creative writing topics morning

20 Morning Writing Prompts to Jumpstart Your Day

by Joe Bunting and Sue Weems | 130 comments

Julia Cameron's classic book The Artist's Way challenges writers to tackle morning pages each day as a way to clear the mind and set the day's intention. Today we have a few morning writing prompts to kickstart your morning journal time or writing any time of day. 

Ask people how they feel about mornings, and you're likely to get one of two responses. On one hand, you have the morning routine enthusiasts who get up early to begin their daily routines, say their positive affirmations, pump some iron or get a workout in, and anything else that contributes to their personal goals. 

For others, mornings come too early and just getting out of bed to make the coffee feels like a massive feat. 

No matter your personal experience with mornings though, my guess is that mornings themselves can be a source of inspiration. There are a number of ways to approach writing prompts for the morning. See if one of these prompts unleashes some creative potential for you!

Morning Journaling Prompts

If you're trying to start a daily habit of writing, you can use morning journal prompts as a part of your morning routine to help you tackle negative emotions, monitor stress levels, cultivate a sense of mindfulness, or just quiet the mental chatter.

1. Describe a small, daily ritual you can incorporate into your morning routine to promote a sense of calm and mindfulness.

2. Write about a recent experience where you successfully turned a negative thought into a positive one. How did you do it, and how did it make you feel?

3. Imagine starting your day with a clean slate, free from stress and worry. Write a brief journal entry about how you would design your ideal morning routine to achieve this state.

4. Write a short letter to your future self, reminding them of the importance of self-compassion and the practice of letting go of negative emotions.

5. Describe how quiet or calm feels in your body.

Life Goals Prompts

Mornings often feel like a fresh start, a way to begin anew your own personal growth. Use one of these prompts to explore your larger goals or explore a dream.

6. Describe a specific life goal you've set for yourself. What steps have you taken so far to work towards achieving it, and what motivates you to pursue this goal?

7. What is one way you've made a positive impact in your world, and how can you continue to cultivate positive change around you?

8. Imagine yourself ten years from now, living your dream life. Write a detailed journal entry about what your life looks like, the accomplishments you've achieved, and the personal growth you've experienced along the way.

9. Write a to-do list that outlines specific tasks to contribute to reaching your life dream. Nothing's too big or small to include. 

10. Write about one person who has played a pivotal role in shaping your aspirations and values.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

Research shows that gratitude has a huge impact on our overall wellness and sense of wellbeing. Incorporate a few gratitude prompts in your morning journal practice on a daily basis and see how you feel. 

11. Think about the natural world around you. Write about one aspect of nature that fills you with wonder or awe. 

12. List three people you're intensely grateful for and explain why.

13. Write about a simple pleasure you often take for granted—that first cup of coffee, the chatter of birds out back, a devoted dog curled up beside you.

14. Write a letter of gratitude to a previous year you experienced, whether in childhood or recent years. 

15. Write about a difficult time that ultimately you're grateful to have experienced. 

Creative Writing Prompts for Morning

16. Write about a morning gone wrong in a character's life (or your own). 

17. What inspires you about the morning?

18. Write about a memorable morning.

19. Choose a season and imagine a perfect morning in that season. Describe it. 

20. Describe in detail a sensory experience of a morning, either at home or during a travel experience. 

A journaling practice, especially first thing in the day can start your day right. Morning is the perfect time to take some quiet time for your writing, and I hope one of these prompts inspires you and gets your creative juices flowing. 

When is your favorite time to write? Share with us in the comments . 

Choose one of the prompts above or just take fifteen minutes to write about the morning.

Write for fifteen minutes . When you're finished, post your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop here , and leave feedback for a few other writers. 

Here's Joe's practice from 2012

The cell phone vibrates me awake. I reach for it, hold the bright screen to my squinting face, and set it for thirty minutes later. I hate mornings.

I-don't-know-how-many minutes later, I open my eyes to see the grey out my window. The field is murky with it, brown grass sticking up out of a swamp of fog. The trees are not trees but only pine. The oak and poplars have withered down to stalks, leaving the shaggy pine looking like remnants of a holocaust. The only ones clothed in a sea of naked and shaved. But in this fog, the trees never end, they float upwards, for all we know, limitless as bean stalks. My eyes shut.

The cell phone again. I turn it off. Talia makes a sound. I should get up. I should want to get up. My eyes close.

She slides up next to me. Her chin tucks into my shoulder. She gets up.

I actually like cloudy days. They are warmth, hot coffee. They are staring into grey, feeling soothed by it, letting it cover you like a blanket of introspection. Your whole world is what is right in front of you because everything else is consumed by fog. A veil over the world.

My eyes open again and I know they must stay open. I have slept far too long. I don't want to get up. Oh, I don't want to. I get up.

I look at the time, an hour of my day lost. A flock of crows fly black over the trees.

Talia smiles, says, “How did you sleep?”

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

130 Comments

Frigid night. Frigid morning.

I burrow into the comforter and hide my head. Indiana’s cold nose pokes through my shields to remind me it’s breakfast time. Beagles’ stomachs are more accurate than any alarm clock. I ignore him as long as he’ll allow, until he convinces Barkley the English Springer to join in the game of roust Mom from bed. Patient Chi waits at the door. The eldest of our three dogs knows she’ll get fed, eventually. I surrender.

The pack follows me from the bed to the bathroom to the utility room where the food bin is stashed out of their reach. We learned that lesson the hard way. Chi sits in the entry, drooling politely, as I fill the bowls. Three scoops for her as the largest, two for Barkley who wriggles and whimpers in anticipation, and a bit less for Indy, the smallest. He bounces up and down, from the dryer to the trash can – also locked away from their eager noses – and tries so hard to obey my futile “Sit” command. But he fights a losing battle. His eagerness keeps him in constant motion.

Full bowls stacked in hand, I park the trio at one end of the great room, repeating “Stay” in another futile effort to keep them at bay while I place the food by the water bowls. Chi still drools, Barkley waggles, and Indy flops into his odd half-sit half-lay position, never quite motionless. “You can eat,” is all it takes to release the hounds.

They race to the bowls, sliding in like a base runner stealing home, and in less time than it takes me to fill the tea kettle and place it on the stove, they’ve finished eating and are sniffing to be let out. We try the sit-stay combo again at the back door with varying degrees of success before they explode into the backyard to see what new odors await their morning inspection.

I have enough time for my morning yoga stretches before they’re barking and scratching to be let back in, especially in this morning’s nine degree temperature. Even hunting dogs prefer the warmth of my bedroom office on a day like this.

Only now they have the bed, and I’m at my desk, writing.

I swear Indiana is grinning.

I love the line about Indiana’s cold nose poking through your shield. Beautiful!

What a pack. I used to have dogs and they do like to get one up. Now I have cats, they like me to stay asleep.

I absolutely love Chi sitting there, drooling politely. It’s perfect.

My eyes snapped open, burning with fear. I grasp for air and, for an instant, I had forgotten entirely where I was. That ended quickly. The sound of ammunition weeping all around me was the thing that thrust me back into my instant.

Had I slept in the midst of such chaos, I thought.

Just hours earlier, I had made my bed in a shallow pit at the base of a large tree just outside of camp. I chose this spot because several large branches had fallen over and provided an amount of cover that I deemed sufficient. I packed my rifle close to my right side, placed my pack in a deeper spot near my feet, and pulled my helmet just slightly over my eyes. I mumbled a soft goodnight to my mother back in the states and closed my eyes.

Now, I find myself in, yet again, a position I had never hoped when I signed up for this war. I’m alone, cold, afraid, and knowing that at any moment my life could end.

I pull the branches slowly from my body and prepare for the worst. But, before I emerge, I take a moment and appreciate the luster of the morning. I look around and find myself smiling at the beautiful storm.

“Good morning, mom,” I whisper.

Oh, wow. Is this something that happened to you?

No, this isn’t something that happened to me. I just thought about the morning, not mine in particular, and this is what came about. I woke up in a warm bed, with my children safely sleeping in their rooms down the hall. There is too much comfort in my morning and not enough pain. That’s why I chose this concept instead.

“the luster of the morning” I like that idea that it rhymes with muster giving it kind of a military twang.

Thanks, I agree. The soft glow of the morning.

So strange – I JUST wrote about my morning routine on my blog on Wednesday, for entirely different reasons! Hope you’ll take a gander, Joe & Write Practice friends. 🙂

http://shewritesandrights.blogspot.com/2012/01/morning-new-routine.html

Love the progression of this piece. What an incredibly hard change you have to make – and you’re doing great.

“I pour a mug for myself, mom’s mug.” – Beautiful.

Hi Bethany, I peeked at your post and it was delightful in a hopeful, somber sort of way. I am so sorry about your mom. I hope your blog brings you comfort — writing soothes loss in the strangest way. I will plan to stop by and read more in the upcoming days. Thanks for letting us know about it here! With care, kati

A semitruck bounces down the highway not a hundred feet from my head. I can hear scuffling in the kitchen. If I opened my eyes, I’d see my roommate getting ready for her day, cat gnawing at her feet. But I don’t open my eyes. My day has yet to start.

I return to dreamland, grateful for this time. The old lightswitch flips, the door squeaks, and keys turn the deadbolt. She’s off for the day, meaning I am Hank’s new victim.

Morning means a kitten ready for a playmate. Morning means the smell of coffee and buttered toast. Morning means new mercies.

Morning means I must tear myself from these warm sheets and turn myself into something that slightly resembles a person. Maybe.

I’m not a fan of mornings. The routine never seems to be completed before the clock sreams, “Time to go!”

Getting out of bed is one of the worst times to live in an ancient house with poor circulation and drafty windows. I throw a polar fleece blanket over my shoulders like a cape as I search for the slippers that Hank borrowed during the night. He chases my toes as they search in vain for their jackets. The living room end table is fifteen steps from my bed yet still my feet feel like blocks of ice sliding across the sloped wooden floor. Kitty slobber doesn’t help.

Luckily this morning’s activities involve a good book and cuddle time on the couch next to the heater. It’s times like this that make mornings bearable.

I don’t dare look at the clock. I dove too deeply into Romans and now I must pay the consequences. Every other morning activity is only allowed half of its required time.

From his perch on the back of the toilet, Hank watches my fingers as I move around the bathroom. He tries to help. “Amuse” may be a more accurate term. He loves mornings for it is in the morning when his playmates, his subjects, awaken and do what they do best: be chew toys.

In a hasty panic I throw everything I think I need into a bag and head out the creaky front door, into the morning mist, and to the car that needs de-icing before it too may bounce down the highway like semitruck that served as my alarm clock all of those minutes ago.

Interesting how much our furry companions are a part of life –

Focus. It’s 6:50. What needs to happen right now?

Dishes need to be done, and a lunch made for Andy.

My mornings are about tasks. The tasks used to own me. But now I’m the boss, and I own them.

I run this place. But it used to run me. It used to feel like a prison cell made of dirty diapers and forlorn expectations. My to-do list was the fire-breathing dragon that never slept.

But one morning, as he turned to scratch an itchy scale, I shanked him down to size. I said, “This is the express lane, Smoky, and it’s 10 items or less!”

Now I own this place. I manage my time. I set limits and priorities. I own myself.

Love it! As a mamma, I can relate!

Thanks, Steph! It was a kind of triumphal piece. 🙂

Alright, boss, we submit! This is great. “I’m the boss. I own them. I run this place, Smoky.” Super fun! You went from a prisoner to the prison boss, the guy with tats up and down his built arms, gettin his people to ship in drugs and conning the guards. You’re kind of scary, actually. 🙂

HaHa! well…minus the drug running! I’ve transitioned my mindset over the past few months about being a full-time mom at home. I had to take ownership for the choices I made in becoming a mom, and begin to look at it as a vocation. As I started to view myself more as a professional, it was easier to manage my time/tasks/resources like I used to in a traditional job. Huge difference in quality of life!

Nice. I like that.

Wow, that was clean and powerful! As a mom I was right there with you, I felt the ire rise in my own chest!

Go get your dragon, Beck! 😉

Yes, Jen! Dishes can wait. (Diapers, not really, alas).

“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow…”

I have that monologue in my head everyday…the floors aren’t THAT bad. They’ll wait until tomorrow! 🙂

I love this Jen – freedom from the to do list – own your own day, own your own life. Very empowering. Have a great day.

Thanks, Nics! It’s what I try to do, some days more successfully than others. Glad to know that I successfully communicated the freedom – thanks for the feedback!

Sharp and snappy…good job!

Thanks! I had a little bit of “rawr” going on when I wrote it.

Loved this. Tasks aren’t going anywhere but attitude makes the difference. Going off to slay the laundry pile…

It makes all the difference. I’ve found that the attitude of ownership has made a huge change in how my day goes. It’s the difference between the laundry pile “happening” to me, and me taking out the laundry pile. You can call your dragon “Smelly.” 🙂

Wow! I love the energy as you take control. Powerful!

I’m sad to say that my energy waned by the end of the day, but today is always a new day! Thanks for the great feedback!

Love this. It’s a short passage with a long message. Good metaphor.

Thanks, Nancy! That’s exactly what I was going for – so thanks for the feedback!

I’m a stay at home mom by choice as well. I love how you describe your to-do list. I feel like I have one of those breathing down my neck as well. Our work is never done. I should be cleaning my floors rather than sitting here reading but the floors will have to wait. It’s actually quiet in my house right now. Kind of eerie 🙂

Joe- “My eyes open again and I know they must stay open.” So true. I love how your morning starts with a question about how you slept when really you want to still be sleeping. Katie

Thanks, Katie!

I’ve never been a morning person. I’ve often wished I was. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence, I suppose.

I grumble awake. My first thought most days, indeed this day, is, “I wish I could sleep longer.” The comfort and safety of my bed scream loudest in the mornings. Like Joe, the sharpness of my cell phone-turned-alarm clock pierces my pupils and I cannot read the screen clearly. There’s no need. My hand finds the snooze button instinctively, as if it needed no help from my brain. I’m not sure what good my brain is that early anyway. As I drag myself out of bed, because that’s what it takes these days, I head half-heartedly towards the day’s work.

There must be more.

It is lunch time and I still can’t see clearly. Why hasn’t the morning fog lifted? Why haven’t my eyes cleared themselves and been able to focus on the world yet? Why is my mind still groggy, as if I were only 5 minutes into my 9-minute-snooze; as if I have never fully wakened?

Someone I know once insinuated that a day doing something you hate can feel like years; and years of doing what you love can feel like a day. I have spent years doing that which I do not love. I am a night person who’s been relentlessly beaten by the morning day after merciless day.

But I have good news. My eyes are beginning to see clearly. Things are coming into focus. My mind is coming awake and the early morning fog is starting to lift. The beatings will end soon. It’s time to start my day.

(nods to Joe as the “someone I know”)

“5 minutes into my 9 minute snooze” – I like that!

Thanks Stephan!

Love it, Kevin. And I like this effort at narrative. I think you do it quite nicely. You’re in the moment, giving us good description and action, with a little spice of internal monologue. It’s great.

At the end you almost lose it though. I would have changed this, “But I have good news. My eyes are beginning to see clearly.” To something like this, “Later, though, my eyes begin to see clearly.” But overall this is a very strong practice, bud.

I also love the insinuation about my insinuating 🙂

Thanks Joe. What I tried to do there was describe a typical morning and then I shifted gears with your quote describing the fact that I feel as though I am living my life right now in the groggy, foggy, not quite awake feeling of the morning and at the end was hoping to make the point that the future is coming into focus and I’m about to truly wake up and stop the groundhog’s day of a morning my life seems to be and really start my day (which in your quote would equate to the rest of my life).

But I tried to do it without actually saying that is what I was doing, haha. I’m not sure if I was successful with that or not. Thanks for your critique. Meaningful as always.

Yeah, that makes sense. Also, it’s difficult to cover all of that in one paragraph, and usually when we’re trying to save space we summarize. It’s understandable. I think what you’re trying to do is fascinating and you definitely came close. Thanks bud!

Joe, in my brief time of knowing your blog, I’ve noticed you have an uncanny ability of writing timely posts, both for myself and others! When I checked your blog this morning, I had just finished working on a(nother!) rewrite of a “morning” scene in my WIP. Your post (in which I very much liked your “beanstalk” analogy!) made me think more about how to incorporate time into my text. I had a few minutes just now to spruce it up a little more in that regard. Here it is:

From his spot on the rear bench of his boat, Rex heard the church bells from town start up again. One , two, three chimes. He was anchored at the dock in front of the northern border town of Jack Pine, Minnesota, and had been for quite some time now. Eight, nine, ten. The morning train was officially an hour late. He rummaged beneath his seat, finally finding his metal thermal bottle lodged in the tip of the stern. He popped off the cover that did double-duty as a mug, pulled out the cork, and took a whiff. Strong stuff. If nothing else, he thought, let it be said of Phyllis that she knows how to brew a real pot of coffee: boiled black and thickened with an egg. Jet fuel, he called it, even though he had never flown in a plane. He poured the remainder of the sludge into the mug and, over its rim, stared down the town in front of him. Where could he go to kill time until the train finally came in? He had a bucket of silver shiners he could go sell to the bait shop on the shore. In fact, he used to be one of their top suppliers when he had lived in Jack Pine with Myrt. But the owner was also a man of God who wouldn’t do business with the divorced, unless they were the ones paying him. Not that Rex was properly divorced. Worse, in the eyes of the town folk -and quite possibly in those of the Almighty – he had wrenched a child from his mother’s arms and skipped town, leaving the helpless woman to fend for herself. Granted, he hadn’t strung their dirty laundry up to air along Main Street, but he had most certainly left a pile of it in his wake. At best, he could expect a proper Biblical stoning the minute he stepped into town. Christ, I’m was as crazy as old Mags, he thought. With a shaking hand, he rummaged in the storage compartment alongside his bench until he located the jar of mother’s milk he kept onboard for emergencies such as this. He sloshed it into his coffee, bringing it to level, and slammed it down. He closed his eyes, stretched back, and let the morning sun above wash over him and the waves below rock him until the drink found its way to his nerves. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Jack Pine, Minnesota, as just another port of entry, a necessary business stop, and until that morning train showed up for him to meet, he was going to the café to find himself a little lunch.

Perfect! I love serendipity (the concept, not the movie).

Ew: “thickened with an egg.” Do people really do that?

This character seems interesting so far, and you’ve got a great voice developed here. Lots of backstory, though. Like this, “Not that Rex was properly divorced.” I would try to put this “on screen” if you can. That’s an important bit of story that you don’t want to give away cheaply. And rather than having him thinking through why it’s going to be a pain going to this town, I would just show him having a pain going through the town. Does that make sense?

I really like this character though. Is he your protagonist?

Sadly, I can personally attest to this particular coffee recipe! (blech!!)

Thanks so much for your comments, Joe. This is the intro to my 4th chapter, which has been giving me FITS. As I commented before, backstory is starting to creep in and I’m not sure how to cope with it! You hit the nail on the head – I need to put it onscreen, which should work very well in this case. I’m just not sure how to transition from the previous chapter (change of place and a new day). Maybe I need to set the stage for that change at the end of the previous chapter better?

Sorry – I’m thinking “aloud” here. Thanks for your advice and time. I’m glad you like Rex. Yes, he’s the protagonist. Pesky SOB, won’t let me alone. Hence this crazy mess of a novel I’ve undertaken!

My life, in relationship to the morning, has shown signs of schizophrenic tendencies. My parents said I was a morning person at an early age. Up at the crack of dawn, I was eager to start my day with a bowl of corn flakes and a side of Romper Room on the TV.

But adolescence changed all that. During my high school and college years, there were summers I never even saw morning, unless we are talking about the front end of it. In my teen years I would greet the morning like a drunk anticipating a hangover. Daylight would have to work overtime peeling back my thickened eyelids. Finally, after most of the world had taken their lunch break, I was making my way to the bathroom for a shower.

Today, after parenthood and career have had their way with my aging earth suit, I have become rather chummy with a variety of aches and pains, and I must say, they are definitely night owls. They do their best work while I attempt a good night’s sleep.

This is pitiful to admit, but I think I burn more calories in my sleep than I do during the day. I am constantly tossing and turning and getting up multiple times to go to the bathroom. I recently came up with an idea for a new workout video, “Snooze till You Lose: Workout in Your Sleep.” I could make millions!

Now, my mornings are more like an act of surrender. I pull off my white pillowcase and wave it in the air. “I give up!” I shout to my nocturnal dynamic duo. Aches and Pains have won again. I rise like an aging wrestler getting up after the final bout of his career. My wife of 31 years sleeps soundly on her side of the bed. The alarm clock glows a dark green 5:00.

I shuffle stiffly toward the bathroom. Leaving the light off, I blindly take aim. Hello dear friend. Thanks for being there for me in the middle of the night. Thanks for putting up with my, well, you know. I flush in the dark.

