Self Esteem Journal Prompts to Boost Your Writing Confidence
I won't generalize about all writers and their level of self-esteem. Just know that our ego can play a role in how successful - or not successful - we think we are.
But, if you have low self-esteem about yourself or your writing that can make writing (and submitting your work) challenging.
I have struggled with low self-esteem in the past and it definitely impacted my writing.
It also held me back from writing at all, which hurt me deeply. It hurts to think about something you're so passionate about will never be good "enough."
The good news? There are good things to come. Because self-esteem can be bolstered, and the negative thoughts we may have about ourselves or our work can be re-wired with a little bit of work.
When I'd get stuck with a scene or struggle to start a new story, my brain would hurl negative thoughts and doomsday ideas of never finishing. I have worked for the last year to change that voice into an encouraging one.
One of the ways I did this was by writing positive, present-tense affirmations about my writing. First, though, I had to face my inner critic and better understand where my fears and limiting beliefs about my writing stemmed from. That is where the journalling came in.
One of the best ways to boost your confidence level is by challenging the negative belief that pops into your head and reframing it.
Which, can be hard, at first! But with practice, you'll find you're able to leave your original comfort zone and give yourself the best compliment: self-acceptance and self-love.
How? By writing and working through self-esteem journal prompts that will help you reframe your thought patterns.
Our brain is a powerful tool we can work with, which feels so much better than working against!
Think about how self-esteem is important for creative writers and how it relates to their writing process. Then, reflect on the times when self-doubts or negative self-talk have held you back from reaching your potential as a writer.
There is a wrong way to write, it turns out, and it's any writing that hurts you. Rather than letting yourself get stuck, try the great tool of journaling and find a different perspective that is a little more positive.
How can journaling help build self-confidence by exploring these issues? By creating a safe space to face your worst fears, and by rerouting those harsh words into more productive, nonjudgmental observations.
The next time you catch yourself wishing you had high self-esteem, remember that you can build towards it!
Think about your writing role models. What do you imagine their self-esteem is like? I guarantee they've had doubt about their writing, even after they published.
Don't beleive me? Look up some interviews with your favorite authors! Even the greats have struggled. Writing is an art form, and art is hard.
Then, think back to how has self-esteem impacted your writing journey. What are some things that you have learned about self-esteem and how it influences creative writing? Is there a time you held yourself back?
What self-talk do you repeat to yourself that could be undermining your self-esteem? How can you learn to be kinder and more encouraging to yourself as a writer?
Another helpful journal exercises is to think about the successes in your writing journey, no matter how small they may seem.
It's easy to overlook or forget the accomplishments, but the most important thing is that you can always go back and look again at your progress. Small things add up to big outcomes!
The first time you sit down with these prompts you may feel uncomfortable, anxious, or "stupid." It's ok to be uncomfortable! And you're definitely not stupid.
Trying a new thing takes some practice and the first step is to just try. The great thing is that you can set these prompts down and pick them back up when you're feeling ready again.
So, grab your favorite journal or notebook, and take a crack at these self esteem journal prompts. Hint: if you're really having trouble, try treating yourself to a new notebook that is especially for this project. Give yourself permission to become your own best friend and #1 champion.
Self Esteem Journal Prompts
These will have you thinking about your writing, your writing process, and your self-esteem levels now.
- What do I admire about my writing?
- How can I be kinder to myself when self-doubt creeps in?
- What do I need to do to feel inspired and motivated to write again?
- What are some self-care steps that I can take to make sure I'm writing from a place of self-esteem?
-What is the first thing my brain tries to tell me when writing starts to feel hard? Is the thought true? How can I think differently?
Try these journal prompts that encourage positive self-talk. Remind yourself of your strengths and competencies as a writer.
Celebrate the progress you've made, no matter how small it might seem. Make sure to be gentle with yourself and recognize that self-esteem is an ongoing process.
Embrace your self-worth by exploring journaling prompts such as:
- What have I accomplished today that I'm proud of?
