a journaling habit is a great way to manage stress and provide clarity in thinking. There have even been studies that link journaling/expressive writing to better lung and liver function and fewer visits to the hospital!
So you can see why so many medical and therapeutic professionals are encouraging their clients to journal. It’s not another woo-woo fad. The benefits are really real!
I journal often because it helps me stay connected with myself and enables me to make better decisions that are in alignment with my values.
If you’re a perfectionist, it is super important that you take the time to consistently journal because it will help you learn more about how your perfectionism manifests in your life and give you a starting base for developing realistic coping strategies.
What does being grounded mean?
Being grounded means you are connected to the present moment and in alignment with your true self. When you’re in this grounded state you feel emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually balanced and possess an inner calm.
You feel in control of yourself and understand that you can only control yourself which makes you able to let go of the things outside of your circle of influence.
I like to focus on improving my feelings of groundedness in October because it enables me to fully accept that summer is long gone and also mentally prepare for the build-up of the fast-paced holiday season.
Basically, I’m choosing to start as I mean to go on.
31 Daily Journal prompts for October
- What does being “grounded” mean to me personally?
- When do I feel most overwhelmed, and why?
- What is something I’ve done this week that I’m really proud of (can be big or small)?
- What are three areas in my life where I can be okay with imperfection?
- How does perfectionism affect my relationships with others?
- What are my top priorities this month, and why do they matter?
- What would a balanced day look like for me?
- How do I define success, and does it align with my wellbeing?
- Am I pushing myself too hard in some areas of my life?
- What activities help me stay present and grounded?
- What’s one thing I can do to nurture my body today?
- What is one thing I can let go of today to reduce stress?
- What are my fears around not being perfect?
- How can I enjoy the process of doing things in life?
- How can I practise self-compassion today?
- What is one area where I can allow myself to be more flexible?
- What am I grateful for in my life right now?
- Does practising gratitude help me in my healing journey?
- Who supports me in my life and makes me feel safe and secure?
- How can I make time for the things that make me feel the most like myself?
- What can I do this week to slow down and appreciate the moment?
- How can I better manage my time to avoid burnout?
- What are my core values, and how do they help me make decisions?
- What is one thing I can say “no” to this month to protect my energy?
- What things are holding me back from growth?
- What would it look like to focus on progress instead of perfection?
- How can I incorporate more fun into my routine? e.g. playing games
- What’s one key lesson I’ve learned about myself so far this month?
- What are three things I can do next month to stay connected to my values?
- How do I feel after prioritising balance over perfection this month?
- What am I most proud of accomplishing this October, even if it’s not perfect?
How to use these journal prompts
- Find a quiet place: It doesn’t have to be a sacred place filled with incense and posters of ‘good vibes, good life’. It can be if you want but all you really need is somewhere comfortable and without distractions.
- Daily practice: Morning or evening, it’s up to you. Personally, I like to write reflection journal entries in the evening and do planning entries in the morning. But it all depends on your routine and needs.
- Pick and choose: You don’t have to follow the order. Skip some prompts, and/or circle back later. This is for you, not a checklist.
- Customise: Feel free to add your own prompts or make amendments so that it meets your needs. These are just ideas to get you started and are definitely not set in stone.
- One sentence or pages and pages: You might have A LOT to say on one day and then on another day barely write anything. That’s completely fine. I use both a one-line-a-day journal and a ‘diary’ style journal where I write pages of thoughts. Do whatever works for you.
- Be consistent: Make it a habit. Maybe right before bed, maybe just after breakfast. Just stick with it. Habit stack it to something you already do, and you’ll make it second nature.
How are you going to use these journal prompts in October?
So hopefully, these journal prompts will help you go through October with a level head with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
I personally like to focus on staying grounded in October because I know that if I don’t start as I mean to go on, November and December tend to fly by and cause so much chaos in my life.
Maybe you don’t want to focus on staying grounded this month, and that’s okay. You can check out my other monthly journal prompts below and find something that is more suitable for your needs.
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