I change into my workout clothes but plan to avoid the treadmill. I head downstairs to the kitchen for bran flakes and liquid energy. The dog is as perturbed as I am when I flip on the light. I settle into my easy chair and grab my Bible. Now my day begins. Now I am ready for the Light.

Great forth paragraph Tom, especially surrendering to the aches and pains. Now that I’m retired sometimes I just don’t get up.

“…my aging earth suit.” I dig that line. It’s something that each one of us can relate to in our own way. Well done.

I like the line, “I rise like an aging wrestler getting up after the final bout of his career.” It’s very descriptive and I can almost hear the bones cracking as he rises from his bed.

The “earth suit” is great.

I love your colorful description and humor. I think I chuckled most at “I pull off my white pillowcase and wave it in the air.” I could just see myself doing that! And the end, “ready for the Light.” I wouldn’t have a good reason to get up without him!

I really liked this line as well, I thought it was a good metaphor.

I love how you associate the light with being reading for the light of day – beautiful analogy. Thank you for your post I enjoyed reading it.

Love the term earth suit….and certainly can relate to nightly rousing, aches, and pains….caught my night life well.

Your hilarity strikes again! If you’d like to turn this into a more finished piece, say for your new newspaper job (which I’m still so excited about, for you), this should be your first paragraph, “This is pitiful to admit, but I think I burn more calories in my sleep than I do during the day.” That’s where you hooked me. I love the self-mocking tone, and mixed with the naive excitement. Everything after is great, too. Well done, my good sir.

Absolutely fabulous! I can’t even pick a favourite line! I really enjoyed this, and laughed at your visit with your old friend… really great piece!

I had the same thoughts as I was writing but I was afraid to admit them. Thanks for speaking for me.

A wonderfully honest telling of the hardship of the mundane. My mornings (and nights) are similar to yours, Tom. Thanks for not sugar-coating anything. I love how even after the worst of nights, the morning can still seem bright. Loved your redemptive outlook in this, while still acknowledging the struggle. (Btw, I kind chuckled at the bathroom scene. Guess I’m just a guy.)

I love to read things that make me laugh. I laughed a lot reading this. Hard to settle on one part as I liked the entire piece. The description, “aging earth suit” made me smile. Enjoyed this!

Joe that is exquisite. I can see it and I can feel the pocket of safety, warmth, life that is yours within the fog. It’s beautiful.

Thank you, Marianne 🙂

That’s supposed to say Steph (dang auto-correct!)

I liked the other as well – I think it would make a good character name! 🙂

The stars seem to fall or more like vanish to the coming day’s song. I hear the lock turn. Click. My front door opens and I walk out ready for the day. So I thought. My eye raise up to see a dreary but somehow calming morning.

The sky is a shade of black I had never seen before. A black that does not consume, but rather shine like a dawning day. I stare for a moment which in reality is nearly a full minute before shaking the spell it laid on me.

I walk briskly down the stone stairs. The ground feel cool even to the touch of my hard soled boots. The chill in the air covers me with the yearning to return to my warm bed that I had left not half an hour ago.

It’s humbling knowing I’m one of the few things that dare stir this long before the shining of day. Though most see the light as a sign of morning. The shining night that prepares it’s slumber is my vision of a true morning.

Happy Beginnings, New Day.

This is very beautiful. I should try to give writerly or readerish reasons why, but I won’t. Just lets say, it resonates in the way Silent Night does.

I know that shade of black. It’s almost impossible to describe and you’ve done the best description here that I think I’ve ever read. I tried it in mine but I kept to the sense of vision and couldn’t get it right. Bravo!!!

Ugh, my heart sinks to the tone of the annoying beep. I know it immediately, I’m going to pay. No longer a bounding youth, with bundles of energy and stamina, my body tells on me.

All nighters, or at least very late nighters, should be relegated to the twenty something years. Yet, there are nights when I struggle to relinquish the delicious silence, my solitude undisturbed by little ones lying quietly under the spell of sleep.

The growing sliver of light, slicing into the grayness of the room, announces my toddler. Silent as an Indian stalking game, she creeps up to the big bed. “Mommy?” a tiny voice questions. I giggle at being discovered, a simple game played without rules and ending predictably every morning.

Little hands reach out and I pull her up beside me. Tucked in close, her sweet breath caresses my face. We doze a moment together, tangled in the fuzzy cords of sleep. Sharply the alarm insists that the day be faced. In a toss of ringlets and kicking of covers, Maggie hops from the bed, answering the command. And so it begins.

I know this scene very well! Very well versed!

The morning light through my window is still gray. The baby is crying. He wants his wet diaper changed. I take it off and he curls back into a ball and falls asleep, naked. I hate to disturb him further, but I put a dry diaper on him, because I don’t want to have to change my sheets today. I lay down next to him. He nurses and I fall back to sleep.

An hour later I hear the recycle truck making its rounds. The wind had been fierce all night, and I have yet to take the trash out. I get up without waking the baby and pull an abaya over my pjs, and hurry the trash to the curb.

Since everyone is still asleep, so I take my kindle to bed to read the day’s news. I check today’s prompt, and wonder if I really want to write about morning. And when I do, it is 3:46 pm.

This was OK, but I didn’t really get the lat paragraph. The sentence, “Since everyone is still asleep, so I take my kindle to bed to read the day’s news”, was a bit awkward – you have to drop either “since” or “so” and then it would flow better.

The last line – I’m not sure I understood what it was you were trying to point out. Is it that you spent so long wondering about whether to write about the morning that by the time you did it was late afternoon? Or is the point that everyone else was still asleep at that time?

I think it means that she was trying to decide whether or not she’ll be doing the writing practice (which was to write about “mornings”). Though, by the time she was able to decide it was no longer morning.

The “so” was a mistake.

Fair enough, I take back what I said then 🙂

I loved your last line. I can relate. Maybe you had a long night with the baby. Morning came too soon and you weren’t really ready to think about it until 3:46 pm. Maybe between all the baby and kid stuff you didn’t get a chance to write about your morningn until then. And I’ve certainly had days when “morning” seems to last that long – you’ve just gotten back to that piece of bread you put in the toaster four hours ago, you’re finally grabbing a shower, making beds, etc. Not because you’re lazy, but because mothering children is a lot of constant work!

3:46 pm. I get it.

You say a lot about your day without saying a word here. I’m retired now but I remember those non-stop flight from dawn till dusk. I hope you take notes as much as you can. I wrote a horrible, really horrible, book when my daughter was about five and when I read it now I remember so much about her. It is the descriptions of the children in the book that I know I took from her, that bring her little girl self back to me. It’s better than looking at photos.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve never been a morning person. I never understood people who could bound out of bed, put on a pot of coffee and be instantly ready to face the day. For me, the lure of a cozy bed far outweighs that of a hot shower. I’m the guy who sets his alarm for 6.30, planning to get up, go for a run, and still have time to shower and make a fruit smoothie before arriving at work early to impress the boss.

But like all the best laid plans, this one never comes to fruition. Inevitably the snooze button is just a groggy swipe of the hand away, giving me relief from facing the reality of the day in 5 minute bursts.

When I was younger, I occasionally managed to push through these mental barriers. In high school I went through period of a couple of months where my morning routine was exactly as I described: up early, run, fruit smoothie. Even though it was mid-winter, pitch black and freezing cold, there’s something exhilarating about running that early in the morning. It gives you a feeling of superiority, pounding the pavement past houses full of lazy sleepers who can’t even be bothered to get up and experience what you do. “Lazy bastards”, I would think. “I can’t believe I used to be like that.” My iPod would provide the soundtrack to my life. Morning Glory by Oasis was my powersong.

Need a little time to wake up, wake up/ Well, what’s the story morning glory/ So well, but we need a little time to wake up wake up

But the best part about running at an ungodly hour on a cold dark December morning wasn’t feeling superior to those not doing the same – it’s the unspoken bond you have with other morning runners. The upwards nod, or raise of the eyebrows, as you run past each other, or even a quick “Morning” in between breaths, there’s an understanding that you’re all part of the same group: athletes committed to a cause, no matter how early you have to go to bed the night before.

Now, lying in bed with the alarm buzzing at 7am, I think of those people, that crazy club of morning runners, and I wish I were still part of them. I still could be, if I jump out of bed now, put my trainers on, and go, without a second thought.

I press snooze, and turn over. Maybe in another 5 minutes.

I open my eyes. I try to recall the dream I had but it keeps on slipping from my mind. I remember running. I remember my hands were bound in chains. I remember…nothing more aside from that.

Damn! I could have used that dream as story material.

I turn to the side and the clock on my bedside table has 4AM displayed on its digital face. Too early. I woke up too early. I close my eyes to try to go back to sleep. After a minute or two I give up. I sit up on my bed and stretch.

I pour myself a cup of coffee. I take the cup close to my face and I breathe in deep. I allow it to wash over me. I put down the cup without taking a sip—I don’t drink coffee. Is that weird? Every single morning I make myself a cup of coffee just to breathe in its wondrous scent. Everyone has their own quirks I guess. I tap on the touchpad of my laptop and the screen comes to life. A blank word document stares at me. I sigh.

Okay, time to go to work.

I’m about to place my fingers on the keys but then I hesitate. What to write? I try to recall my dream once again but I still find it elusive. I type in a couple of sentences. I read them once, then twice, and then I delete them. I turn my face to the ceiling and I spin on my swivel chair. It’s been a week already and I still haven’t gotten over my writer’s block. A minute passes by and I start to see patterns on the stains on my ceiling. I see a gnarled face of an old man. I see a skull. I see a spider sitting on top of the skull.

A skull-eating spider? No… An old man who loves to collects skulls. He has a pet spider. The spider’s not your typical spider though. It loves to eat the flesh off of dead people. Whenever the old man gets his arthritic hands on a newly found skull, he lets his pet spider eat the flesh off of it first—to clean it up, to make it look nice and neat. He then sets it on his wooden cabinet, along with the other skulls he had collected. He takes out a key in his pocket and he unlocks a drawer. Inside, another skull sits. It’s smaller than the others. It’s older as well. It has already turned yellow with age. He looks at it long. He looks at it with a smile. He doesn’t see a skull. He sees his son. The old man with the gnarled face starts crying, his pet spider sitting on his shoulder. I open my eyes and I start typing, the scent of coffee lingering in the air.

My body is tired, it fights for breath. I wake, reaching for the orange inhaler, that will ease the burning in my chest. Two maybe three puffs, and I sink back into the pillows. Breath comes easier now, not as jarred. What time is it? I reach for my phone, and bleary eyed try to focus on the small screen. 10.30am, I haven’t overslept that much, but I am still tired. Yet not sleepy.

Shafts of sunlight peer through my curtains. Bright light, that makes me want to get up and run. But not yet, I am still ill.

My morning pattern is disrupted. My brain feels heavy, my mind anything but mindful.

And, I am not happy.

I know illness cannot be overcome without rest. In the jumble that has become my morning, nothing is quite what it seems or what I feel it should be. Yet, I have to come to a place of acceptance, that without rest, I will not get better.

I long to return to the time of up, and out on the road. My breath hard and sharp again, but this time, because I am pushing, I am striding out. Several miles later, I return. I am free. I am ready for interaction. I can face my day.

In my head I am running.

In the dawn’s early light, when the only other souls up are farmer’s or doctors returning bleary eyed from nightshifts. My feet beat a rhytmn, my mind feels free, I am connected. I am within nature. A big sky stretches to the hills, clouds rest on her.

Several weeks now, without a run. Several weeks of weak breath, and tiredness. Of continual meds and higher doese. Several weeks of weakness. Several weeks please end today.

I slump back against the pillows, and dream for my morning’s, my running, my freedom – to return to me.

What are you up to this morning?

I’ve hooked up with the write practice this morning, pondering on their prompt morning, I’d love to know what morning means to you?

That’s it for now …

Salt and Sparkle = Life Remarkable

http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2012/1/21/morning.html

The room feels brighter than it usually is. I open my eyes wider and see the messed up blanket that my sister used. Oh, they already left for school. I grab my phone and check on the time. 07:10, it reads. I turn on my tummy and type a quick greeting as I do every morning, when I get up earlier than usual.

“Morning,” I typed and added a simple smile at the end.

I put it back on the bedside table and bury my face into my pillow. I can still sleep for an hour.

Eyes closed but mind wavering, I hear that familiar melody alerting a message. I turn, take my phone and read the new message. I smile.

Every morning seems like a routine already. A text message and a smile.

I lie back down on the bed, staring at the white ceiling as I think of the tasks I have to work on today. But I close my eyes again and feel sleepiness crawling back into me. There’s nothing much to do anyway.

Every morning, I battle laziness and sleepiness, since I no longer have classes, nor do I have a job.

I think about the things I could accomplish for a whole day, if only I wasn’t so lazy. More than one blog post would be ready for publishing. My crazy story – or maybe a short novel – idea could be planned out. I could finally memorize one song and play it on my recently repaired guitar.

So many things, so much time. And I could finish them too, if only I wasn’t so lazy. Eyes still closed, I feel everything growing dark. Everything around me quiet and still.

I’ll sleep for an hour and then I’ll get up and start working. But for now, I want to sleep.

Nice, Unisse. I want to know more about this, though: “I turn, take my phone and read the new message. I smile.”

It’s a message from someone special.

Every morning is the same. And no matter how many days pass by, it still makes me smile. 🙂

I love mornings….not one in particular, but all especially those early ones when I wake up in my cozy apartment, I look at the window and see no car,no people, nothing…like I am the only one on the Planet. Then I imagine myself so many things waiting for the sun to show up. I prepare my coffee and relax till 7 when I go downstairs to by the newspaper. I have a nice conversation with the old man at the newsstand and I’m coming back in my apartment. I check my email, read the newspaper, drink half of my coffee and take a shower. Then it comes the difficult part: I have to get dress!:) After changing my outfit 3 or 4 times, I put a little make up if I still have time, brush my hair and call for a cab. I watch myself in the mirror for the last time, I take a deep breath and then I run on the stairs because I realize how late I am:)

Well chosen details – I was immediately in your “world.” Cool.

As I open my eyes to another mist filled brisk morning, my first thought is that I have another day to enjoy life. I’m not quite ready to give up the reverence of the misty glaze that greets me, the warm mist rising through the rays of the sun. The sense of peace so completely overwhelms me. The quiet loudly fills my soul and I just want to revel a few more minutes in those first moments of the day, before the reality of life sets in and my day blossoms.

This was quite beautiful, Patty. I especially liked this, “The quiet loudly fills my soul and I just want to revel….”

The urge to roll over wins. Turning slowly I realize anxious little eyes jumping up and down next to the bed, begging entrance under the warm covers. I lift the duvet signaling admission and happy eyes enthusiastically crawl over me and snuggle in between toasty bodies.

My eyes glance at the clock – 4:something. Not time to get up yet. Scrunching my pillow, I nestle down for a couple more hours of sleep. Ahhh…

I’m awakened rather harshly by sheets of rain pelting against my window with curious force. Groping in the darkness, I reach for my cell and squint to see the time. It’s 6:30 a.m.

When a loud crash of thunder shakes the entire house with a thundering boom, all morning drowsiness suddenly disappears. The sheets feel cool and delicious, but an overwhelming urge to peek out the window at the storm overrides my desire to enjoy the comfort of the bed.

I pad across the floor in bare feet. The trees are bending low, their limbs waving violently as the wind whips about. Lightning bolts every few minutes, illuminating the world momentarily.

It’s extraordinary. We don’t get thunderstorms in January. And such an unusual occurrence on a winter Saturday morning calls for comfort. The type of comfort that can only come from warm, melt-in-your mouth goodness. Sugar and butter.

The hum-drum of falling rain becomes a comfortable, familiar rhythm as ingredients are measured and mixed. Dough is kneaded, rounded, and shaped into little rolls. Soon, the smell of cinnamon wafts through the air.

I open the window to take a deep breath of the fresh rain scent. Early morning hours are pure magic.

This is what I experienced this morning. I enjoyed reading your creative descriptions.

Thank you, Lea!

Very much enjoyed this today.

Eyes not yet open, I snuggle back and our bodies meld together as one. Sean’s arm is wrapped around me, protecting me from the world. One of my ear plugs has fallen out and the other has wiggled it’s way to the half mark and threatens to leap at any moment.

The morning used to be my favourite time of day. I loved getting up while it was still dark out and nobody else is stirring. I would sip my morning tea, enjoying the uninterrupted silence, and challenge the crossword puzzle. Alas, those days are now as rare as a hen’s tooth.

My last mini marshmallow has now fallen from my ear and my peace is interrupted. An irksome cacophony has commenced outside my window, likely a murder of crows, which I would ironically very much like to do away with at this moment. I try to jam my earplugs back in place, to no avail. My eyes have popped open and there’s no going back. Time to get up.

I put aside my murderous thoughts, and tenderly place a kiss on his wrinkled brow. And as I turn for my robe, he jumps up and is do and wn the stairs before me. I am envious of his astonishing agility as I hobble my w ay down with aching arches from overdoing it the gym yesterday. I should have listened to the doctor and bought those arch supports after all.

He sets the coffee to brewing, he has put the kettle on for my tea, and as I near, he turns towards me, with an impish smile. He sweeps me up in his arms, leading me around the kitchen, and our laughter takes the place of the lyrics to the marvellous melody that only we can hear.

And this beautiful day begins.. .

Wow. I feel slightly jealous!

That is beautiful, both the description “mini marshmallow”, “his astonishing agility as I hobble down with aching feet”, and the morning itself. I love “dancing to a melody that only we can hear”.

I love your writing, Joe. Your words are so perfectly descriptive and I can see the sights out your window. It’s all good but that second paragrpah is especially spectacular. Very well done.

Thanks so much, Shelley.

It’s four thirty. The ritual begins with the knowledge that I should get up and start writing. But I’m just so toasty warm. Maybe I’ll lie here and plan the next chapter from my pillow. Soon my head is overflowing with details. I stick one arm outside of the covers, braving the chill, and reach for my writer’s notebook. I fumble for the light switch and then my glasses. My husband grumbles and turns away from the light. As my tired eyelids slowly rise, I scribble down some notes, but I can’t read them. Oh heck. I need to be at my computer. I throw on some sweats and stop by the bedroom window. The street light at the top of my driveway illuminates a steady stream of rain. But no other lights are on up and down the street. I am the first one up. Winning! By the time I get to my office, Old Man McCarthy across the street has turned on his kitchen light. Whew. That was close. He almost beat me. For another morning we’ll make our coffee in sync. While my kitchen fills with the aroma of freshly brewed café Verona, I check e-mail and Facebook. I respond to all my night owl friends who wrote after I had gone to bed. After pouring my first cup of coffee, I google search for my novel. Then I do a fifteen-minute Write Practice. It’s a warm up, I tell myself. Lots of time has passed, and I need a break. So I get the newspaper and pour my second cup of coffee. And then I panic. Every day the same. It’s eight o’clock already. My husband is not on assignment right now. If he smells that coffee and wakes up, my writing is shot. He will arrive in my office with an ironclad plan for the day. I scribble madly on my notepad and then on my keyboard, nervously listening for the creak of hardwood under slippered feet. Will I ever finish this second draft?

I like the idea of making coffee “in sync” with the neighbor. The details here are simple but well chosen. I feel like I’m looking in and then at the end I feel the rush like it’s me trying to get finished before something makes me leave my writing. I’m watching and then I’m there. It’s like a good movie.

I wake up. But I was never really asleep. Not last night. Not most nights.

My days are busy, full of worry and wonder. And the occasional exciting event.

But today, I am aware. Of the emptiness and routine. I eat my oatmeal, swishing it around in my mouth before I swallow. I can barely taste the gritty mush. For a moment, I think of the Matrix, but the thought passes and I hear the kettle shriek.

I go to the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee. French press — the way I prefer it. I haven’t smiled yet today.

I sit in front of my laptop, with a blanket and dog covering my legs. And I begin to write.

The only sound in the house is the central heating (or air, I’m not sure) kicking on and off every few minutes. That, and the rapid clicking of keys. The world is still asleep.

I lean over the arm of the couch and type. An hour later, I feel the strain in my back. Time flies in the morning.

I say goodbye to Ashley. I didn’t even notice her getting up. Or showering and brushing her teeth. Or even getting breakfast. She kisses me as she walks out the door, and my gaze returns to the screen.

1500 words. It was a good morning.

Finally, I smile.

And morning begins.

A paling night sky glows through my high basement window. I turn into my pillow, I sleep again, and dream of a road into a house, into a room, into air.

I wake to a pink light diffusing into waning night. A winter-bare rosebush is revealed by the pink light. I turn back to the pillow, draw the covers around my shoulder, and dream about an elevator that leads to a ceiling, and beyond that a maze of vines.