- How do I stay in touch with my self-confidence when I experience writer's block?
- What is one positive thing I can say about myself as a creative writer?
- What small action can I take to build self-esteem and self-belief this week?
-What are some of my good qualities I really admire about myself?
Writing self-esteem building journal prompts is a good way to support and nurture your self-confidence as a writer and build healthy self-esteem.
Taking the time to reflect on how self-esteem affects your writing can help you reach your full potential as a creative writer. Celebrate progress, practice self-love, and make sure you're always giving yourself the recognition of your hard work.
Consider what success means to you and how self-esteem plays a role in it. Think about the things that motivate you and challenge you as a writer, and how self-esteem can help encourage you to keep going even when it gets tough.
Work through these prompts:
- What accomplishments am I most proud of in my writing journey?
- What can I do to boost my self-esteem while facing a writing challenge?
- How do I stay confident even when self-doubts creep in?
- What words or phrases do I use to remind myself of my self-worth as a writer?
-Why do I love writing? What does it mean to me?
-When have I felt best about myself? What was happening then? What's different about then vs. now? What is the same?
Writing to self-esteem boosting journal prompts can help you stay motivated, focused and self-assured as a creative writer.
By reflecting on how self-esteem affects your writing journey and bolstering the positive way think about yourself and your writing, you will be better equipped to face any challenges in the future.
It helps to have "proof" and you can keep a folder on your desk or desktop of your work you're most proud of. Or, make a list of accomplishments to look at when you feel you aren't progressing.
It seems simple and maybe silly, but we spend so much time looking forward that we forget to glance back. For example, I spent two years working on a graduate degree.
I have my Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, and most of the time my brain focuses on how I'm "not published yet."
I did something really hard, I went back to school in my mid-twenties, uprooted my life, and took a leap of faith that it would be a good thing for me. It was, and yet I sometimes forget I ever did it.
When I moved back to LA this past year I hung up my MFA degree. Now I look at it and remind myself of all that I've worked for, have accomplished, and can accomplish in the future.
Why not take some time to celebrate your successes, practice self-love and appreciate yourself for all that you are - a talented and self-confident creative writer!
Consider the self-talk that you use while writing and how it affects your self-esteem. And the things you celebrate can be big or small. Maybe you wrote every weekend for a month. Or finished a short story. Or came up with an idea you're really excited about. It all counts, and it all matters.
Ponder questions about positive affirmations such as:
- What positive affirmations can I say to myself when self-doubt creeps in? Make a list of 5-10. Write at least three down every day until you can say them in your sleep.
- How have I grown as a creative writer?
- In what ways do I want to encourage self-confidence in my writing?
- What words or phrases can I use to remind myself of my self-worth as a writer?
-Where did I want to be five years ago? Two years ago? What have I accomplished in that time?
-Who believes in me and my abilities when I don't? What does their support mean to me?
-I am the right person to write this story. Here is why:
Writing self-esteem building affirmations is a great way to stay connected to your self-confidence. Your self worth and the way you think about yourself is 1,000 times more important than what anyone else might ever say about your writing (good OR bad!).
Try thinking about effective ways to ground yourself in the present moment when you're feeling blank-page-panic or maybe saying some harsh things to yourself about your writing pace, practice, or production.
You can go for a walk, reread a piece of work you're proud of, or meditate for 10 minutes to calm your brain.
Journaling is a great way to start the journey towards self-love and self-acceptance in your daily life. It can help you gain clarity on your goals, build self-confidence, and establish healthier self-talk patterns.
Take some time each day to write down your self-esteem goals and progress. This can help you stay consistent and create lasting self-esteem habits as a creative writer.
Let your self-esteem journal writing prompts turn into many a love letter to yourself and your writing. Who knows, you may turn these into self-love journal prompts and find more personal development and higher self-esteem than you planned!
Let the last time you spoke harshly to yourself be the last time. You deserve kindness from everyone, but most of all from yourself.
Good luck with your writing journey!
