30 Spring Journal Prompts

If winter is for planning and resting, spring is for beginnings and growth! And journaling is a lovely way to get in the spring mood. So pull up a chair…er, picnic blanket…and dig into these spring journal prompts.

Why Keep a Journal?

Journaling is surprisingly beneficial! Writing down your thoughts and experiences can help you process emotions, track personal growth, and even spark creativity. As you describe your favorite spring memories, try to write with as much detail as possible to make the memory come alive.

Writing Practice

First, in case this needs to be said, writing more improves your writing skills. Like anything, practice matters when it comes to writing.

That means journaling can help improve the writing you do in other areas of your life! For example, journaling can be a great way to write a story about your spring experiences.

Reflect on Your Goals

Depending on what you journal about, it can be an opportunity to focus on your goals and progress. Write about why you want to achieve the goals you’ve set and brainstorm ways to achieve them.

And don’t forget to track your progress in your journal!

Similarly, you can use your journaling time to think through an aspect of or situation in your life—even simply yourself—to sort out how you feel about it and how you want to address it.

Consider journaling about your plans and goals for the upcoming school year, work season, or stage of life.

Improve Your Health

Studies are showing that journaling may also reduce stress, improve your immune system response, and even boost your memory. Here’s an article from Intermountain Healthcare about it.

Journaling can also help process feelings as the days get longer and spring flowers come out.

So with those benefits in mind, let’s get started!

30 WRiting Prompts for Spring

We’ve divided the following writing prompts into March, April, and May to help you organize your spring journal. But please feel free to pick and choose!

March Journal Prompts

1. In what areas of your life are you planting seeds? What do you hope they will grow into?

2. What habits have you developed over the winter (or over an even longer time) that you would like to shake off in the spring? Write about how you will do it.

3. Set a goal to accomplish this spring. Write about why you want it and how you will do it.

4. Describe the first time you saw something that still impresses you.

5. How does starting a project make you feel? Describe your typical starting process.

6. Who did you imitate when you were a child? Write about them.

7. Write yourself an affirmation for this spring. Journal about why you chose it and hang the affirmation somewhere you will see it during this season.

8. What have you been avoiding or putting off beginning? Why?

9. Write about something you would like a second chance at.

10. In what aspect of your life are you a nurturer?

April Journal Prompts

11. Write about how you and your best friend became friends.

12. What are you looking forward to starting? Why?

13. What did you want to be when you grew up? How did it change over the years? And even though you may technically be a grown-up, what is it now?

14. Because the days are getting longer, write about something you wish you could have more light on.

15. What dreams did you have over the winter that you would like to see come to pass?

16. Write about the theme of rebirth in your life.

17. What is your favorite aspect or activity of spring? What do you look forward to during the winter?

18. In what aspect of your life are you an artist?

19. Write about a coming-of-age moment you remember experiencing.

20. Tell a story from the beginning of your career that helped you decide to stick with it.

May Journal Prompts

21. What is the most effective way for you personally (no looking up studies!) to develop a habit or practice?

22. What are the signs of spring where you are?

23. As winter transitions into summer, write about how the theme of transition shows up in your life this spring.

24. In what aspect of your life are you a builder?

25. Remember this rhyme from childhood? “April showers bring May flowers.” Think about it metaphorically: What are the spring rainshowers in your life right now, and what do you hope they will bring?

26. If you could give your middle-school self one specific piece of advice, what would be it?

27. What are your spring cleaning goals? What is your plan for accomplishing them?

28. Describe a specific memory of something that took place in the spring.

29. Pick some element of your life and look at it as if you were a beginner. Really think it through and see what you notice.

30. Remember back to last spring or the spring the year before. How did the seeds you planted in the spring (metaphorically or even literally if you’re a gardener!) grow? What were their fruits?

How to Start Your Spring Journal

Spring is when we set goals and intentions, so it is a great time for journaling. Here’s how to get started!

Choosing Your Journaling Materials

Fortunately, you don’t need much. You need something to write with and something to write on, and at journaling’s most basic, that’s it.

Choose a journal that you like, because if it makes you happy, it will be easier to pick it up. Consider selecting a journal that reflects growth or the spring season to inspire your writing.

Physical Journals

If at all possible, try to hold your journal in person before you buy it. Get a sense of whether you will reach for it and enjoy using it.

Journal Binding

Determine if the journal will lay flat. That is, can you open it to start writing and have it stay open? This will go a long way toward a more pleasant experience for you.

Is the journal’s binding sturdy? It might be difficult to tell when the journal is new, but check reviews or try to get a sense of whether the cover is going to get detached from the block of pages as you write.

Careful with spiral bindings, too. They lay flat really well, but sometimes they’re too loose and pages start to fall out. Look for a sturdy one.

Journal Size

Think about whether your journal’s size suits you. If you’re going to leave it on your desk and write there, maybe you want a bigger trim size. If you’re going to take it to the coffee shop or the art museum, does it fit in your purse?

Journal Paper

Consider the paper texture. If it’s too glossy, that limits your pen options. A standard ballpoint will probably work, but if you want to use pencil or other type of pen, it might not make a mark or it might smear easily.

Journal Extras

This isn’t necessary, but a ribbon marker is a nice touch on a journal.

If this is going to be a portable journal, an elastic closure keeps it from splaying open inside your bag. Other clasps can be bulkier, so make sure the journal still lays open comfortably if you look at those.

Digital Journals

What digital journals lack in book-nerd cache, they make up for in portability and convenience.

They’re especially handy if you’re journaling about ideas you might want to use later—don’t underestimate a good search feature.

You also have plenty of free and very inexpensive options, from Google docs to specialized apps like Penzu.

Tips for Establishing a Journaling Habit

Establishing a habit can take time, and that amount of time varies. So while you are starting out, it’s worth it to focus on intentionally creating space and time for your new practice and exploring some journaling ideas that you might like to incorporate.

Make a Journaling Spot

Think about what will invite you in. Create an irresistibly comfortable place to write. Stock it with your favorite pens and journal. Will you drink tea (or coffee or water) while you write? What else will help you journal or write a short story about your spring experiences?

While you’re at it, remove any obstacles that will keep you from journaling.

Set an alarm

Pick a time of day to write and set up a recurring calendar appointment to remind you.

Intentionally make space to write at that exact time for the next few weeks, until you’re comfortable enough with the habit to vary it.

Set a timer

If it feels overwhelming to sit down and write for an indeterminate amount of time, try setting a timer for 10 minutes and telling yourself to write that long.

Too long? Try 5 minutes.

Still too long? Try writing one line a day.

Try a habit tracker

Add journaling to your favorite habit tracker, be it standalone or in your planner. There’s nothing as satisfying as filling in another habit tracker box!

(We have a few downloadable habit trackers if you need one!)

Make Journaling Your New Favorite Spring Memory

Please feel free to try and discard—or try and keep—any of these journaling ideas. Personalize your practice and create something that works for you long term. Happy journaling! (Before moving on, take a moment to reflect on your actual favorite spring memory. Perhaps it will inspire some writing!)

What’s Next?

Summer journal prompts of course!

Are you finished with these spring journal prompts but want to keep going? Look no further—we’ve got plenty of journal prompts for adults.