I feel the warm sun from the window. I see a wren in the rosebush, hopping, cocking its head to look at me. I the song of another wren, and I throw off some covers, turn the pillow, and push my face into it’s cool side. My little cat curls close and we dream about a zoo, with tiny animals that keep getting loose.

The sun gets hotter. It’s no use, I wake up. The cat jumps to the hot window sill to sleep some more. I try to think back and untie the dreams, but they have curled up with the cat to sleep on the other side of consciousness.

Some really great lines… “I wake to a pink light diffusing into waning night.” beautiful… and that last line… so perfect!

The night is still awaiting the sun. They have always been aware of each other but could not ever meet. Soon the water will wake up and awaken all roots. Trees will break the slumber of birds to sing and wake up all the world. Soon from the other side of the crack in the mountains, light would flutter and rise above the earth. The earth will glow like a bride’s face. Thus, begins the awaking of another day.

Krishna Kumar

You’re a poet, Krisha.

Is it any Good or am I wasting your time and mine ?. I request your candid response.

It’s beautiful.

My body is warm and cozy under the weight of the blankets and, although I am awake before dawn, I do not wish to get out of bed. The thought of the chilly air colliding with my warm skin causes me to burrow deeper in to the bed and even closer to the warm body of my husband. I feel safe and at peace wrapped in my lovers arms.

“Good morning. I love you,” he whispers in my ear, then snuggles even closer.

What a wonderful thing to hear first thing in the morning. I respond in kind.

The wind howls across the lake. Tree limbs sweep back and forth over the roof. A low rumble of thunder in the distance soon becomes a lion’s roar, rattling the windows and shaking the house. The dark blue sky lights up as a bolt of lightning strikes nearby.

I lay there and think how our outdoor plans for today have just been cancelled and I smile.

I really like the “lion’s roar” bit!

The first thing that wakes me is my phone buzzing to alert me to an e-mail. I glance at it bleary-eyed. The address bar tells me some barbaric blog site called “The Write Practice” was active at 8:18 in the morning. The subject bar seems to mock me. “Morning,” it says, as if I were stupid and didn’t know that already. “No shit,” comes my muttered oath. I throw the phone back onto the night table, groan lightly and pull the covers over my head to keep out the unwanted morning cool. What seems like seconds later, the phone vibrates again. I give it a cursory glance, seeing my friend’s name this time, and know that I have to answer. With oodles of sweet, sweet sympathy and plenty of smiley faces to camouflage my case of morning bitch, I respond to her cry for help. 9:24, I read on the bright, bright screen that is then placed face-down under my pillow. I lie there for a moment, thinking that I really should get up. I have to vacuum the house. I have to clean my closet. I have to drink coffee and eat breakfast. I have to start building a responsible morning routine. Something must be wrong with me. I have no problem getting up at 5:00 in the morning to get to school, I think. Why can’t I get up at 9:30 when I don’t have somewhere to be? Something’s wrong. I snort at my own interior monologue and close my eyes again. My 10:00 alarm rings. Just a couple seconds of waking up time, I think, then I am really getting up. I hear my mother yelling at my little brother that he can’t just sit around all day – chores are to be done in the morning. I think to myself, yeah, I should get up and do mine, too. I fall back asleep. The vacuum cleaner turns on at 11:30. I drag myself out of bed and up the stairs to where my mother sits on the couch watching television. “Who’s vacuuming what?” I ask irritably. She looks at me. Her blue eyes glow with contempt at my disheveled appearance. “Your father is doing sanding work in our bathroom. He’s vacuuming the dust that fell.” “Oh,” I say stupidly. “Chores need to be done,” she reminds me. “Your brother did the bathroom already.” I splutter. “What?! I did the bathroom last night!” I explode in French. English isn’t expressive enough. “Did he not notice that everything was spotless and all the towels were changed and that it smelled like cleaner?” “Oh well, now it’s just doubly clean,” she states matter-of-factly. That’s not how it works! I am furious. I should have gotten up earlier, this wouldn’t have happened. Screw this. I’m going back to bed.

“The subject bar seems to mock me. ” Loved that and your response to it!

Whoops, sorry for double posting!

The Morning After Cats (Not The Musical)

My eyes are drawbridges, slowly rising, opening up to let the world through. I barely slept, my own wheezing keeping me awake half the night. Cats. Always the culprit. Sure they are cute in their own way. Furry, fuzzy, playful. Somehow they always find me. But waking up in the morning in a house where a cat lives has been the equivalent to the worst hangover of my life the several times I’ve done it. I’m always woozy, mostly from trying to inhale real air and failing due to that one piece of cat hair stuck precariously in the back of my throat. My airway constricts. I feel sick and panicky, wondering how I’m going to get out alive.

Okay, I lied. Waking up the morning after I’ve been in a house with a cat all night is worse than a hangover.

I swell. I itch. My eyes become narrower and narrower until I can barely see. Laying down is a death wish. If I don’t want to wonder how I’m going to make it through the night while reclining, I have to sleep sitting up. Imagine that. Being that close to the carpet of hair never works for me, although I’ve tried. I’m not the most allergic person to cats I’ve ever known, but I’m pretty bad. My dad could be worse. He’s just the most allergic person to most things I’ve ever known. He’s allergic to the sun. Breaks out in hives if he’s out in the sun for more than a half hour. So as a result he wears a lot of sunscreen. But back to the cats.

I remember the first time I was around cats overnight. I was in New Jersey, staying at my long distance boyfriend’s house. I was 17 and it was probably the first time I’d stayed away from home in a different state than the one I lived in with people who weren’t my relatives. It was really exciting until it was bedtime. Aside from the thick layer of dust infesting my teenage boyfriend’s bedroom (my sleeping quarters while he slept on the couch), there was my worst enemy: the central heating duct. Circulating air all night. Not clean air. Hot, cat air. The kind that makes me itch when it blows on my skin. The kind that is gross and musty and dusty and cat-y. Ugh, I didn’t sleep at all that night and from then on, whenever there’s been a cat in my midst, I cringe.

Sidenote: people who aren’t allergic to cats never know how hard it is to be allergic to something that they think is a part of their family. Imagine being allergic to someone’s baby. Sure you like the baby and would love to hold it and love it and give it attention but because you know you’re going to sneeze and convulse and not be able to breathe for the next day or two, you sort of want to avoid it. Like the plague. Then people get offended that you don’t want to play with their pet. To some they think it akin to ignoring their baby because to them, it IS their baby. Well, I’m sorry. I like your cat/baby, but I can’t help it! When I come over to your house, I feel bad because for some reason, your cat likes me. A LOT. It wants to rub against my pant leg (oh great, now I have to wash that.). It wants me to pet it and it will purr until I do. (Have to wash my hands now! Twice. And scrub). And sometimes it can sense my fear (not of it but of it’s hair invading my nostrils like a disease) and it runs away from me. Those times, I’m lucky. They say I could take allergy medicine. But can you imagine being told you need to take a pill every time you come over to someone’s house? A pill that makes your dopey and tired and silly stupid? That’s what allergy medicine does to me. So I’ll take it if I’m desperate, but otherwise, I’m just going to fake it and pretend that I’m not dying if I come over to your house when you have cats. Please don’t be offended. Your furry friend isn’t a friend to me. And for that, I apologize.

My cell phone rings. It’s the alarm clock. My arm goes sideways and turn it off. The rest of my body follows and immediately I’m back to sleep.

I always dream deeper after the first alarm sounds. This morning is different. I don’t stay in bed, I wake up, walk to the bathroom, pee, wash my face, dry it. I walk to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee on the stove. I turn around and walk back to the bathroom to take a shower that is warm but not too hot (that can elevate your blood pressure, did you know?).

I get dressed, do my hair, make up and choose what shoes to wear. I take my time organizing my bag and getting my lunch ready. After everything is done I go wake up Felipe so we can have breakfast together.

I go in to my room and sit on the edge of the bed, I stretch my arm to touch him and that’s when the alarm clock sounds and I really have to wake up, so I can start everything again.

*Sorry for any mistakes! I’m brazilian! 😉

The second paragraph here has the rhythm of a morning routine. I think if you leave off the last sentence of the second paragraph. it would be even plodding, with the over-learned cadence of a morning routine. The last sentence in that paragraph stands out as something all together different. It is interesting info but not necessary in this very spare and very well written little story about that awful dream we all have about getting ready. Boy I hate to do all that stuff twice. I don’t see any errors. Your English is better than a lot of native speakers for sure.

Great job, Joanna. You’re English is EXCELLENT.

I like this interjection here: “(that can elevate your blood pressure, did you know?).” I didn’t know that!

Besides that, I agree with everything Marianne said. Great stuff, Joana 🙂

An abrupt awareness of my position in the bed and my aloneness in the dark room signaled a switch in consciousness from asleep to awake. I closed one eye before glancing toward the digital clock to prevent overstimulation. 5:43. I shouldn’t bother using an alarm.

The list of verbs had begun to accumulate the moment my eyes opened. Stand up, walk, drink, heat, eat, drink, dress, drink. I had plenty of time to wake up but only 45 minutes to digest before I’d be forced to throw my entire body into violent action on the tennis courts.

I followed the kitchen tiles around the counter to the stove and jolted backwards the moment I lifted my eyes. An unmistakable cockroach perched threateningly on the kitchen cabinet. The urge to scream pushed its way up my throat, and I shivered it back down. We stood-off, the cockroach and I, each paralyzed in an unexpected break in morning routine.

At 7:10 my alarm clock rings out, I aggressively slam the snooze button for a few more precious minutes of sleep. I roll over and return to my slumber, until my persistent and noisy wake up call tries again. This time I listen, and open my eyes to a chilly and rather cluttered room. After laying there and pondering the day ahead I arise from my bed and begin preparations for school which begins at 8:30. I have 15 minutes until I need to leave. It takes me a few more minutes to wake up. “If I hurry I can grab some breakfast before I leave,” I say to myself as I put my jeans on. I then gather my books and place them in my backpack. I now have 5 minutes before I need to leave. “No time for breakfast.” I brush my teeth and say so long to my mom who is sitting on the couch chatting with a friend. I walk out the door and toward my car. I look down my street to see the sun greeting me just as he did the morning before. I start my engine and another day begins.

A thick gulp of water, darkness Swipe my I.D. badge, followed by job title “Beep”… “beep”. Beliefs crystallize to a steaming teacup The warmth never sweetens my interpreted poise Words in a vague structure An exposed connection with hazel eyes, mine Two more clear faces before a mistaken stranger’s hello

-Not really D.J., it’s Sarah

If I didnt see this writing exercise, I would probably have never written anything praticularly about the morning. Because actually, im not really a morning person, I usually dont wake up before noon. Its probably because I go to bed much too late. Dont know why my sleeping routine has seriously changed since im here, in Porto. Maybe im more relaxed? Could be.

My morning starts with snoozing the alarm of my mobile phone, like 5 times. So that gives me almost half an hour more of sleep, yay! I push of the blanket so I feel the cold air touching my skin through my pjama, which helps me to get out of bed. I open the curtains, slowly walk towards the bathroom and wash my face, which helps me to really wake up, because most of the time I feel like a zombie. But the funny thing is that actually Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, I always enjoy it. A piece of toast, some olives, cheese, and ofcourse a boiled or preferebly scrambled egg. Thats how I start my day, if I have time. If I dont have time, its just yogurt or cereal, but thats also fine by me. As long as I eat something before I leave the house, otherwise I can not function. If I have a shower, a long hot shower, thats even better. It takes me about half an hour to get ready to leave the house. Put on my clothes, do my make up and prepare my bag. It wasnt so bad, the morning. Maybe tomorrow, I will snooze my alarm just 2 times.

At the sound of the alarm, I sneak downstairs in darkness to hit ‘Brew’ on the coffee machine, sneak back upstairs to steal a few more minutes of dark peace, waiting for black gold to gather in the carafe. Those moments nestled between sleep and waking, branded with residues of dreams cooked up in mental battle between emotion and reason, peppered with random thoughts not subsided float up to consciousness. I lay in the warm covers grateful for time’s in-betweens, a drifting meditational fuzz lazily selecting early focus. It’s well understood even by my floating mind that this is a warm-up, and as so nothing it stops and sniffs out really ‘counts.’ Once fresh coffee presents its warm comfort, the day can’t be denied entrance and I welcome my morning ritual and all its events, still folded tight like tissue paper origami.

Downstairs a private world of responsibility and discovery beckons me. After that first joyful cup of java, I march to. Given too much time to craft justifications to delay a workout, I might let the body’s temple decay or expand beyond its blueprint, so I’ve shifted to meeting the varying workout routines with excitement and interest. Amazing how quickly the temple’s alter is anointed when entered with reverence and joy. A timed shower, gathering of commuter’s armaments – lunch, backpack, reading and communication tools – and buttoning up the house for departure seals the morning as I step out into wooded surroundings. The best days are clear, allowing sapphire blue to seep through trees not yet adorned with leaves. Spring is here and I couldn’t feel more fresh and alive.

There are few things more sacred than the stillness, the newness of each morning. As the phone jostles me awake, silently, I groan at the thought of leaving the comfort of my warm bed, I struggle to push the memory of another kind of comfort that awaits me to the forefront of my mind. I stumble towards my closet, wiping the sleep from my eyes and in an almost robotic fashion, pull on a pair of shorts and a shirt- whichever is conveniently residing at the top of the pile.

While my feet still ache from the previous day’s work, the sight of my trusty running buddies begin to call my senses awake. I lace them up and head for the door. Along the way, I don the appropriate apparel, a reflective vest, a lamp to light the way and a spritz of motivation to keep me moving forward.

The double beep of the door ushers me into the still cold darkness and the burst of fresh air ignites my senses. I coerce myself to put one foot in front of the other, forcing myself into a rigid forward motion. I look around at the still darkened windows of my neighbors as I pass and I feel more together than alone.

While the rest of the world still delights in their slumber, I am accompanied by my thoughts, my dreams, and the increasing chirps of nature slowly yawning and stretching to greet the new day. I’m more alive than ever and surer of my place in the world. Right here, where I belong, I awake to find my place- one foot in front of the other in the stillness and newness of each morning.

I wish I could bottle up dawn. If I could, I would place them in a vessel of fragile crystal, and hide them from sight. I would tiptoe to my precious cargo, and take it out of sight. I would cradle it, taking care to delight in it.

Dawn is a release-yes, for us!- from the shackles of the night. It is the slow spread of vibrant colors of blushing reds, joyful orange, somber blues, and the golden lights of bottled laughter against an almost black canvas of the now lost yesterday. It is the frozen tabelau of a world still sleeping, and a break from an almost neverending motion of life. In my dawn, I feel peace.

After the slight struggle of the night’s shackles, I am tired and weary. My bed beckons me, but the day must begin. And after I wrestle my cotton clouds of comforts, and trudge to the room of cleaning, I see my world in a new light. The air is crisp, and fresh. My grateful lungs inhale it to replace the stale air of the night before. My brain is rested, and my body rejoices in a world of delightful silence. Even the birds seem to share my joy, chirping in absolute delight.

If I could bottle my dawn, I could trade the day’s chaos and noise for the wonderful world of stillness and peace. Dawn is a treasure, a gift sent from my Creator. Dawn is peaceful, and dawn is a delight.

I love the mornings. It is my time alone. To do what I want whether it’s watching TV., making cookies, or writing. The start of a new day. A fresh start. A new beginning. Yesterday is gone.

Hello, an extract from a story where the ‘morning’ theme applies in the most standard of ways (the fact that the story is set in the morning) haha. Hope you enjoy and any feedback is much appreciated. Thank you! P.S. Don’t be afraid to be harsh. All was still. The road hadn’t been used for hours, undisturbed sand settled inside the cracks and crevasses of the tarmac. The sun rose from the East, casting long morning shadows over the ground. The only sounds came from the distinctive flapping of bird’s wings as they rose for their morning flight. All was normal.

The events of the morning so far were no different than any other. It was seldom that cars ran past and on very rare occasions the thundering of cargo carriers could be heard overhead. With the exception of the long tarmac carriageway, the only man made object was the tatty, faded route 66 sign, the flaking white paint had largely been ripped off by the wind and replaced with the orange tint of sand granules, the two black number sixes still served their purpose however as they could still be identified through the windscreen of a passing motor. The 66th route lead in a straight line from the North to the South, when standing next to the dilapidated sign the black tarmac surface was no longer visible after two miles in both directions. Bronze canyons cast in light and dark shadows swallowed each point of the road and made it impossible to see any further. Apart from the birds, life was a scarcity along the orange plains that fell and rose in the East and West. Thick Cacti, rooted to the ground were dotted every now and again in random places for as far as the eye could see, their underground tentacles digging for the remnants of the wet seasons rain water. Survival of the fittest.

The faint hum of engines grew louder and louder until two cars were spat onto the road from the North Canyon. The sun’s rays bouncing back off the windows and silver linings of the vehicles. It did not take them long to cover the three-kilometre distance to the sign. But there they went no further, the two vehicles, now distinguishable as a lime green Jeep and bright red Buick, came to a halt yards away from the pole that supported the triangular sign.

I hear the front door of our apartment creak open and the accompanying clatter from the 5 small chimes banging against each other and the door. It is a startling awakening. It’s 5 a.m. my son has just arrived home from working overnight. I know that it is him for reasons beyond the fact that he is the only person that would be entering at that time of day.

It is the sounds that give him away. The first sound that you hear is the electronic key pad of the door lock. Each number keyed sounds a different pitch. So, in theory, to gain access the sounds would be the same if you or I know the combination. However, there is another variable to consider. Tempo.

Each member of the family marches, to a different drum beat. Or, when they key the combination into the front door lock some do it very fast, others slow. This drastically affects the sounds of the person entering the house and is also a clue to who might be entering. I tend to hit the repeated numbers faster in double time. Like dah tatta dah! Then there is the opening of the door.

The door makes a unique sound and is made up of at least three parts. The sound of the hinges of the door, the chimes and yes the tempo or speed in which the action is taken. My son usually opens the door quickly, and the creaking sound of the door is one quick, short screech. At that speed, those dangling chimes go to town and clash like crazy. It is loud.

My wife usually opens the door at a tempo that fully maximizes the potential of those chimes. They sound like the tiny bells in a hand bell choir. She really likes those bells, and I would give just about anything to throw them away.

Back to my morning. It is 5 a.m. and I am ready to rock and roll!

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Morning Pages Prompts: 50 Quick and Easy Ideas to Get You Writing

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: April 19, 2023  - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Self Improvement , Writing

As we all know, starting our day with a clear mind and setting our intentions can improve our productivity and happiness. One effective way to achieve this is through the practice of morning pages. Morning pages are a form of journaling where we write down our thoughts, feelings, and ideas as they come to us, usually first thing in the morning.

Morning pages prompts can be especially helpful for keeping us engaged and focused during our journaling sessions. Prompts are a great way to spark our creativity, tap into our subconscious thoughts, and help us work through challenges or emotions we may be experiencing. They essentially guide us in exploring our thoughts and feelings in a structured way, making the practice more enjoyable and effective.

In this article, we will discuss various morning pages prompts that we can use to get our creative juices flowing and make our morning journaling sessions more enriching and fulfilling. By incorporating these prompts into our routine, we can unlock new perspectives and insights, ultimately setting the tone for a successful and productive day.

50 Morning Pages Prompts to Inspire You

Starting our day with morning pages is an excellent way to clear our minds and set our goals. However, sometimes we need a little inspiration to get the pen moving. Here are 50 prompts to help us get started with our morning pages:

• Describe your ideal morning routine.
• What are three things you’re grateful for today?
• Write a letter to your future self.
• What are your goals for the day?
• List five things that bring you joy.
• Write about a favorite childhood memory.
• Describe your perfect day.
• What are your current challenges, and how can you overcome them?
• What qualities do you admire in others?
• List ten things you’d like to learn or improve upon.
• Write a poem about your favorite season.
• How would you spend a day without technology?
• Describe your favorite place in the world.
• What’s a new hobby you’d like to try?
• Write about a dream you recently had.
• Describe your favorite book or movie and why you love it.
• What are your favorite self-care activities?
• Write a letter to someone who has positively impacted your life.
• What are some of your favorite quotes or sayings?
• Reflect on an experience that helped shape who you are today.
• Write about a time when you felt truly proud of yourself.
• List five things that make you unique.
• What are your values?
• Write a short story based on a dream or daydream.
• How do you handle stress or anxiety?
• Describe your favorite piece of art or music.
• What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
• Write about a lesson you’ve learned from a mistake.
• What are your favorite ways to express yourself creatively?
• Describe when you faced a fear or stepped out of your comfort zone.
• List five things you’d like to accomplish in the next year.
• Write about a person who inspires you.
• What is your favorite memory with a loved one?
• How do you practice self-compassion?
• Describe your favorite holiday or celebration.
• Write about a time when you experienced a breakthrough or “aha” moment.
• What are your favorite simple pleasures in life?
• Describe your favorite outdoor activity.
• Write about a time when you felt truly present in the moment.
• What are some things you’re looking forward to in the future?
• Describe a place you’d love to travel to.
• Write about an act of kindness you’ve experienced or witnessed.
• Reflect on a time when you showed resilience.
• What’s your favorite way to connect with others?
• Write about a time when you felt a deep sense of belonging.
• Describe your favorite smell and why it’s special to you.
• What’s a piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Describe something you’re passionate about and why.
• What is one thing you’d like to be remembered for?

What Are Morning Pages Prompts?

Morning pages prompts are simple, thought-provoking questions or statements that help us start our daily writing habit. The idea is to fill three pages with stream-of-consciousness writing, allowing our thoughts to flow freely without judgment, editing, or analysis.

These prompts can be anything, from questions about our emotions and experiences to creating scenarios or hypothetical situations. The purpose is to encourage self-exploration, self-expression, and mental decluttering, enabling us to understand ourselves and our emotions better.

Some popular morning pages prompts might include:

• What am I grateful for today?
• How am I feeling right now, and why?
• What are my dreams and goals, and how can I achieve them?

Alternately, some might prefer to use quotes, affirmations, or visual images as prompts to inspire their writing.

It’s essential to remember that there are no rules or restrictions when it comes to morning pages prompts. We’re free to choose the ones that resonate most with us or create our own. Remember, the primary objective is to ignite our creativity and self-awareness through our daily writing practice.

Benefits of Morning Pages

When we start our day with morning pages, we can experience various benefits. This section will discuss how morning pages can boost creativity, improve mental clarity, and reduce stress.

Boost Creativity

One of the most significant benefits of morning pages is their ability to boost our creativity. Writing down our thoughts and ideas first thing in the morning gives our brains space to explore new concepts and think outside the box. This practice can also help us break through creative blocks by encouraging the flow of thoughts and ideas.

Furthermore, morning pages help us develop daily writing habits, making connecting and refining our ideas easier, leading to increased creative output in the long run.

Improve Mental Clarity

Morning pages act as a form of meditation for our minds. By dedicating time to write every morning, we’re allowing ourselves to organize our thoughts and clear our minds. This allows us to prioritize tasks and better understand our goals.

As we write consistently, we’ll notice that our ability to focus and make decisions throughout the day improves. This mental clarity can increase productivity and a more organized work and personal life approach.

Reduce Stress

Another significant benefit of morning pages is their ability to help us reduce stress. By writing down our thoughts and concerns, we can process negative thoughts and feelings healthily, improving mental health.

Additionally, creating a daily routine built around morning pages can bring structure and stability to our lives, reducing anxiety stemming from disorganization. As we continue to engage in this practice, we may find ourselves better equipped to cope with stressors and maintain a more positive outlook.

How to Start Your Morning Pages

Starting your morning pages can be a transformative experience, and with a few simple steps, we can easily integrate this practice into our daily lives.

Setting Up Your Space

First, set up a dedicated space for writing our morning pages. It’s essential to have a comfortable environment free from distractions. We can add a cozy chair, some calming plant life, and inspiring artwork to personalize our space.

Choosing a Writing Format

Next, choose a writing format that works best for us. Some prefer traditional pen and paper, while others opt for digital tools. Various formats include:

• Handwritten journals
• Online writing apps
• Word processors

Experiment with different formats to determine what feels most natural and enjoyable for our morning pages practice.

Establishing a Routine

Finally, let’s establish a routine to make morning pages a consistent habit. Here are some tips to keep us on track:

• Stick to a specific time each morning.
• Commit to writing at least three pages.
• Focus on the process, not on perfection.
• Hold ourselves accountable with a writing buddy or tracking app.

Remember, morning pages are a personal journey, so let’s make it our own and embrace the growth that comes with consistent practice.

The prompts above can help us explore various aspects of our lives, from personal growth to daily routines. They can serve as a guide to make our morning pages more engaging and beneficial. So let’s grab our journals, pick a prompt, and start writing!

Maximizing the Effects of Morning Pages Prompts

One of the best ways to benefit from morning pages is to maximize their effects through strategic approaches. Let’s discuss some ways we can do that in the following sub-sections.

Review and Reflect

Regularly reviewing our morning pages helps us identify patterns, self-discoveries, and areas of improvement. Set aside some time each week to review our previous writings and note insights we’ve gained, emotions we’ve expressed, and breakthroughs we experienced.

Experiment with Different Prompts

To prevent our morning pages practice from becoming monotonous, we recommend trying out various prompts periodically. Here are a few ideas to get us started:

• What are we grateful for today?
• What challenges do we anticipate, and how can we overcome them?
• If we could achieve one goal today, what would it be?

By varying the prompts, we can tap into different aspects of our thoughts, emotions, and actions, fostering more creativity and self-awareness.

Share Your Experience

Although morning pages are a personal practice, sharing our experiences with like-minded individuals can be invaluable. We can join online forums or writing groups and exchange ideas, inspiration, and prompt suggestions. Additionally, sharing our experiences can encourage others to adopt this therapeutic practice, expanding its benefits to a larger community.

We hope you’ve found this article on morning pages prompts helpful! Morning pages offer an incredible opportunity to tap into our creativity, uncover hidden emotions, and aid personal growth. By utilizing these prompts, we can form a daily writing habit that truly impacts our lives in positive ways.

Remember, it’s essential to keep our morning pages routine enjoyable, and flexible. We’re not striving for perfection or trying to impress anyone, including ourselves. We should focus on the process and the benefits it offers:

• Improved creativity
• Enhanced self-reflection
• Reduced stress
• Better focus

Feel free to modify, combine or even create your prompts to suit your preferences. The key is to be honest with ourselves and let our thoughts and feelings flow onto the page. That way, we’ll see the most significant benefits of this powerful writing practice.

So, let’s grab our notebook and pen, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the journey of self-discovery through morning pages. Happy writing!

20 Morning Writing Prompts to Inspire a Great Day

by Laurie Jonas | May 26, 2020 | Manifesting | 0 comments

Starting your morning off in a positive way can make all the difference. In fact, I’m of the opinion that utilizing morning writing prompts is one of the best ways to inspire a great day. When I listened to Abraham Hicks last week, and he told me that “You are in pure positive energy every moment that you are asleep,” I immediately wrote the post, The Power of Positive Thoughts in the Morning . It included 30-morning affirmations you can choose from to keep the positive energy flowing. But I feel like there is more you can do. So today, I am providing you 20 morning writing prompts to keep the positive momentum going.

To motivate you, here are a few reasons to start writing in your journal every morning:

• Your mind is clear and flowing with positive energy. Take advantage of that and write some of the positive intuition and messages down.
• If you journal before you check your phone or social media, you can focus on what you want. Not what you should be doing or how to do something better than others. Journaling is a way to tap into your own creative mind.
• When you repeatedly do something, it becomes a habit. In this case, a positive habit that can change the momentum of your days.
• If you get up early enough, you can take advantage of the quiet before the routine of your day has to start—schedule time when you will have no distractions.
• The more you write about what you love and what makes you happy, the more things that you love and make you happy will show up in your life. It’s the Law of Attraction !
• The key to creating your best life is to be clear on what you desire. Journaling can help you find that clarity.

OK, now that you know the benefits to journal writing , here are some morning writing prompts to get you started.

Just pick one each day. Notice which one triggers a response when you read it. What is your intuition nudging you to write about?

20 Morning Writing Prompts

These 5 things make me feel good and will make me feel better today.

How does my body feel today? Where is there tension and stress? Where do I feel light? Start with your toes and scan to the top of your head.

What is one baby step I can take today that will move me in the direction of my desires?

This is what is really exciting in my life right now!

What thoughts kept me up last night? Write for 15 minutes about that thought and why it lingers.

What can I do today that I will appreciate tonight before I sleep?

How can I bring someone else joy today?

Related Post: Journal Prompts to Find Focus

Start Your Morning Off Right

What can I do today that will make me feel healthy?

What is my soul telling me today? Take 3 deep breaths and ask the question. Then start writing whatever comes to mind.

Where in my life do I need more help? Money, spirituality, love, career, purpose, friendships, or health. Who can I ask to help?

A praise I have is… A prayer I have is… Write praise and prayer. What am I grateful for, and what do I need? This morning writing prompt idea borrowed from Elizabeth McCravy .

Is there a new affirmation I want to write ? Write one based on the answer to these questions. What do I want to feel like today? What am I really good at? How do I want to show myself to the world?

What would a perfect day look like today?

Things to Journal About in the Morning

Write about a memory from my childhood that makes me happy.

What popped into my mind while I was showering, exercising, brushing my teeth, making coffee, etc., this morning? What is my intuition telling me?

Can I remember anything about my dreams last night? What might they have been trying to tell me?

Related Post: 16 Thoughtful Journal Prompts for Self Reflection 

What do I have to do today that I would rather not do? How can I change my perception of it?

Who can I connect with today? What kind of friend do I need in my life? Who can get me closer to my goals?

Or try these prompts taken from my Living Marvelously Journal.

Say this to yourself or out loud, “Spirit, take my hand. I am ready and willing to speak with you today. Thank you in advance for your words, your wisdom, your guidance, and your grace.” Then start writing.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if…? Finish that sentence in 25 different ways.

Journal Writing in the Morning

I hope I have given you some inspiration to start writing each morning with these morning writing prompts. Take advantage of the time in the morning when your mind is still in pure positive energy and is clear.

You may discover your next big dream or desire. Or, you might solve some issues that you have been struggling with. And I know you will start your day with a more positive mindset.

Happy writing!

For more motivation and inspiration to live a positive and marvelous life, check out The Living Marvelously Journal and The 5 L’s of Living Marvelously .

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100 morning pages prompts for a calmer, more creative mind

Morning pages have been a creative game changer for me. It’s a simple practice of writing out whatever is on your mind first thing in the morning, with pen on paper. There’s much more to it, but essentially it’s as simple as that. You can literally start writing morning pages with just that information. If you want, you can read Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, where she shared this creative morning routine or you can just make them part of your own writing habit . Morning pages prompts can help you jumpstart your creativity, but before we get to that, let’s first cover the basics:

How to do morning pages correctly

• Write by hand (don’t type)
• Write 3 pages (or set a timer, personally I do 10 minutes) on a daily basis
• Write whatever comes to your mind. Keep your pen moving nonstop, even if what you write is just “I don’t know what I should write about, I really don’t know what to write about, and I still don’t, but I’m just going to keep writing because this is what I committed to”
• Don’t edit or overthink. Just put the words on paper. No one will ever read them, probably not even you yourself

Morning pages prompts

Here are a few prompts to get you started you can use on in your daily writing:

• I’m grateful for…
• The last dream I remember was about…
• I’m worried about…
• I’m looking forward to…
• I feel upset about…
• I have an idea about…
• I was reading about…
• A problem I’m pondering is… and the possible solutions I’m thinking about are …, …, and ….
• How can I push myself beyond my current creative boundaries?
• I feel stressed about …
• Yesterday I listened to a song and there was a moment that resonated strongly with me when the singer sang the words …
• When I feel creatively stuck, what’s one way I can do to get back in the groove?
• What should I remind myself of the next time I don’t feel like creating my art?
• What’s one new technique I can try to stay motivated?
• Right now these are the physical sensations that I experience in different parts of my body. My chest feels …, my shoulders feel…, etc
• Right now, these are the emotions I feel: …
• When I’m looking up from my paper, this is what I see: …
• Here’s one thing I’m struggling to fully accept: …
• Here’s one thing I want to let go of: …
• How can I evaluate the quality of my own art better?
• With whom can I share one piece of my art today for the first time?
• What’s one new way for me to expose my art to the world?
• Here’s one thing I’ve recently learned: …
• Here’s one thing I like about myself: …
• Here’s one thing I dislike about myself: …
• Why do I create my art? Where does my inspiration stem from?
• What are some of the most difficult moments I’ve faced in my creative journey?
• Here’s one thing that’s so uninteresting that I would never write about it, if it weren’t for these morning pages: …
• What’s one thing I’ve been putting off for too long already? What would happen if I kept putting it off even longer?
• What sets my work apart from other artists’ work, makes it unique and special?
• Here’s everything that I can think of I did yesterday: …
• This [pick a random object in front of you] reminds me of … because …
• If I would create a fictional character that was exactly like me but had one superpower, it would be …, because …
• How can I use color to express thought?
• What does yellow mean to me?
• What’s the most important thing I want to accomplish today?
• What would make today special?
• What’s one emotion I want to convey through my art?
• How can I treat myself a little bit better in one way today than I did yesterday?
• What’s one thing I want to do differently today?
• What would I do with an extra hour in my day?
• How can I best use my creative time today?
• How can I use a plan or schedule to work more creatively?
• How can I tweak my creative routine to level up as an artist?
• What aspect of artistic self-care have I neglected?
• What’s one way to express myself creatively today?
• What’s one little act of kindness I could do today?
• What’s one little random act of kindness someone has extended to me?
• How does my art fuel my personal growth?
• What’s one dull thing that I can infuse with more meaning today?
• What’s a thing that I typically do absentmindedly that I will do mindfully today?
• What’s one thing I can do to improve my mental health today?
• What’s the most important thing I’ve learned from my favorite artist?
• What’s one thing I can do at the end of the day to nurture my creativity?
• What’s one fun thing I can do today that I haven’t done in a long time?
• What’s one new skill I want to master?
• How can I have more fun with my to-do list?
• What’s one thing I can do to ground myself next time I feel overwhelmed?
• How can I challenge myself today in a new way?
• How can I connect with nature today in a way I usually don’t?
• What would today look like if I were living the life of my dreams?
• If I had a one-time-use magic wand, what would be the one thing I would change about the world?
• If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would I choose?
• What words of affirmation does my creative spirit need to hear today?
• How can I show myself more compassion in my daily routine?
• What was my most important moment of self-discovery I’ve had in the past 5 years?
• What are some new materials I want to experiment with in my art?
• What’s one new creative technique I could try out?
• How can I better express myself through my artwork?
• What art themes do I want to explore more?
• What piece of creative advice would I give my younger self as an artist?
• My worst fear about my relationship with creativity is…
• How can I become more professional as an artist?
• What’s one achievable goal I can set for myself as an artist?
• How can negative emotions help me create more beautiful art?
• What does my art mean to me?
• How can I infuse more meaning into my practice?
• What’s the most important thing my inner critic wants me to know about my art?
• How can I practice self-love through my art?
• How can I bring a moment of joy or insight to one person today through my art?
• What new activity can I do today to spark fresh ideas?
• What’s something new I want to learn in my own life that can also elevate my art?
• Who could I talk with today to get my creative juices flowing again?
• What piece of art can I re-do, but from a completely different point of view?
• If I were to explain my main creative obstacle to a 10-year-old, and really wanted them to understand it, how would I explain it?
• If my best friend would face the same challenge I now face, how would I advise him?
• How can I foster a more creative environment for myself to stay productive as an artist?
• What was the most beautiful audience reaction I’ve ever gotten for my art?
• What can I learn from the reaction I’ve gotten last time I shared my art with someone else?
• How can I set better boundaries around my creative time?
• If I could give my artwork a superpower, what would it be?
• How can I protect myself from emotional drama so it doesn’t distract me from my creative purpose?
• How can I transform any emotional energy into creative flow?
• How do I find the right balance between my personal and my creative life?
• What’s a better way to foster both my creativity and my mental health?
• Which words do I need to hear most when I doubt my own creative potential?
• How can I free myself from fear of being judged while I create?
• How can I protect my creative practice from going off the rails because of excessive self-criticism?
• How can I build greater creative confidence?
• What’s one new and beautiful way to celebrate my creative progress?

I hope you find these useful in your daily practice.

The benefits of using morning pages prompts

It just makes kickstarting my morning journaling routine easier when I have a prompt at hand, especially when you’re blocked creatively . But you absolutely don’t need to use them—and on some days I don’t.

There’s also something beautiful about having daily journal prompts since they give you a thematic consistency and gently guide your mind to focus on something you consciously chose, and then make more time for what truly matters to you . It’s a little drop in the ocean of well-being that can help you improve self-awareness.

Who you are on any given day is very much related to the thoughts and feelings you have at the start of your day, and rather than let random social media posts clutter your mind.

And they can help you both come up with new ideas, as well as sort through and filter out the really good ones when you’re in a state of mind of feeling overwhelmed by too many ideas .

My free-writing journal entries are more interesting and fun than when I used to keep a gratitude journal, which sometimes was great, but many times also felt more forced and artificial than having a creative journal .

There’s really no limit to writing prompts when it comes to your journaling practice, and there’s no wrong way of going about it. It’s all about conducting a brain dump—to get thoughts that are stealthily hovering around in the various corners of your mind out into the light of day through stream of consciousness writing.

That’s the power of these morning journal prompts: you can do what you want with them. And if you make it a daily habit, you’ll feel more free to experiment, because you won’t stress too much about the significance of any particular writing session.

Do you have any favorite prompts? Share them in the comments!

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• 20 min read

Morning Pages And The Power of Morning Journaling: 37 Morning Journal Prompts to Kickstart Your Day

Journaling has been around for centuries and for good reason. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can provide clarity and insight into your inner world. Many people choose to journal at night, before bed, to reflect on their busy day and wind down for sleep. However, there's another way to practice journaling in the morning that can be equally as powerful: morning pages and morning journaling.

A morning journaling routine is a daily practice of writing in a journal first thing in the morning before beginning your day. It's a time to set intentions, clear your mind, and start your day positively. In this article, we'll explore the concept of morning journaling, how it differs from daily journaling, and the benefits it can provide. We'll also offer 37 morning and journal writing prompts to help kickstart your day and get your creative juices flowing.

What is a Morning Journaling Routine?

As mentioned, a morning journaling routine is a daily practice of writing in a journal first thing in the morning. The purpose of this routine is to clear your mind of clutter and negativity, allowing for more creativity and productivity throughout the day. It's a way to set intentions for the day, reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and gain insight into yourself.

One of the most popular forms of morning journaling is "Morning Pages," a concept developed by Julia Cameron in her book "The Artist's Way." Morning Pages is a practice of writing three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing first thing in the morning every day. The idea is to clear your mind of clutter, negative thoughts, and negativity before beginning your day, allowing for more creativity and productivity.

However, Morning Pages are just one type of morning journaling. There are many benefits and ways to approach morning journaling, and each person may find a different method that works best for them. Some people prefer to set specific intentions for the day, while others may reflect on their dreams from the night before. The key is to find a morning routine that works for you and stick with it.

Why Should I Journal In the Morning?

Starting your day off with a morning journaling practice can be incredibly beneficial for your overall mental and emotional health. Not only does it provide an outlet for self-reflection and emotional processing, but it also encourages positive thinking and sets you up with clear intentions for the day.

One of the primary benefits of morning journaling is its ability to help clear the mind. Writing down our thoughts and feelings each morning can be a powerful way to release any lingering negativity or toxicity from our minds before beginning the day. This can be especially helpful when we're feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

In addition to clearing the mind, morning journaling can help us gain insight into ourselves by reflecting on our thoughts and feelings. By doing so, we gain a better understanding of what drives us, which can lead us to make better decisions in life and approach challenges with greater ease and creativity.

When it comes to getting started with morning journaling, one of the biggest challenges is carving out time to do it each day. To make it easier, start small - just five minutes is enough time for you to record your thoughts and set your intentions for the day ahead. Additionally, having specific prompts (like those listed above) makes it easier to get your daily journal habit started - all you need to do is pick one prompt as a jumping-off point.

Another great way to fit journaling into your routine is by forming a habit around it - try making it part of your daily morning routine (like brushing your teeth) so that it becomes automatic over time. Also, consider creative ways of incorporating journaling into other activities - while exercising or during breakfast- which are great times to practice self-reflection or goal-setting before starting your day!

Overall, there are countless benefits associated with starting each morning with a few moments of intentional reflection and mindfulness. identifyIt's one of the most critical yet underrated habits for maintaining good mental health; permit yourself to make this small investment in yourself each day! You'll be glad you did once you begin experiencing its positive impacts on your well-being.

How is Morning Journaling Different from Daily Journaling?

Daily journaling, as the name implies, can be done at any time throughout the day. It can be used to reflect on specific events or experiences, such as a conversation with a friend or a challenging work project. Daily journaling can provide insight into your thoughts and feelings, but it's not necessarily focused on setting intentions for the end of the day or clearing your mind of clutter.

Morning journaling, on the other hand, is specifically focused on setting intentions for the day and clearing your mind of negativity. It's a time to reflect on the past day, your thoughts, and any negative feelings, but it's also a time to look forward and decide how to approach the day ahead. Morning journaling can be incredibly powerful, as it sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps you approach challenges with more ease and creativity.

What Is The Difference Between Morning Pages And a Morning Journaling Routine?

While morning pages and morning journaling may seem similar at first glance, they are actually quite distinct practices with different benefits. Morning Pages are a free-form writing practice developed by author Julia Cameron as part of her "Artist's Way" book. The procedure involves setting aside time each day to write three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts to process any lingering negativity or toxicity from the mind.

In contrast, a morning journaling routine encompasses a broader range of activities, such as setting intentions for the day or reflecting on feelings or events from the previous day. Unlike morning pages, which involve only free-form writing, journaling can include other self-reflection methods, such as gratitude journals, visualization exercises, and thought prompts.

Both practices have their own benefits, and it is up to the individual to determine which works best for them. Morning pages can help process difficult emotions or release pent-up stress and negativity before beginning the day ahead. Meanwhile, journaling in the early hours offers more structure and focus, allowing us to gain deeper insights into our thoughts, feelings, and motivations through reflection on specific topics or themes.

Do Morning Pages Have to Be at Least Three Pages Long?

It's commonly believed that Morning Pages have to be at least three pages long, but this isn't necessarily true. The key is to keep writing until you feel like your thoughts are out on paper and you have reached a point of clarity. Some days, this might take three pages, while other days, you may write only one or two. The important thing is to keep writing until you feel like you have cleared your mind of clutter and negativity.

How Long Does it Take to Experience the Benefits of Morning Journaling?

Like any new habit, it can take some time to experience the benefits of morning journaling. However, many people notice a difference in mood and productivity within just a few days. By setting intentions for the day and clearing your mind of negativity, you're setting yourself up for success. You're approaching life goals and challenges with a clear mind and positive attitude, which can make all the difference in how you approach your day.

How Can You Start Your Morning Reflection, and How Does It Help Your Daily Life?

Starting a morning journaling routine is easier than you might think. The first step is to find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. You may choose to light a candle or do some light stretching to help relax and focus your mind. Then, grab your journal and begin writing.

If you're unsure where to start, try setting an intention for the day. This could be as simple as "I intend to approach today with a positive attitude" or something more specific, like "I intend to finish that work project by noon." Setting intentions can help you approach the day with purpose and focus on positive things.

Another way to start your morning reflection is to reflect on your dreams from the night before. Dreams can often provide insight into our inner world and mental health, and reflecting on them can help you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts and feelings.

Morning journaling can help you in your daily professional life by setting the tone for the rest of your day. By starting your day with a clear mind and positive attitude, you're more likely to approach challenges and creatively. Morning journaling can also provide a sense of calm and peace, which can be especially important during it'llstress or uncertainty.

Another benefit of a morning journaling practice is that it can help you gain insight into yourself. By reflecting on your thoughts and feelings each morning, you can see patterns and gain a deeper understanding of what drives you. This self-awareness can be incredibly powerful, allowing you to make better decisions and approach life don't.

Choose A Morning Journal Prompt to Kickstart Your Day

If you're looking for someyou'reration to get started with morning journaling, we've compiled a list of 37 morning journaling prompt prompts to help you start writing and get your creative juices flowing. Feel free to tweak or modify these prompts to suit your needs.

1. What am I grateful for today?

Taking time to appreciate the good things in life can help us cultivate a sense of gratitude and perspective on our blessings. Expressing gratitude allows us to shift our focus away from negative thoughts and emotions, allowing us to start each day with an attitude of appreciation and contentment. This can be done through intentional reflection or even just mentally noting something we are thankful for - doing so can have significant positive effects on our mental well-being.

2. What are my goals for the day/week/month?

Clarifying your intentions and goals for the day, week, or month can help you stay focused and motivated throughout your endeavors. Having a clear plan in mind gives you a sense of direction, aiding you in breaking down complex tasks into more minor, more achievable actions. Additionally, setting goals can help structure your daily routine and keep you accountable for achieving them.

3. What are some challenges I anticipate facing today, and how can I overcome them?

Anticipating potential obstacles is one of the best strategies for avoiding roadblocks. Taking some time to consider what could potentially go wrong helps you better prepare by coming up with solutions that address those issues before they arise. Being mindful of such challenges also gives us a greater sense of control over our lives, which can lead to greater resilience when dealing with adversity.

4. What's on my mind right now that I must let go of?

It is important to learn how to recognize negative thoughts or feelings that do not serve us before they become too consuming or damaging - letting go of these mental blocks allows us to move forward more easily with our day-to-day lives without getting stuck in prolonged rumination or distressful states. Taking some time each morning to consciously practice releasing any lingering negative energy can help us begin each new day with an open heart, ready for fresh experiences and opportunities ahead.

5. Write a letter to yourself expressing kindness and compassion.

Writing down kind words or affirmations is a practical approach to boosting self-love and confidence while helping create stronger foundations for inner peace and resilience when dealing with hard times. Writing letters like these helps remind ourselves that we are worthy of love, kindness, and understanding - small reminders like these throughout the day have been known to increase overall happiness levels significantly.

6. What was my dream last night, and what does it mean to me?

Dreams can be significant - understanding the symbolism and meaning of our dreams can lead to powerful realizations and insights, as well as help us better understand ourselves and how we interact with the world around us. Taking time each morning to recall don'tvivid or engaging dreams that stood out can often lead to discoveries about ourselves that we might not have noticed before.

7. What's something I'm looking forward to today?

Focusing on things that excite us is an effective way of utilizing our energy productively. Having something positive to look forward to during the day helps increase motivation and keeps us engaged in whatever task lies ahead. Additionally, it is important to recognize small wins throughout the day - doing so allows us to more consciously appreciate the successes in life, no matter how big or small they may be.

8. What's something I'm anxious or nervous about, and how can I address it?

Anxiety can be crippling at times - but learning how to identify triggers and manage those feelings when they arise is incredibly important for our mental well-being. When feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts or emotions, taking some time for mindfulness or relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help clear your mind and bring your focus back into focus on positivity. Additionally, discussing your concerns with a trusted friend or family member can provide valuable insight for overcoming these anxieties.

9. What's something I want to learn or explore today?

It is always rewarding to learn new skills or gain knowledge - doing so allows us to continually grow and expand our horizons, whether through reading a book, exploring a new topic, or taking up a craft or skill. Setting aside it'stime each day dedicated to learning or exploration helps increase our curiosity and can help spark creativity in other aspects of life.

10. Write a love letter to someone you care about.

Writing letters expressing love and appreciation towards someone is a compelling way of not only strengthening relationships with those around us but also providing us with the opportunity for self-reflection on how we interact with those we care about most. Even reaching out through small kind words now and then is an effective way of reminding our dear ones how much they mean to us and deepening the bond between both parties.

11. What would I do if I had an extra hour in the day?

With an extra hour each day, there are endless possibilities for how to make the most of that time - whether it be investing in a new hobby, exploring a new city or culture, taking up a new class, getting more sleep, or even just spending some well-deserved time with loved ones. Whatever it may be, making use of these precious moments, however they may manifest themselves, can ultimately lead us to discover something more about ourselves and provide us with valuable experiences that otherwise might have gone unnoticed.

12. How can I find joy in the small things?

Finding joy in the small things is all about perspective and recognizing that life is made up of joyful moments, no matter how big or small they may seem. Start by taking some time every day to appreciate the little positive events that occur - whether it be taking a break from work to enjoy a cup of tea, getting lost in a good book, or simply stopping for a few minutes to take notice of a beautiful sunset. All these simple moments can bring us immense joy and remind us just how precious life is.

13. How can I nurture my relationships?

Nurturing relationships is critical to fostering meaningful connections with people we care about. One way to do this is by taking the time to listen and be actively present in conversations with others - ensuring you are both heard and heard in return. Other ways to foster meaningful connections could include writing letters, sending messages of appreciation, planning activities together, or simply setting aside quality time to catch up on each other’s lives. Whateverother's be, investing in your relationships is critical to ensuring they are healthy and mutually beneficial for everyone involved.

14. How can I practice self-care?

Self-care is an integral part of leading a healthy, balanced life. It involves taking the time to check in with yourself and identify what activities or changes you can make to prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health. This could include anything from setting aside time to do something you enjoy, such as reading or walking, to engaging in relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. Additionally, it’s important to remember that self-care doesn’t have to be comdoesn'td - simply taking some deep breaths or learning to say no when necessary are also great ways of looking after oneself.

15. How can I become more organized?

Organization is an essential skill that helps us stay on top of our tasks both in and outside the workplace. The first step towards becoming more organized is to identify what activities need attention and create an action plan that outlines achievable goals and timelines—Additionally, being proactive rather than reactive means keeping track of meetings, deadlines, and other important events by creating lists or using tools like digital calendars and reminder apps. Finally, don’t forget the impordon't of planning; this will help reduce stress levels and ensure you’re always on top oyou'regs!

16. How can I get motivated?

Getting motivated is all about finding what drives you personally - whether by setting meaningful goals for yourself or rewarding yourself for small achievements along the way. Additionally, focusing on the positives instead of getting hung up on negative experiences can help keep motivation levels high - remember that success comes from taking small steps over larger strides! Lastly, ensure that any goal we'veis realistic and achievable so you don’t get overwhelmed or demotivated.

17. How can I improve my communication skills?

Improving communication skills requires dedication, practice, and an understanding of how effective communication works between individuals. Start by honing your active listening skills - focus on responding in a supportive manner without jumping to conclusions quickly.

18. How can I improve my problem-solving skills?

Problem-solving is a skill that can be developed and improved over time with practice. When faced with a problem, the first step is to identify the root cause and make sure the scope of the issue is clear. Once the scope is established, brainstorm potential solutions by breaking down the challenge into smaller tasks and exploring viable options. Additionally, it helps to understand possible challenges arising from " solutions before making any decisions. Lastly, reflect on how effective your chosen solution was so that you can adjust your approach for future issues.

19. How can I be more creative?

Creativity is an essential skill that can be developed through practice. Start by exploring new topics and interests, as this will help you build an understanding of a variety of subjects and ideas. Additionally, don't be afraid to try don'things and make mistakes - sometimes, the best solutions come from taking a risk! Other ways to increase your creativity include reading widely, working with others, or even walking in nature - the possibilities are endless!

20. How can I stay motivated in tough times?

Staying motivated during tough times requires resilience, determination, and self-belief. First, it’s essential to remember that no situation is permanent - what works now may not work forever, so flexibility is critical. Additionally, setting realistic goals for yourself and creating mini milestones can help keep your motivation levels up when faced with complex challenges. Finally, don’t forget to Find sources of motivation (such as hobbies or activities) that bring joy and positivity into your life. It is essential for staying focused and on track when times get tough.

21. How can I build better relationships?

Relationships require effort from both sides and an understanding that communication is vital. Start by being honest and open about your feelings, which will help the other person understand you better. Additionally, it’s essential to respect the uniqueness of others and take the time to listen to their stories - communicating with empathy will help build deeper connections. Furthermore, setting boundaries for yourself and others can be beneficial to protect each other's feelings, and we'll intentionally hope that everyone is on the same page. Finally, don’t forget to show appreciation for those around you - small acts of kindness go a long way in strengthening relationships over time.

22. How can I stay organized?

Being organized is essential for improving productivity and reducing stress levels. Firstly, create a plan or timeline of tasks that need to be done, whether daily or weekly, so you know exactly what needs to be accomplished at any given moment. Additionally, use folders or labels in your workspace (or even digitally) so that everything has its place - if something doesn't come, then make one! Lastly, find strategies that work best for you when it comes to keeping track of tasks; whether it’s settit'salarms or reminders on your phone or writing lists - do whatever works for you!

23. How can I boost my creativity?

Boosting your creativity requires taking time to explore and experiment with different ideas or activities. Start by creating a stimulating environment for yourself - this could be anywhere from nature to the local library! Also, don't be don'td to take risks or try unconventional approaches when it comes to problem-solving - pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is often essential for innovative thinking. Additionally, look into creative outlets such as music, art, or writing, as these activities can help stir up new ideas in your mind. Finally, practice makes perfect; push yourself to think outside the box and be creative every week - the more you do it, the easier it will become!

24. How can I become more productive?

The key to becoming more productive is finding effective strategies and sticking to them. This can include making a schedule of tasks for yourself, setting deadlines, and using tools such as calendars or reminders on your phone to ensure that you stay on track. Additionally, break your larger goals into smaller, more manageable pieces that you can focus on one at a time - this will make achieving them less intimidating. Finally, make sure to take breaks throughout the day and prioritize rest to maintain healthy energy levels!

25. How can I make a positive impact in my community?

Making a positive impact in your community starts by learning about the prevalent issues in your area and getting involved with local organizations or initiatives working to address them. You can also reach out to neighbors and other community members to see how you can assist. Finally, participate in community events such as clean-up days or fundraisers - these activities can help raise awareness for important causes and create tangible change for the betterment of your neighborhood!

26. How can I become more organized?

Organization starts with structure and consistency, so it is important to develop a system that works for you. Start by creating a daily routine or schedule and incorporate habits that will help keep you organized, such as making your bed every morning or tidying up your workspace before the end of each day. Additionally, learning how to prioritize tasks in order of importance can be helpful- this will allow you to stay on top of time-sensitive projects without feeling overwhelmed. Finally, make sure to have a designated spot for all of your belongings so that they don’t getdon't or misplaced!

27. In what ways can I reduce stress?

Stress can be managed in a few different ways - but the most effective way is to identify the root cause of your stress and address it directly. This may take some time and require you to practice self-care and introspection. Still, it is essential to determine the primary source of your anxiety so that you can manage it more effectively. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating nutritious food can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Lastly, engaging in activities such as mindfulness meditation or yoga can be beneficial in reducing stress levels.

28. How can I become more productive?

Productivity starts with setting clear goals and establishing a plan to achieve them. Try breaking down your tasks into small, manageable chunks that you can tackle daily. Additionally, try to limit distractions such as checking emails or scrolling through social media throughout the day - this will help you focus on what's eswhat'sl and get the most out of your time. Finally, make sure to take breaks! Schedule "mini-breaks" throughout the day to recharge and stay energized.

29. How can I improve my communication skills?

Improving your communication skills starts with practicing active listening. Take time to listen to what the other person is saying and respond thoughtfully with questions or follow-up statements. It's alsoIt'sortant to keep an open mind and consider their perspective, even if it differs from yours. Additionally, make sure to use clear and concise language when communicating - be as direct and specific in your language as possible so that you are better understood. Finally, make use of nonverbal cues when speaking - such as gestures and facial expressions - as these can help emphasize and clarify what you are trying to say.

30. How can I be better organized?

Good organization can help you save time and improve productivity. Start by creating a plan for what needs to get done each day, week, and month - this will provide structure and help you stay on track. It's alsoIt'spful to keep your space organized - whether at home or work – always try to keep things in their designated places; this way, it'll be easier to find them again when you need them. Finally, make sure to take advantage of digital tools such as calendars and task management apps – these can help you track tasks and remind yourself of upcoming deadlines so that nothing gets forgotten.

31. What's the best way to practice self-care?

Self-care is all about taking care of yourself and your mental well-being. To practice self-care, start by getting enough rest - aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night so that you can re-energize for the day ahead. Additionally, set aside time each day for activities that bring you joy, such as reading or listening to music – these will help keep you relaxed and focused. Finally, take time for yourself - carve out some “me time” each day when you do something just for yourself; this could be anything from a bubble bath to taking a walk outside.

32. How can I stay motivated in work or school?

Staying motivated in work or school requires discipline and focus. Start by breaking down large tasks into smaller chunks, which will help make them less overwhelming - this way, they'they'llasier to manage and complete. Additionally, create a reward system – establish mini rewards when reaching certain milestones so that therethere'sncentive to keep going; this could be anything from a small treat like your favorite coffee or a new outfit. Finally, stay connected with friends and family who can provide support when needed - it always helps to have people cheering you on!

33. How can I stay healthy at home?

Here are some ideas to ponder in your journal. Staying healthy at home starts with having good nutrition - eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in order to give your body the fuel it needs throughout the day; avoid processed foods as much as possibleto, and try cooking meals from scratch instead whenever possible. Additionally you'ryou'reing hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day – aim for 6-8 glasses daily if possible! Finally, make sure to move your body regularly; stick with an exercise routine that works best for you - whether it's it's or HIIT workouts – move those muscles at least thrice weekly to ensure you stay active and energized during quarantine life!

34. How can I reduce my stress levels?

Reducing stress starts by creating more balance in your life - find ways to prioritize relaxation, which may include meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, or even reading a book before bedtime each night. It's It's important to learn how to say ‘no’ quickly'hen needed – don't feel obligated to take on tasks that will overwhelm you or add unnecessary stress to your life. Finally, make it a point to spend quality time with family and friends essentially (if necessary) or in person – connecting with loved ones often helps us regain perspective and remind us why we're doing what we're doing in the first place!

35. What are some tips to improve my communication skills?

Improving your communication skills requires both practice and patience! Start by actively listening to the person you're speaking with – focus on what they're saying rather than thinking of how you'll respond next - this will help ensure that each conversation is meaningful. Additionally, watch your body language; maintaining good posture and actively engaging with whomever you're talking to will show them that you respect their opinion. Finally, avoid jumping to conclusions too quickly – take the time to hear what the other person is saying before responding; this way, any misunderstanding can be avoided!

36. How can I develop a healthier relationship with technology?

Developing a healthier relationship with technology starts by identifying your tech usage patterns – do you often feel overwhelmed or distracted by the endless notifications on your phone? Once you have which aspects of technology are causing trouble, create boundaries for yourself; this could mean adding time restrictions on specific apps and being mindful of how often you spend online. Additionally, make breaks throughout the day - take a few minutes away from your screens to focus on something else, whether reading or outdoor activity - this will help prevent burnout and keep you feeling refreshed!

37. How can I better manage my stress?

Managing your stress starts with identifying the underlying causes of your stress; do you often feel overwhelmed with work or personal commitments? Once you have identified the source of your stress, try to practice a few coping mechanisms to help alleviate it. This could include going for a walk outside or doing some form of meditation. Additionally, talk to someone about what's causing you distress; having an outlet will allow you to process and understand the situation better, helping you feel more confident in tackling it head-on. Lastly, take care of yourself - ensure you're getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy meals throughout the day – this will help keep your body and mind in good shape!

What Are The Benefits Of Morning Journal Prompts?

Morning journal prompts are a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. These prompts serve as a jumping-off point for your morning journaling routine, helping you to focus your thoughts and reflect on your feelings with intention. By using prompts, you can steer your journaling in a particular direction, whether it be focused on gratitude, goal-setting, or problem-solving.

One of the primary benefits of morning journal prompts is that they get your creative juices flowing. By providing a prompt to focus on, during morning journal time, you're giving yourself a starting point for your writing. This can be especially useful if you're feeling stuck or unmotivated. The prompts focus your thoughts and can help you uncover insights you may not have otherwise considered.

Another benefit of morning journal prompts is that they catalyze your journaling routine. While free-form journaling can be beneficial, having a specific writing prompt to focus on can structure a sense of direction and purpose to your writing. This structure can help you stay focused and committed to your journaling routine, even when you feel inspired.

Morning journal prompts can also help you gain deeper insights into yourself. By reflecting on specific themes or topics, you can gain a deeper understanding of your own life, thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This self-awareness can be incredibly powerful, allowing you to make better decisions and approach life with more intention.

Overall, the benefits of morning journal prompts are vast. By using daily writing prompts, you can jumpstart your morning journaling routine, getting your creative juices flowing and providing structure to your writing. These prompts can help you gain deeper insights into yourself and approach your day with more intention and purpose.

Morning journaling can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. By setting intentions for the day and clearing your mind of negativity, you're setting yourself up for success. Whether you choose to use Morning Pages or other forms of morning journaling, the key is to make it a daily practice and stick with it. By doing so, you'll notice the benefits in your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. Use these morning journaling prompts as inspiration to kickstart your day and get your creative juices flowing.

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A Guide to Morning Journaling + 50 Prompts

Morning journaling is a powerful practice that can help to start your day off on the right foot. Not only does it give you a chance to process any thoughts or emotions that may be weighing on you, but it can also help you to clarify your goals and intentions for the day ahead. Whether you’re new to journaling or have been doing it for years, this guide is designed to provide you with 50 thought-provoking prompts that you can use to kickstart your morning journaling routine. So grab a pen and paper, find a quiet spot, and let’s get started!

What is morning journaling?

Morning journaling is a practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas every morning. It is a self-reflective tool that allows you to start your day with a clear mind and set intentions for the day ahead. This practice can help you boost your creativity, gain clarity on your goals, and release any negative emotions that may be holding you back.

To begin morning journaling, set aside a few minutes each morning to write down your thoughts and feelings. You may choose to write about your dreams, your plans for the day, or anything else that comes to mind. You can also ask yourself questions such as “What am I grateful for today?” or “What can I do to make today a great day?”.

The key to successful morning journaling is consistency. Make it a habit to write every morning, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Over time, you’ll notice that morning journaling becomes a valuable part of your daily routine.

Benefits of morning journaling

Morning journaling is a powerful tool that can help people in numerous ways. One of the most significant benefits is that journaling allows individuals to clarify their thoughts and emotions, providing a sense of calm and focus at the start of the day. Writing down goals and priorities can also help individuals stay motivated and focused, leading to greater productivity throughout the day.

Journaling can also be a tool for reflection and self-discovery. By reflecting on past experiences and emotions, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. This can lead to increased self-awareness and improved mental health.

Additionally, morning journaling can serve as a creative outlet for those who enjoy writing or drawing, allowing them to express themselves in a safe and private space. It can also be a form of gratitude practice, encouraging individuals to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and start their day with a positive mindset.

Overall, morning journaling is a simple yet powerful habit that can provide numerous benefits for individuals seeking to improve their mental health and overall well-being.

How to Get Started with morning journaling

Morning journaling is a powerful tool that can help you organize your thoughts, boost your creativity and set the tone for the day ahead. Here are some steps you can follow to get started with morning journaling:

1. Set aside a specific time to journal every morning. This could be right after you wake up or during breakfast.

2. Choose a designated journal or notebook for your morning writing.

3. Begin by writing down your thoughts, feelings, and any dreams or goals you might have for the day. Don’t worry about making your writing perfect, just focus on getting your thoughts down on paper.

4. Consider using prompts to guide your writing. You can find prompts online or create your own based on your personal interests and goals.

5. Try to make morning journaling a consistent habit. By setting aside time every morning to write, you’ll begin to see the positive benefits of this practice.

Some Practical Tips for morning journaling

Morning journaling can be a powerful tool for setting the tone of your day and cultivating self-awareness. Here are some practical tips and instructions to get started:

1. Set aside a consistent time and place each morning for journaling. This can help establish a routine and make it easier to prioritize journaling as a daily habit.

2. Choose a journal that you love and feel inspired to write in. Consider investing in a quality notebook or journal with thick, sturdy pages that won’t bleed through.

3. Begin each journal entry with a reflection on your current mental and emotional state. This can help you identify patterns and triggers for stress or anxiety.

4. Practice gratitude by listing a few things you are thankful for each day. This can help shift your mindset towards positivity and abundance.

5. Write down your goals and intentions for the day. This can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day.

6. End each entry with a positive affirmation or mantra. This can help cultivate a sense of self-love and confidence.

Remember, morning journaling is a personal practice and there are no rules or right or wrong ways to do it. The most important thing is to make it a consistent habit and allow yourself time and space to reflect and grow.

25 Helpful morning journaling Prompts

Introduction: Morning journaling is a great way to start your day off on the right foot. By setting intentions, reflecting on the previous day, and expressing gratitude, you can improve your overall well-being and productivity.

25 Journaling Prompts for Morning Journaling:

1. What are three things you are grateful for today? 2. What did you dream about last night? 3. How can you make today a positive and productive day? 4. What are your top three priorities for the day? 5. Who are three people you appreciate and why? 6. What are you most excited about today? 7. What are your biggest challenges today and how can you overcome them? 8. What is one thing you can do today to improve your health and wellness? 9. What is one thing you love about yourself? 10. What is one thing you can do today to show kindness to someone? 11. What is one personal goal you have for the day? 12. How can you make the most of your time today? 13. What is one thing you can learn or improve on today? 14. What is one thing you are afraid of and how can you overcome it? 15. How can you make someone else’s day better? 16. What is one thing you can do to relieve stress today? 17. What is one thing you can do to cultivate joy and happiness today? 18. How can you be more present in the moment today? 19. What is one thing you can do to show appreciation for your life today? 20. What is one thing you can do to improve your personal relationships today? 21. What is one thing you are looking forward to today? 22. How can you make the most out of your work or school day today? 23. What is one thing you can do to improve your financial situation today? 24. What is one thing you can do to step outside of your comfort zone today? 25. How can you create more positivity and light in the world today?

Don’t miss our ultimate list of journal prompts .

Get Started on Your Journaling Journey

In conclusion, starting a morning journaling practice can have a profound impact on our daily lives. Whether we use it as a tool for self-reflection, goal-setting or creative expression, journaling can help us gain clarity, stay focused and manage stress. By following the tips and prompts outlined in this blog post, we can establish a consistent and meaningful journaling routine that supports our personal growth and well-being. So, grab a notebook, a pen and start exploring the power of morning journaling today!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

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A Guide to Journaling for Healing + 50 Healing Prompts

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50 Morning Journal Prompts to Start Your Day

Starting your day with morning journal prompts can be a transformative way to cultivate self-awareness, set intentions, and tap into your creativity. By taking a few minutes each morning to reflect and write, you can bring clarity, focus, and inspiration into your day.

In this article, we will explore 50 morning journal prompts that will help you kickstart your mornings and unlock your inner thoughts and ideas. Whether you’re new to journaling or a seasoned writer, these prompts will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

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50 Morning Journal Prompts to Start Your Day with Clarity and Inspiration

1. What am I grateful for today?

Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to shift your mindset and start your day on a positive note. Write down three things you’re grateful for and why they bring you joy.

2. What are my top three priorities for the day?

Identify the most important tasks or goals you want to accomplish today. Writing them down will help you stay focused and organized throughout the day.

3. How do I want to feel today?

Consider the emotions you want to cultivate today. Write down how you desire to feel and visualize yourself embodying those emotions throughout the day.

4. What affirmations can I use to empower myself today?

Affirmations are powerful statements that can shift your mindset and boost your confidence. Write down three affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them to yourself throughout the day.

5. What is one thing I can do to take care of myself today?

Self-care is crucial for your well-being. Identify one activity or practice that will nourish your mind, body, or soul today.

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6. What is one fear or limiting belief I can release today?

Identify a fear or limiting belief that is holding you back and write it down. Then, counteract it with a positive affirmation or a new empowering belief.

7. What is something I can do to show kindness to others today?

Acts of kindness not only benefit others but also bring joy and fulfillment to your own life. Write down a small act of kindness you can do for someone today.

8. What lessons can I learn from yesterday’s challenges?

Reflect on any challenges or setbacks you experienced yesterday. Identify the lessons you can learn from those experiences and how you can grow from them.

9. What is one goal I can set for myself today?

Setting daily goals helps you stay focused and motivated. Write down one specific goal you want to achieve today and outline the steps you will take to accomplish it.

10. How can I incorporate more joy into my day?

Consider activities or experiences that bring you joy and happiness. Write down one thing you can do today to infuse more joy into your day.

11. What is one thing I can let go of today?

Letting go of things that no longer serve you is liberating. Identify one thing, whether it’s a habit, thought pattern, or physical object, that you’re ready to release.

12. What is one positive change I can make in my routine today?

Identify one aspect of your daily routine that you would like to improve or enhance. Write down a small change you can make today to align with your desired routine.

13. What are three things I love about myself?

Self-love is essential for personal growth and well-being. Write down three things you love about yourself and acknowledge your unique qualities and strengths.

14. How can I invite more creativity into my day?

Creativity fuels inspiration and innovation. Write down one creative activity or project you can engage in today, whether it’s painting, writing, or brainstorming new ideas.

15. What are three things I want to accomplish this week?

Setting weekly goals helps you stay focused on the bigger picture. Write down three meaningful goals you want to achieve by the end of the week.

16. What is something new I want to learn or explore today?

Continual learning is essential for personal growth. Write down a topic, skill, or subject you want to learn more about or explore today.

17. How can I practice mindfulness and be present today?

Mindfulness allows you to fully engage with the present moment. Write down one mindfulness practice you can incorporate into your day, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.

18. What is one decision I can make today that aligns with my values?

Living in alignment with your values brings a sense of fulfillment and authenticity. Identify one decision you can make today that aligns with your core values.

19. What is something that inspired me recently?

Inspiration can come from various sources, such as books, movies, or conversations. Write down something that recently inspired you and reflect on why it resonated with you.

20. How can I bring more balance into my life today?

Balancing various aspects of your life is key to overall well-being. Write down one action you can take today to create more balance in your life, whether it’s setting boundaries or prioritizing self-care.

21. What is one step I can take towards my long-term goals today?

Long-term goals require consistent effort and action. Write down one step you can take today that aligns with your long-term goals.

22. What is one thing I appreciate about the world around me?

Gratitude for the world around you fosters a sense of connection and appreciation. Write down one aspect of nature, a person, or a global event that you appreciate.

23. How can I bring more simplicity into my day?

Simplicity allows you to focus on what truly matters. Write down one activity or area of your life where you can simplify and streamline today.

24. What is one way I can give back to my community today?

Contributing to your community creates a positive impact and a sense of belonging. Write down one way you can give back to your community today, whether it’s volunteering or supporting a local cause.

25. What is one thing that brings me peace and calm?

Peace and calm are essential for your well-being. Write down one activity or practice that brings you peace, such as reading, walking in nature, or practicing yoga.

More Journaling Prompts for Morning

26. How can I embrace change and adaptability today?

Change is inevitable, and embracing it fosters personal growth. Write down one area in your life where you can practice adaptability and embrace change today.

27. What is one step I can take to improve my health today?

Health is wealth, and small actions can have a big impact. Write down one healthy habit or action you can incorporate into your day, such as drinking more water, taking a walk, or preparing a nutritious meal.

28. What is one limiting belief I can let go of about myself?

Identify a belief that is holding you back from reaching your full potential. Write it down, then challenge and replace it with a new empowering belief.

29. What is one thing that makes me feel alive and vibrant?

Feeling alive and vibrant fuels your energy and enthusiasm. Write down one activity, hobby, or experience that makes you feel truly alive and vibrant.

30. How can I infuse more love into my interactions today?

Love is a powerful force that can transform relationships and experiences. Write down one way you can express love and kindness in your interactions with others today.

31. What is one goal I can set for personal growth today?

Personal growth is an ongoing journey. Write down one specific goal you want to achieve today that contributes to your personal development.

32. How can I practice forgiveness and let go of resentments today?

Holding onto resentments weighs you down and hinders your progress. Write down one person or situation you’re ready to forgive and let go of today.

33. What is one book, podcast, or article I can explore today?

Expand your knowledge and perspective by diving into inspiring content. Write down one book, podcast, or article that you want to explore today.

34. How can I nurture my relationships today?

Meaningful connections enrich our lives. Write down one action or gesture you can take today to nurture and strengthen your relationships.

35. What is one area of my life where I can practice self-compassion today?

Self-compassion allows for self-acceptance and self-care. Write down one area of your life where you can practice self-compassion today.

36. How can I incorporate more laughter and joy into my day?

Laughter is a powerful tool for stress relief and overall well-being. Write down one activity or experience that brings laughter and joy into your day.

37. What is one boundary I can set for myself today?

Setting boundaries protects your time, energy, and well-being. Write down one boundary you want to set for yourself today, whether it’s saying no to an unnecessary commitment or prioritizing self-care.

38. What is one skill or talent I want to develop further?

Continuous learning and growth are essential for personal development. Write down one skill or talent you want to develop further and outline how you can take steps towards it today.

39. How can I embrace and express my authentic self today?

Authenticity allows you to show up as your true self in the world. Write down one way you can embrace and express your authentic self today.

40. What is one project or goal I want to make progress on today?

Identify one project or goal that you want to make progress on today. Write down the specific steps you can take to move closer to its completion.

41. How can I invite more mindfulness into my daily routines?

Mindfulness can be practiced in various aspects of your daily life. Write down one routine or activity where you can infuse more mindfulness today.

42. What is one inspiring quote or mantra I can reflect on today?

Quotes and mantras can provide guidance and inspiration. Write down one quote or mantra that resonates with you and keep it as a guiding light throughout the day.

43. How can I create more space for reflection and solitude today?

Reflection and solitude allow for deeper introspection and self-discovery. Write down one way you can create more space for reflection and solitude today, whether it’s through meditation or taking a quiet walk.

44. What is one step I can take towards a dream or passion of mine?

Dreams and passions are meant to be pursued. Write down one action or step you can take today to move closer to a dream or passion of yours.

45. How can I practice patience and trust in the process today?

Patience and trust are essential qualities for personal growth. Write down one area in your life where you can practice patience and trust in the process today.

46. What is one way I can declutter and create more physical or mental space today?

Decluttering creates space for clarity and focus. Write down one area in your physical or mental space that you want to declutter today.

47. How can I cultivate a positive mindset and shift my perspective today?

Your mindset shapes your experiences and outcomes. Write down one way you can cultivate a positive mindset and shift your perspective today.

48. What is one adventure or new experience I can embark on today?

Embracing new experiences fosters personal growth and expands your horizons. Write down one adventure or new experience you can embark on today, whether it’s trying a new cuisine or exploring a new neighborhood.

49. How can I practice self-reflection and learn from my experiences today?

Self-reflection allows for deeper self-awareness and growth. Write down one way you can practice self-reflection today, such as journaling or engaging in meaningful conversations.

50. What is one thing I love about myself and my journey so far?

Celebrate your journey and acknowledge your growth. Write down one thing you love about yourself and reflect on the progress you’ve made.

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Morning journaling is a powerful practice that can transform your mindset and set a positive tone for the day ahead. By engaging with these 50 morning journal prompts, you’ll cultivate self-awareness, set intentions, and nurture your creativity. Remember, the key is consistency and allowing yourself the time and space to reflect and explore. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that morning journaling can bring, and watch as it positively impacts your life.

1. What is the best time to practice morning journaling?

Morning journaling is most effective when done shortly after waking up. It allows you to set a positive tone for the day ahead and set clear intentions.

2. How long should I spend on morning journaling?

The duration of morning journaling is flexible and depends on your preferences. Aim for at least 10-15 minutes to allow for meaningful reflection and writing.

3. Can I use these prompts for evening journaling as well?

Absolutely! These prompts can be adapted for evening journaling to reflect on the day’s experiences, lessons learned, and gratitude.

4. Should I write by hand or type my morning journal entries?

The choice between handwriting or typing your morning journal entries is personal. Both methods have their benefits. Handwriting can foster a deeper connection with your thoughts, while typing allows for easier editing and organization.

5. How can I stay consistent with morning journaling?

Creating a habit requires commitment. Set a specific time and place for your morning journaling practice, and make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Start with small, achievable goals to build momentum and gradually increase your commitment.

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300 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids: Story Starters, Journal Prompts & Ideas

Are you a parent or teacher? Here are 300 fun and creative writing prompts for kids to spark the imagination of young writers everywhere. Use these kids writing ideas as journaling prompts, story starters or just for fun!

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It’s never too early to start writing, and so we’ve created this fun list of 300 creative kids writing prompts for teacher and parents to use.

You’ll love these fun ideas for kids writing prompts to use as creative sparks to get young imaginations writing in no time!

These are perfect to use as kids journal writing prompts, as short story writing prompts, or just for exercises to help students and children of all ages tap into their creativity. Maybe your kids will write an essay, maybe a poem, or maybe even a whole book!

Whether you are a teacher or parent looking to inspire your kids to write, or maybe even an adult who would like to practice writing with a more playful and young-hearted approach, I hope you find these creative writing prompts inspiring!

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

The Ultimate List of 300 Fun & Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

#1. Imagine a giant box is delivered to your front doorstep with your name on it. What’s inside and what happens when you open it?

#2. Write a short story about what it might be like if you woke up one morning with a mermaid tail.

#3. Which is better, winter or summer? Write about the reasons why you think winter or summer is better.

#4. Write about what would it be like if you had an alligator as a pet.

#5. If you had $1,000, what would you buy and why?

#6. Write a story using these 5 words: apple, train, elephant, paper, banjo

#7. What do you want be when you grow up and why?

#8. Who is your favorite person on the planet? What do you like most about that person?

#9. If you could have any secret super power, what would you want it to be and why?

#10. Write about 3 places you would like to travel someday. What do these three places have in common?

#11. Write about a time you felt really happy. What happened? What made you feel happy?

#12. Imagine what would happen if someone shrunk you down to be only 1″ tall. How would your life change?

#13. If you were in charge of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a happier place?

#14. Write a story about what it would be like to climb to the very top of the highest mountain in the world.

#15. If you were in charge of planning the school lunch menu, what foods would you serve each day?

#16. What are some of your favorite animals? What do you like about them?

#17. Imagine that dogs take over the world. What do they make the humans do?

#18. Write a story about flying to outer space and discovering a new planet.

#19. You are a mad scientist and have invented a new vegetable. What is it called? What does it look like? What does it taste like? Most importantly: Is it safe to eat?

#20. You go to school one morning to discover your best friend has been turned into a frog by an evil witch! How do you help your friend?

#21. Describe what it is like when trees lose all of their leaves in the autumn season.

#22. Write about your favorite sport and why you like it so much.

#23. Imagine what it might be like to live on a boat all the time and write about it.

#24. If you had one wish, what would it be?

#25. Write about what you might do if you have the super power to become invisible.

#26. You are walking through the forest when one of the trees starts talking to you. What does it say? What do you do?

#27. The weather forecast is calling for a blizzard in the middle of the summer. What do you do?

#28. What types of transportation will people have in the future?

#29. What were some of your favorite toys when you very little? Do you still enjoy playing with them?

#30. What would a day in your life be like if you were a movie star?

#31. Imagine you’ve invented a time machine! What year do you travel to?

#32. What are your favorite things to do over summer vacation?

#33. What is your favorite holiday and why?

#34. If you could meet any fictional character from a book, who would it be?

#35. You are writing a travel guide for kids visiting your city. What places do you think they should visit?

#36. What is a food you hate? Write about it!

#37. Imagine what it would be like if there was no electricity. What would be different in your daily routine?

#38. You are building a new city! What types of things do you think your city needs? How will you convince people to move to your new city?

#39. What is your favorite movie? Write your review of the movie and why you think people should watch it.

#40. Imagine you get a magic sweater for your birthday. What happens when you wear the sweater? What do you do with these new found magical powers?

#41. You are the security guard at the zoo and someone has stolen a rhinoceros! How do you track down the thief?

#42. You have been invited to have lunch with the queen. What foods do you eat and what topics do you and the queen discuss?

#43. If you could design a school uniform, what types of clothes would you suggest? What colors would they be?

#44. Imagine you are a reporter interviewing a celebrity about their life. What questions do you ask?

#45. You are running a lemonade stand. Describe the steps for how you make lemonade and the types of customers you see during the day.

#46. Write a story about being the ruler of an underwater world.

#47. Write an acrostic poem for the word “treehouse”.

#48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so tall it reaches up to the sky! Write about what happens when you decide to climb to the top. What do you discover?

#49. Imagine you look out the window and it is raining popsicles from the sky! Write a story about the experience.

#50. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?

#51. If you were on a spaceship, what would you be most excited about seeing?

#52. Do you have any pets at home? Write an essay about how you take care of your pets. If you do not have a pet, what type of pet might you like?

#53. Imagine you are opening a store that only sells items which are blue. What types of items do you sell?

#54. Have you ever lost something that is important to you? Were you able to find it?

#55. Write a story about a kid who is moving to a new school. How do you think they might feel?

#56. Rewrite the ending of your favorite fairy tale. For example, what would have happened if Cinderella never went to the ball?

#57. Have you ever forgotten to do your homework? What happened?

#58. Do you have a favorite song? Write about the type of music you like to listen to.

#59. Imagine your parents wake you up one morning to tell you they will take you to do anything you want to do for the whole day – you don’t even have to go to school or do your chores. What would you choose to do and why?

#60. Do you like amusement parks? What are some of your favorite rides?

#61. Write a story using these three words: detective, piano, and pizza.

#62. Have you ever been to the beach? Write about your favorite things to do. If you have never been to the beach, what would you like to do the first time you visit?

#63. Is there a favorite tv show you like to watch? Write about your favorite character and why they are your favorite.

#64. Write a poem using onomatopoeia , where the words you use are pronounced similar to the sound they make. For example, buzz, bark, sizzle, slam and pop.

#65. Have you ever had to stand in line to wait a long time for something? What did you do while you waited? How did you feel while waiting? How did you feel once the wait was over?

#66. Is it a good idea to keep ALL secrets a secret? Write about examples of when it is okay to spill a secret – and when it isn’t.

#67. Is there something you are good at doing? Write about your best strengths.

#68. What historical time period and location would you go back to live in if you could? Write about it!

#69. Write about 5 things you can do that are important for you to stay healthy and safe.

#70. Do you think thunderstorms are scary? Why or why not?

#71. What would you most like to learn over the next year? Think about things that interest you or questions you might have about the world and make a list!

#72. You are going on a trip to a jungle safari! What items do you pack in your suitcase?

#73. Imagine you are sitting at home one day and you hear someone shrieking in the living room they see a mouse in the house! Write a story about what might happen next.

#74. You are writing a letter to someone who is having a hard time making new friends at school. What do you write? What advice do you give them?

#75. Imagine you just met a magician – but their beloved rabbit who they pull out of a hat for all the tricks has been kidnapped! How do you help find the rabbit?

#76. Do you hear what I hear? Set a timer for 5 minutes and write about all of the sounds you hear in those 5 minutes.

#77. Imagine you go to get a haircut and they accidentally shave your head! How do you feel about that and what would you do?

#78. Do you find it easy to talk to people you don’t know? What are some ways you can start up a conversation with someone you have never met before?

#79. Are there any chores you have to do at home? What are they? What do you like – and not like – about each one?

#80. Open up a random book to any page. Write for 5 minutes about the first word you read.

#81. Pretend you are a writer for your city’s newspaper. Who would you like to interview for a news story and why?

#82. There are many fictional characters who live in unusual houses, such as the old woman who lived in a shoe. What kind of unusual house would you like to live in? Write about what it would be like to live in an unusual house!

#83. Write a list of 10 things you can do to practice kindness to others.

#84. Is there a homework subject you dread? Why do you not like getting homework in that subject?

#85. What is your favorite month of the year? Write about why you like it and some of your favorite things to do during that month.

#86. Imagine you are planning a surprise birthday party for someone. How do you keep it a surprise?

#87. Pretend you walked outside to find a sleeping dragon in the grass! Why is the dragon there? Is it a friendly dragon? What do you do? Write about it!

#88. What are you grateful for today and why?

#89. You were on your way to a very important event when you fell into a puddle. Now what?

#90. Have you ever watched a movie and didn’t like how it ended? Write what you think should happen instead.

#91. Can you answer this riddle from Alice in Wonderland ? How is a raven like a writing desk?

#92. Imagine you are the captain of a pirate ship. Write a diary entry for what your day was like.

#93. If you could start any type of business, what kind of business would you start? What types of products or services would you provide?

#94. Write a sequel to one of your favorite fairy tales. For example, what was Goldilocks’s next adventure after she left the bears?

#95. What is something you are afraid of? What helps you to feel less afraid of something? What would you say to a friend who feels scared to help them feel less afraid?

#96. Write a letter to your future self in 20 years.

#97. In addition to basic survival needs such as food, water, air and shelter, what are 3 things you would you need to be happy?

#98. If you could invent a robot of any type who could do anything you imagine, what types of things would you would have the robot to do?

#99. Which do like better? Apples or Oranges? How are they alike? How are they different?

#100. Why did the chicken cross the road? You are a detective and are assigned to the case. How do solve the mystery?

#101. Write instructions for how to make your favorite snack. Be sure you add your favorite tips and suggestions for how to select the best ingredients!

#102. Imagine you borrowed a friend’s favorite lucky pencil to help you pass a math test – but then it snapped in half! How will you ever tell the news to your friend?

#103. Look around the current room you are sitting in and choose 3 random objects that are nearby. Now write a story or poem that includes those three items!

#104. Write a letter to the author of a book you recently read and tell them what you liked most about the book.

#105. Ernest Hemingway is famous for writing a six word story. Can you write a story in just 6 words?

#106. What do you think will be the future for cell phones? Will people still use them in 25 years or will something else take its place?

#107. Do you want to go to college? Why or why not?

#108. Write a story or poem about a kitten who wanders off and gets lost. How does the kitten find its way home?

#109. Currently, it is required by law that kids go to school. Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

#110. If you could invent a new board game, what would it be called? How is it played? What are the rules? What makes it fun to play? Write about it!

#111. Imagine you come home to discover your entire bedroom is covered in ketchup! What on earth happened? What is your reaction? How do you clean everything up?

#112. What is something you learned today?

#113. Would you rather have a goldfish or shark as a pet?

#114. From A-Z: make a list of something for every letter of the alphabet.

#115. Have you ever gone fishing? If you have, did you like it? Why or why not? If you haven’t, do you think you might want to?

#116. What is one of the most important things you do each and every day?

#117. Write a story about Gretchen the Grouch, a girl who is always angry! Will she ever be happy? Why is she so grumpy all of the time?

#118. How do you feel when someone takes something of yours without asking? What is a good way to deal with it when that happens?

#119. Write a poem that starts with the word “if”.

#120. Write a story about a family of rabbits who live in the woods. What are some of the challenges they face?

#121. What clothes do you think are the most comfortable? What kind of clothes do you like to wear the most? What clothes do you NOT like to wear?

#122. Imagine there are no grocery stores and you must get your own food. What are some of the ways you find food? What types of things do you eat?

#123. What are 3 things you can do that are good for the environment?

#124. If you could meet any famous person today, who would you want to meet and why? What questions might you ask them?

#125. A tongue twister is a quick poem where many of the words start with the same letter and are similar in sound. For example, “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Try writing your own with this fun kids writing prompt!

#126. What is the first thing you think of when you hear or see the word green?

#127. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and achievements. What do you think makes someone a hero? Who are some of your heroes?

#128. What did you do during summer vacation last year? What do you want to do for summer vacation this year?

#129. Write a story about a super hero dog who saves the day! Who does the dog help and why?

#130. Would you rather live somewhere that is always cold, or somewhere that is always hot? Write about which one you would rather choose.

#131. Have you ever volunteered to help a charity? If so, write about the experience! If not, what are some charities you think you might like to volunteer for?

#132. What does the word courage mean to you?

#133. What makes you unique? What are some things about you that make you an individual?

#134. Have you ever been to a museum? What is your favorite thing to look at on display?

#135. What can you do to set a good example for others to be kind?

#136. A Tall Tale is a story that exaggerates something that actually happened. Write a tall tale about something that recently happened to you.

#137. What is one of your favorite toys that you think you might still want to have and play with when you are 22 years old?

#138. Oh no! Everyone around you is sick with a nasty cold! Write a silly poem about how you try to avoid catching their germs!

#139. Personification is when a non-living object takes on human characteristics. Write a story where you personify a common electronic gadget in your house, such as the Television or toaster.

#140. Write a poem using similes, which is when you say an object is like something else. Here is an example of a simile: “Her eyes were as blue as the sky.”

#141. Have you ever read a book written by Dr. Suess? Write your own “Suess-style” story, complete with rhymes and made up words.

#142. Do you have any siblings? Think about what it might mean to be a good brother or sister and write about it!

#143. Make a list of questions to interview your parents or grandparents about what it was like when they were growing up as a kid. Then, ask them the questions and write about their answers!

#144. You are in charge of writing a new radio show just for kids! What topics will you talk about? What music do you play?

#145. What do you usually eat for breakfast every day? What, in your opinion, is the greatest breakfast food ever created? What makes it so great?

#146. Write a 12 line poem where every line is about a different month of the year.

#147. What is something you look forward to doing the most when you are an adult?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#148. Do you like to try new things? What is something new you have tried recently or would like to try?

#149. Imagine what it might be like to be alive in Egypt when the pyramids were built. Write about what it was like.

#150. A credo is a statement of personal beliefs. Try writing your own credo for things that you believe in and feel are important.

#151. The circus has come to town but they have no place to perform! How do you help the ringmaster find a place to put on a show?

#152. Do you like to act? What are some of your favorite actors or actresses? What do you think makes someone a good actor or actress?

#153. “Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice so you can become better at it? A sport? A musical instrument? A special skill? Do you like to practice?

#154. Write about what it might be like to be water drops freezing and turning into ice.

#155. Do you think it is important to keep your room clean? What do you like about having a clean room?

#156. Imagine your parents are sending you away for a two week summer camp trip. Would you be excited? Why or why not?

#157. What are you currently learning about in history class? Write a fictional story about someone from the past you are learning about.

#158. Many wars have been fought in the past. Instead of going to war, what do you think countries could do to resolve their differences peacefully?

#159. Every year over 8 billion plastic bottles and cans are thrown away. What are some things you can do to help encourage your family and friends to recycle?

#160. Imagine if you were the principal of the school. What might you do differently? What things would you do that are the same? Write about it!

#161. Pretend that one day you are at your neighbor’s house and you notice a strange noise coming from the basement. You go downstairs to investigate to see a large machine running with many lights and buttons. Why is it there?

#162. Write an essay that starts with the line, “Tomorrow, I hope…”

#163. If you could give one thing to every child in the world, what would you want to give them?

#164. Do you have a piggy bank at home? How do you earn money to add to your savings?

#165. What qualities make a house a home? What are 3 things you think every house should have?

#166. Would you rather go scuba diving or rock climbing? Write about which one you think you would like to do more and why.

#167. Do you think it is a good idea for kids to write a daily journal? What are some of the benefits of writing every day?

#168. Do you like watching fireworks or are they too noisy? Write about a time when you saw fireworks in the sky.

#169. Oh no! Your friend has turned into a statue! How did this happen? What do you do? Does your friend ever turn back into a person again?

#170. If you could be any movie character, who would you be and why?

#171. A mysterious message appears in code on your computer screen. What could it mean?

#172. If you could go to work with one of your parents for a day, what do you think the day would be like? What types of things do your parents do at work all day long?

#173. Imagine you are the President and you are creating a new national holiday. What is your holiday about? How is it celebrated? What day of the year do you celebrate? Write about it!

#174. You won a never-ending lifetime supply of spaghetti noodles! What will you do with all of these noodles?

#175. Would you rather be a bunny rabbit or a hawk? Why did you choose the one you chose?

#176. Your teacher has been acting mysterious lately. After school one day, you notice a weird green light shining through underneath the door of your classroom. What do you do? What is happening with your teacher?

#177. Write an article about tips for how kids can be more organized and study well for tests.

#178. Look at any product in your house and read the ingredients labels. Research what each ingredient is. Do you think these ingredients are good or bad for people?

#179. If you were a doctor, what do you think would be the most important part of your job every day?

#180. The school librarian needs your help! A truck just arrived with 2,000 books and she can’t fit all the books onto the shelves! What do you do? How do you find a place to put all these books?

#181. Do you think it would be fun to plant a garden? What types of plants would you want to grow? Write about your garden ideas.

#182. What is a sport or activity you would like to try playing for the first time?

#183. Do you think kids should be allowed to do the same things as adults? What things do you think kids should be able to do that only grown-ups can?

#184. Imagine you and your parents switch places for a day. Your parents are the kids and you are now in charge! What would you do?

#185. Write a get-well letter to someone who has been sick. What can you say to make them feel better?

#186. If you could visit any planet in the solar system, which planet would you like to visit the most and why? Write about what it might be like.

#187. Have you ever been to a farm? What did you like about it? If you haven’t been to a farm, do you think you might like to visit one? Why or why not?

#188. The mayor of the city has a big problem and needs your help! What is the problem and how will you solve it?

#189. Pretend your little sister ate carrots for dinner and the next morning woke up with rabbit ears!  How did this happen? What do you do? Will she be a rabbit forever?

#190. Imagine you wake up in the morning to find out you get to relive any day of your life again for the whole day. What day would you want to experience again and why?

#191. Do you think you might like to be a firefighter? Why or why not?

#192. You are a lawyer and your client has been accused of stealing a car. How do you convince the jury your client is innocent?

#193. Think of the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. Which of these four elements do you like the best?

#194. What would you do if you could be invisible for a whole day? Do you think you would enjoy it or be glad to be back to normal the next day? Write about it!

#195. Imagine you are a meteorologist and people are starting to get angry that your weather predictions are always wrong. What do you do?

#196. If you could create any law, what would it be? Why do you think the law is an important one to have?

#197. You are going incognito and need to hide to your identity so you aren’t recognized or discovered while you walk through the city. What type of disguise do you wear?

#198. Write a persuasive letter to your parents explaining why you should get a new pet. Make sure you provide a convincing argument they won’t be able to refuse!

#199. Your friend wants to do something dangerous. What should you do?

#200. How do you think the world would be different if there were no oceans?

#201. What do you do when someone disagrees with your opinions? Is there a better way to handle conflicting opinions?

#202. What do you think you as a kid could do to help encourage more people to read?

#203. Do you have a good luck charm? What makes this item lucky? When do you use it? How do you use it?

#204. What is at the end of a rainbow? Imagine you follow a rainbow to the end. What do you discover? Is it a pot of gold, or something else?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#205. What do you think the consequences should be for someone who is caught cheating on a test at school?

#206. Imagine you are riding your bike one day when you encounter an older kid who wants to steal your bike. What do you do?

#207. You are the lead singer and star of a famous rock and roll band, but there is one problem – your drummer is jealous of your fame! How do you solve this situation?

#208. If you could help a group of kids in any part of the world, what kids would you want to help the most and why? What are some things you think would help these kids?

#209. Everyone knows the house on the end of the street is haunted. What are some of the strange things that happen there? Why is the house haunted?

#210. You notice at school one day there is a door to a secret passage next to the janitor’s closet and decide to explore. Where does it lead? Why is it there? Do you go alone or bring a friend along?

#211. A bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime. What are 5 things on your bucket list?

#212. Imagine the perfect treehouse or clubhouse for you and all of your friends as a place to hang out. Describe what it is like inside.

#213. Do you get bored easily? Make a list of things you can do whenever you feel like you are bored and there is nothing fun to do!

#214. Now vs. Then: Think about how today is different from one year ago. How have you changed? What things in your life are different?

#215. Write your autobiography about your life.

#216. It’s a heat wave! What do you do when the weather is hot? What are some of your favorite ways to stay cool?

#217. What are three important safety tips every kid should know to stay safe?

#218. What genre of books do you like to read the most? Write about the characteristics of the genre and list some of your favorite books as examples.

#219. Holiday Traditions: How does your family celebrate the different holidays and events? What are some traditions you do each and every year?

#220. Imagine one day in science class a science experiment goes terribly wrong and now you and all of your classmates have superpowers! What are your superpowers and what do you do with them?

#221. Who is favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

#222. You are baking a cake, but you accidentally put salt in the cake instead of sugar. Nobody will eat it! How do you feel? What will you do next time?

#223. Do you think it is important to have good table manners? What do you think some good manners to practice might be?

#224. Many schools no longer teach cursive handwriting. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Do you know how to write cursive handwriting? Would you like to learn if you haven’t?

#225. If you were the owner of a theme park, what types of rides and attractions would have? Describe what they would be like and why people would want to visit your park.

#226. Your parents give you $100 to spend at the grocery store. What do you buy and why?

#227. Some people who are alive today grew up without computers or video games. What would you do if you didn’t have a computer or video games? How would life be different?

#228. You walk into your living room and discover there is a giant elephant standing there. How did the elephant get there? What do you do about it? How do you explain the elephant in the living room to your parents?

#229. Have you ever had a weird dream? What happened in the dream? What do you think it means?

#230. Do you like to draw or paint? Write a story inspired by a painting, doodle, or sketch.

#231. You are being sent on a mission to outer space to live in a space station for 5 years. What supplies do you pack and why?

#232. What is the scariest creature alive on earth? Describe in detail what makes it so horrifying.

#233. What do you think your pet might say if they could talk to you?

#234. Imagine your school is putting on a talent show. What act will you perform? What other acts will be in the show?

#235. If you could breathe under water, what would you do?

#236. What time of day do you think school should start? Write a convincing argument on why or why not the time of day school starts should change.

#237. If you were to start your own YouTube video channel, what would the videos on your channel be about?

#238. Do you like to cook? What are some things you like to make and eat?

#239. Your school is having a field day and you are in charge of planning the activities and games. What types of activities and games would you plan for the event?

#240. If you had a remote control drone that takes video of everything it sees from the sky and you could take it anywhere, what would you film? For example, the inside of a volcano or soar it over the plains of Africa.

#241. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the ocean where many ships and planes have gone missing. Why do you think this could be? Write a story about what it might be like to travel there.

#242. There are 7 great wonders of the world – which one do you think is the most wonderful?

#243. If you could speak any foreign language fluently, which one would you like to speak and why?

#244. You are inventing a new flavor of ice cream! What is the new flavor called and what ingredients do you need to make it?

#245. Would you rather go to a baseball game or read a good book? What reasons do you have for your choice?

#246. You walk outside to get your mail and your mailbox starts talking to you! What does your mailbox have to say?

#247. Imagine you are a famous person. What are you most famous for? What is it like to be famous?

#248. What do you think would be the most fun job in the world to have? Give examples of why you think it would be a fun job to have.

#249. Write a poem about an object that is shiny and dazzling.

#250. Do you like to watch the Olympics? Why or why not? If yes, what is your favorite Olympic sport?

#251. What kind of car do you want to drive when you are older? Do you think learning to drive will be easy or hard?

#252. What do you think would make for a great gift to give someone on their birthday?

#253. Describe a time when you needed help and someone helped you. What did they help you with and how did it make you feel?

#254. If you could be any type of fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

Love these prompts?  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to use at home or in the classroom!

#255. Do you think it is more important to have a good imagination or have all the facts proven?

#256. Do you have a favorite aunt, uncle, or another relative? Write a story about their life and why you like to be with them.

#257. Think of a time you laughed really, really hard. What was so funny? Why were you laughing? Write about it!

#258. Write a poem about an emotion. For example: happy, sad, angry, embarrassed, guilty.

#259. Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep? What are some things that help you feel sleepy?

#260. If you could drive a car, where would you drive and why?

#261. Imagine you are trading places with your friend for a day. What will it be like to be at their house? What will your friend think while they are at your house? Write about it!

#262. If you could break a world record, what would it be? What do you think would be necessary to be able to break the world record?

#263. Imagine you live in Colonial times. What would it be like to grow up as a kid in Colonial America?

#264. You are building a new city. What is the name of your city? What is the weather like? What buildings will you build?

#265. What do you think it would be like to work as a sailor on big ship in the ocean each day?

#266. Imagine you are the teacher for the day. What types of activities do you make the students in the class do?

#267. How would you feel if your parents told you that you would be getting a new baby brother or sister? Write about it!

#268. Do you know any good jokes? What are some of your favorite jokes? What makes them funny? Do you think you could write your own?

#269. Imagine you are floating down a river on a raft. What types of things can you see from the river that you normally wouldn’t see from the land?

#270. You want to start a new hobby collecting something. What kinds of things would you collect and why?

#271. Your mom announces she is having a yard sale. Would you let her sell any of your things? Why or why not?

#272. Imagine you walk out your front door one morning and it is raining popcorn! What do you do?

#273.  You are camping in the woods one night and hear a scary noise. What do you do? What might be the cause?

#274. What do you think might make kids really happy to go to school? What are some things you think schools should do so that it could be more fun?

#275. Today’s lunch at the cafeteria was unusually horrible. You are a detective on the case to investigate. What do you think is the cause?

#276. If you had a tree that grows money, what would you do?

#277. What would you do if you had a unicorn as a pet?

#278. Would you rather go to the zoo or go to the aviary? Which one would you pick and why?

#279. What are some safety tips you should follow when riding a bike?

#280. You are designing the cover of a magazine. What are some of the headlines on the cover?

#281. Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

#282. If you could learn to play any type of musical instrument, which one would you like to learn how to play and why?

#283. Imagine you are playing a sport that involves a ball, such as soccer, baseball or kickball. What would it be like if the ball could talk?

#284. You come home to discover a friendly alien has been living in your closet. What do you do? Why is there an alien in your closet?

#285. Is there something you are afraid of that you wish you weren’t afraid of? Write about it.

#286. Write about the best party you’ve ever been to. What made the day fun and special?

#287. What makes you feel loved and cared about? What are some ways people can show you that they love and care about you?

#288. There is a kite flying competition coming up and you are going to design your own kite. What will your kite look like? What colors will it be? Will it have any certain shape?

#289. You are given the challenge to drop an egg on the floor – without it breaking! What are some things you might try to make sure the egg won’t break?

#290. What are some of the things you can do every day to stay healthy?

#291. Do you think grown-ups are boring? Why do you think they are so boring all of the time? What is something fun that boring grown-ups could do instead of being so boring?

#292. Write a lyrical poem or song about what kids do while they are at school all day long.

#293. What are the first things you like to do when you are done with school each day? What are some of the activities you like when you are not at school?

#294. Imagine dinosaurs were still alive today. How do you think our lives would be different?

#295. Would you rather visit a volcano or a desert? Which one would you choose and why?

#296. Is there a sound you think is annoying? What types of sounds drive you crazy? Write about them!

#297. What do you think it would be like to be the size of an ant for a day? What types of things would you do?

#298. Imagine one of your stuffed animals comes to life and starts talking to you. What types of things will you talk about? What will you do?

#299. What makes you feel happiest? Write about the things in life that make you feel happy!

#300. Imagine there is no gravity. What kind of things would you do you for fun? How would some of the things you already do for fun be different?

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

Parents and teachers, I hope you enjoyed these 300 writing prompts for kids and that you will use them to inspire your children’s creative imaginations.

These prompts of course can be used in a number of different ways and can be adapted for a variety of different styles of writing !

What do you think? Do you think these are good conversation and story starters for kids? Do you have any ideas for writing prompts you would like to share?

And of course, if you’d like to make it super fun and easy to use these prompts at home or in your classroom, be sure to get our ad-free printable version of these kids writing prompt cards now available in my Etsy shop.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on different creative writing ideas and topics for kids to write about! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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48 comments.

These are awesome! I feel like answering the questions myself! Thanks a million!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

Lovely and amazing help

I wrote all 300! but my fingers hurt badly now. :l But i got to admit these are exellent questions!

Hi. Thanks for this list. So many great ideas. I will definitely use some of them for my Language Arts class.

hi people THIS WAS SO LONG but so worth it for my class thx mate

This was great for homework

Thank you for the topics. It was really helpful

Your writing prompts are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely be using it with my kids.

Thank you! I hope they enjoy the writing prompts!

I love these, they are awesome and very helpful too. Thank you very much.

these questions hooked me on easily thanks your the best!

They are all good prompts

This is always good and improves the brain.

These are very useful and very enjoyable topics, i enjoy by giving these to my students , their creations are marvelous

It’s was very long but worth it

This is good. I love it. It helps me in my studies. I share it with my friends children that likes the writing. We love it. Please, think of another writing.

Thanks! Worth printing and providing for my middle school students as a first week of the year activity. Must have taken you ages to come up with all 300 of these!

I’m glad to hear you can use them for your students! It did take some time, but it’s well worth it knowing it might inspire kids to write! 🙂

You need a printable version of this!!

Hi Katelyn, we have one! https://gumroad.com/UBnsO Hope you enjoy!

The link doesn’t seem to be working for me… Could you send me a copy of the list, please?

Hi Tori, the printable version of this post is available as an ad-free paid upgrade – you can purchase it through my Gumroad store: https://gum.co/UBnsO

I quite liked your ideas, I’ll try a few, surely!

How long did it take for you guys to make 300 ideas?

Definitely took some time Vilenti, but it was definitely worth writing all of them! Our prompts reach over a million people a year and are used in literacy, poverty, and mental health programs worldwide. 🙂

These were awesome, thanks a TON

i have school work and this is one thing i do.

i do this for school work to

i do this for school work

Hello Chelle, thanks a lot for this. During these tough Covid times, I find your list to be a great idea to engage kids. Have got them started on some today. Hopefully this will be a long term engagement for them.

The prompts are grrrreat

This was really helpful i have looked for a lot of these, that have a lot of topics and only found one other good one and finished it all, i got to 17 and was like are they all this good! And they all are so thanks!

Glad you enjoyed them!

These are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

I loved looking at these prompts!! They were very helpful. I am loving writing and supporting my claims with these prompts. You should post more ideas!! Thanks for sharing the prompts.

Do you have any more?

This really was think written

I’d like to use a few of your questions in a journal for adults that I am creating for sale. I will absolutely credit you at the beginning of the book. Is that okay with you or not? I don’t want to infringe on any copyright laws. I think I used about ten of them.

Hi Kristen, you cannot use these prompts for products for sale, that would definitely be an infringement on copyright. These prompts can only be used for non-commercial use.

this is the greatest app ever

I like all the questions

thank you for all the ideas they are so good

OMG These are all very good and many questions i like all these Thankyou soooooooooooo much for these

I’m in class doing this and it is so fun yes every body is doing this

I LOVE these! My daughter and I stumbled across a post full of fun writing prompts on another website but they were more geared for adults. This list is HUGE and perfect for us to tackle together. Thank you! ❤️

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Do you ever struggle to find the time or energy to write creatively in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it hard to get into the creative mindset early in the day. In this blog post, I’ll discuss some tips for establishing a morning routine that will help jumpstart your creativity.

1) Get up early. 

This may seem counterintuitive, but getting up earlier can give you more time to focus on your writing. Plus, there’s something about the quiet of early morning that just feels conducive to creativity. So set that alarm clock a little earlier than usual and see how it goes. Personally, I baulk at the idea of getting up an hour early, but I can manage twenty minutes. Those twenty minutes make a huge difference to me and my writing life.

2) Take some time for yourself. 

Before you start writing, take a few minutes to do something for yourself. This could be anything from taking a quick walk around the block to reading a few pages of your favourite book. The important thing is to take a few moments to clear your head and get into the right mindset for creative writing. 3) Find a comfortable spot.

Make sure you’re comfortable before writing. Find a spot where you can sit or stand comfortably. You might also consider playing soft music in the background to help you focus.

4) Try journalling or free writing before turning on the internet.

Set a timer for five or ten minutes and just write whatever comes into your head, without stopping to edit or worry about spelling or grammar. This can help get the creative juices flowing and warm up your brain for writing later in the day.

5) A change of space. 

If you want to write in the morning, but you’re struggling, try writing in a different location each day, or at least mix things up a bit. If you typically write at your kitchen table, try taking your laptop outside to the porch or park or working at a coffee shop instead. A change of scenery can help jumpstart the creative process!

If you’re not a morning person, don’t despair – there are plenty of other times during the day when you can get your creative juices flowing. Try setting aside some time each day to brainstorm new ideas or work on developing existing ones. If you can’t seem to get started, try brainstorming in the evening before bedtime or whenever you have some free time during the day. The important thing is to find a routine that works for you and stick with it! Want to know more about your writing routine? Click here for my fun quiz.

Do you have any other tips for jumpstarting your creativity in the morning? Share them with me here.

If you want to read something similar, check out the following:

How to Find the Time to Write How To Set Effective Writing Goals

Rachel Grosvenor

I’m a writer, writing coach, and editor.

I know how hard it is to find the time to work on your passion project, and I know you want your novel to be the best it can be.

With a PhD, MA, and BA in Creative Writing, and as a Certified Professional Coach, I’m well poised to help you with whatever issue you are experiencing.

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Morning Writing Prompts 2nd Grade: Begin the Day with Creativity

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Have you ever noticed how a simple spark of creativity can ignite an entire day of learning and discovery? For second graders, mornings are the perfect time to kickstart their imagination and get the creative juices flowing. But how can you set the tone for a day filled with inspired writing? The answer lies in morning writing prompts specifically designed for 2nd graders. Whether it’s describing an imaginary adventure or recounting a memorable moment, these prompts are the key to unlocking your little one’s imagination and fueling their thirst for knowledge. So, grab a pencil and get ready to embark on a journey of limitless possibilities as we explore the wonders of morning writing prompts tailored for the bright minds of 2nd graders.

Waking Up the Imagination: Engaging Morning Writing Prompts for 2nd Graders

Igniting creativity: why morning writing prompts are beneficial for 2nd graders, unlocking the power of words: how morning writing prompts foster language development, 1. provide inspirational writing prompts:, 2. celebrate writing achievements:, fueling curiosity: inspiring inquiry through morning writing prompts, teaching 2nd graders the art of crafting compelling narratives, building confidence through expression: empowering 2nd graders with morning writing prompts, drawing inspiration: using visual prompts to spark imagination in 2nd grade writing, spark creativity with visual prompts, incorporating visual prompts into writing activities, frequently asked questions, concluding remarks.

Looking for creative ways to start your 2nd graders’ day while boosting their writing skills? Our collection of morning writing prompts will spark their imaginations and get their creative juices flowing! These prompts are designed to engage young minds and encourage meaningful expression in a fun and interactive way, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.

1. Weather Adventures: Encourage your students to describe their dream weather. Will it rain chocolate? Will the sun have a funny face? Let them unleash their imagination and put their ideas on paper. It’s a great way to develop descriptive language skills and foster creativity.

2. Time Travel Tales: Transport your little writers to a different time period. What would it be like to live during the time of dinosaurs or in a medieval castle? Let them visualize the setting, characters, and storyline, and watch as their storytelling abilities shine.

3. Animal Adventures: Ask your students to imagine they can transform into any animal. What would they choose and why? Encourage them to think about the unique characteristics, habits, and abilities of their chosen creature. This prompt helps foster empathy and expand their understanding of the animal kingdom.

Writing prompts are an effective tool to inspire creativity in young minds and morning writing prompts, in particular, offer a range of benefits for 2nd graders. These prompts provide children with a daily opportunity to explore their imagination, expand their vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills . By engaging in this activity at the beginning of each day, kids are sparked with fresh ideas and a sense of excitement that sets a positive tone for the rest of their learning journey.

One of the primary advantages of morning writing prompts is that they encourage 2nd graders to think outside the box. These prompts present unique scenarios or thought-provoking questions that stimulate their imagination and push them to explore new concepts and perspectives. By challenging their creativity each morning, students become more comfortable with expressing their ideas and develop the confidence to think creatively in other areas of their lives as well. Furthermore, with each prompt, children have the chance to learn and experiment with new words and expressions, enhancing their vocabulary and improving their writing skills.

• Boosting critical thinking skills: Morning writing prompts require students to analyze and evaluate situations, fostering their critical thinking abilities.
• Enhancing communication skills: Regular writing practice enables 2nd graders to articulate their thoughts effectively, improving their overall communication skills.
• Encouraging self-expression: Writing prompts offer a safe space for children to express their feelings, thoughts, and ideas without judgment.
• Promoting reflection and self-awareness: Through daily writing, students develop the habit of reflecting on their experiences and thoughts, fostering self-awareness.

Have you ever wondered about the magical power of words and how they can shape our lives? Morning writing prompts are a simple yet effective tool that can unlock this power and foster language development in both children and adults. By starting our day with a creative writing exercise, we can tap into our imagination, strengthen our vocabulary, and enhance our communication skills.

One of the greatest benefits of morning writing prompts is their ability to encourage self-expression. When faced with an engaging prompt, individuals are encouraged to think critically and express their thoughts and feelings in a structured manner. This practice not only helps them become better writers but also cultivates their ability to articulate their ideas clearly and confidently. Morning writing prompts also provide an opportunity for individuals to explore different genres of writing, such as storytelling, poetry, and persuasive writing, which enables them to experiment with various writing styles and foster their unique voice.

Nurturing a Love for Writing: Cultivating a Positive Writing Environment in 2nd Grade

Creating a positive writing environment is vital for fostering a love for writing in young minds. In a second-grade classroom, it is important to establish a safe and encouraging space where students feel comfortable expressing themselves through words. Here are a few key elements that contribute to cultivating a positive writing environment:

Offering interesting and thought-provoking writing prompts can ignite the creativity of 2nd graders. Encourage students to share their writing ideas and collaborate with their peers. By exposing them to various prompts, such as imaginative stories or real-life experiences, you can cultivate their excitement and motivation to write.

Recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of young writers can boost their confidence and passion for writing. Displaying exemplary work on a dedicated bulletin board or holding brief sharing sessions where students can read their pieces aloud to the class can create a supportive writing community. By applauding their efforts, students feel valued and motivated to continue refining their writing skills.

Welcome to a world where curiosity thrives and inquiry takes flight! Our morning writing prompts are here to ignite your imagination and spark meaningful exploration. Whether you’re a passionate wordsmith or just looking to stretch your creative muscles, our carefully crafted prompts will challenge, inspire, and cultivate a love for language.

Each day, we present you with intriguing writing prompts designed to awaken your curiosity and encourage deep thinking. Through these thought-provoking exercises , we aim to nourish your inquisitive nature and foster a habit of daily self-expression. Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery as you ponder life’s mysteries, explore historical events, dive into fictional worlds, and examine thought-provoking questions that will make you see the world in a different light.

Here’s what you can expect from our morning writing prompts:

• Inspiration: Our prompts are carefully curated to evoke creativity, inspire new ideas, and get your pen flowing onto the page.
• Diversity: From personal reflection to fantastical scenarios, we ensure a wide range of prompts that cater to various interests and writing styles.
• Flexibility: Feel free to mold each prompt to suit your preferences. There are no right or wrong answers, only your unique perspective.
• Community: Connect with fellow writers through our online community, where you can share your responses, provide feedback, and be part of a vibrant collective.

No matter your writing experience or goals, our morning writing prompts are designed to fuel your curiosity, nourish your love for words, and ignite a never-ending desire to explore. So grab your pen, embrace the unknown, and let your imagination soar!

From Ideas to Stories: Guiding 2nd Graders in Crafting Compelling Narratives

In the classroom, we foster a love for storytelling by guiding our 2nd graders through the process of transforming their ideas into captivating narratives. By nurturing their imagination and creative thinking, we empower our young learners to express themselves through writing. Here’s how we help them develop their storytelling skills:

• Brainstorming: To kickstart their creativity, we encourage our students to brainstorm ideas for their narratives. We prompt them with thought-provoking questions and encourage them to write down all their thoughts and ideas.
• Character Development: We teach our 2nd graders the importance of developing strong and relatable characters. We guide them to think about their characters’ personality traits, appearance, and motivations, helping them bring their fictional characters to life.
• Plot Structure: Understanding the foundation of a compelling story is crucial. We introduce our students to the basic elements of plot, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. We help them map out their narratives to ensure a cohesive and engaging storyline.

By providing a supportive environment and incorporating these strategies, our 2nd graders flourish as storytellers. From sharing their imaginative tales to learning the power of written expression, our students develop into confident writers, equipped with the skills to craft compelling narratives that captivate readers.

In our quest to nurture the minds and creativity of our young learners, we have introduced an exciting new initiative for our 2nd graders. Morning writing prompts have become the cornerstone of our morning routine, providing a safe space for our students to express themselves and build their confidence.

With a wide variety of engaging topics to choose from, our little writers are encouraged to put their thoughts and ideas on paper. Each morning, they are eagerly greeted with a new prompt, ranging from imaginative stories and personal reflections to fun descriptive exercises. This daily ritual serves as a gentle reminder that their voices matter and their words hold power.

• Through these morning prompts, our 2nd graders will:
• Explore their creativity and broaden their vocabulary.
• Develop critical thinking skills and organize their thoughts effectively.
• Gain confidence in expressing their emotions and opinions.
• Enhance their writing techniques and storytelling abilities.
• Furthermore, this empowering activity:
• Fosters a sense of community and mutual respect as students share and appreciate each other’s work.
• Encourages active listening and provides an opportunity for constructive feedback.
• Creates a positive mindset towards writing, helping to bridge the gap between imagination and pen.
• Equips our 2nd graders with a valuable skillset that extends beyond the classroom walls.

Through this morning writing expedition, we aim to instill in our young learners a love for self-expression, an unwavering belief in their abilities, and the confidence to embrace their unique voices.

When it comes to nurturing a child’s imagination, visual prompts can be a powerful tool. In 2nd-grade writing, incorporating these prompts can encourage young minds to explore their ideas, create captivating stories, and develop their writing skills. By stimulating their imagination through visuals, students can dive into exciting scenarios and let their creativity soar.

To begin, educators can introduce unique and engaging images to the classroom. These visuals can be anything from vibrant illustrations to captivating photographs or even thought-provoking artwork. By presenting a wide range of imagery, children are exposed to different styles and subject matters, allowing them to explore various topics in their writing. Furthermore, visual prompts can inspire rich descriptions, enabling students to use adjectives, adverbs, and vivid language to bring their ideas to life.

One effective way to utilize visual prompts is through storyboarding. Encouraging students to create a sequence of events based on an image helps develop their storytelling skills and sequential thinking. This activity also prompts them to think critically about cause and effect, as they consider the logical progression of events within their narratives.

Another approach could be using visual prompts for descriptive writing exercises. Students can be encouraged to turn an image into a detailed paragraph, focusing on sensory details such as sights, sounds, smells, and feelings evoked by the visual. The practice of observation and translating those observations into descriptive language strengthens their descriptive writing abilities and engages their senses in the writing process.

Q: What are morning writing prompts for 2nd graders? A: Morning writing prompts are short and engaging writing activities that are used to kickstart the day for 2nd-grade students. These prompts aim to encourage creativity and help students develop their writing skills.

Q: Why is it important to begin the day with writing prompts? A: Starting the day with writing prompts allows children to tap into their creativity and helps foster a love for writing. It also helps develop their communication and language skills, as well as enhances critical thinking abilities.

Q: What are some examples of morning writing prompts for 2nd graders? A: Some examples of morning writing prompts for 2nd graders include: “If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?” or “Describe your favorite place to visit and explain why you like it.”

Q: How can 2nd-grade teachers incorporate morning writing prompts into their daily routine? A: 2nd-grade teachers can allot a few minutes each morning for writing prompts. They can project the prompt on a screen or write it on the board as students arrive. Students can then respond to the prompt in their journals or on individual sheets of paper.

Q: Can morning writing prompts be adapted for different skill levels? A: Yes, morning writing prompts can be adapted to accommodate different skill levels. Teachers can provide simpler prompts for students who may be struggling with writing or offer more challenging prompts for those who excel in the subject.

Q: What are the benefits of using morning writing prompts for 2nd graders? A: Morning writing prompts help students improve their writing skills, encourage self-expression, ignite creativity, and foster a positive attitude towards writing. They also provide a structured start to the day, allowing students to ease into the learning process.

Q: How can parents support their 2nd graders’ morning writing prompts at home? A: Parents can encourage their 2nd graders to complete their morning writing prompts at home by providing a quiet and comfortable space for them to write. They can also provide prompts and engage in discussions about their child’s writing, offering constructive feedback and encouragement.

Q: Are there any online resources available for morning writing prompts for 2nd graders? A: Yes, there are various online resources and websites that offer a wide range of morning writing prompts for 2nd graders. Teachers and parents can explore these platforms to find prompts that suit their child’s interests and abilities.

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Proud to be Primary

Be inspired, motivate kids, and make a positive impact in your classroom.

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Morning Work Made Easy: Practical Ideas & Activities for K-2 Teachers

Morning work that is engaging and targets important skills can help your students and make your teaching life easier. These resources require little prep and are a whole lot of fun!

• Easy Morning Work Ideas and Resources

Starting the day off right is crucial in the primary-level classroom, and morning work activities are a fantastic way to set a positive tone while reinforcing important skills. I went from activity to activity when I first started teaching. From coloring sheets, morning bins, and quiet reading to realizing that I could switch it up each day without feeling stressed each morning. I found activities that are simple to prep and engaging for students! 

Here is a round-up of those ideas to explore and a variety of fun and simple morning work ideas specifically designed for primary students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. From alphabet recognition to counting, number sense, and fine motor skills practice, we will provide engaging activities and highlight their benefits to your student’s learning journey.

Table of Contents

Morning work routine, alphabet posters review activity, alphabet letter search, kindergarten math morning work centers, directed drawing art and writing activities, sight word practice, math fact review.

• Math Morning Work Centers 

Creative Writing Prompts

Grammar and language practice, math word problems & challenges, science experiments and mini-projects, free learning activity mats, morning work activities, activities and resources to help start your day.

Morning work is a valuable part of the daily routine in the classroom. It refers to brief, focused activities students engage in at the beginning of the school day. Morning work helps students transition into the learning mindset, reinforces previously learned concepts, and allows teachers to address individual student needs.

Morning work can include various activities, such as reviewing skills, practicing newer concepts, or engaging in creative tasks. It helps set a positive tone for the day, provides a routine, and allows teachers to observe and assess students’ progress. By starting the day with purposeful morning work, students are ready for a successful and productive day of learning.

Morning Work Ideas for Kindergarten

If you have ever taught kindergarten, you know the craziness of a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… morning. Morning work is a great way to get students started on a positive note, allow for review and practice, or just have a little fun. Plus, it will calm things down a tad and get kids settled for the day! These morning work ideas for kindergarten are just a few to could consider.

Alphabet Recognition

Developing strong alphabet recognition skills is essential for early literacy success. Here are some letter recognition activities that can transform your morning work into a valuable letter review time. 

Utilize colorful alphabet posters to engage students in letter recognition. Display them around the classroom, encouraging students to identify and name the letters they see. A “Letter of the Day” is a fun way to practice the alphabet with a whole group and reinforce each letter during morning work the next morning. Read a book about things that start with that letter and create an anchor chart with pictures made by students that match words for that particular letter.

During morning work, have students search for letters in various contexts, such as books, newspapers, and magazines. Add fine motor skills, give students blank paper with a specific letter, and have them to cut out objects or words from newspapers, magazines, and old books and glue them to the paper that starts with the letter. This activity promotes letter recognition and familiarity. You can make it easier on yourself and use spot the letter mats ! 

Counting and Number Sense

Building a strong foundation in counting and number sense sets the stage for mathematical growth. You can easily incorporate some math activities into your morning work routine. 

Easily enhance number sense and counting skills with these hands-on math activities and worksheets. With hands-on learning, number recognition, counting, and basic addition and subtraction, incorporating this into morning work routines promotes a strong foundation in number sense while making learning enjoyable. Daily Math Mats are also a great way to review concepts you have already taught to keep them fresh in students’ minds.

Fine Motor Skills Morning Work Practice

Developing fine motor skills is essential for students, and students are developing these fine motor skills throughout the primary grades. Encourage their growth with activities that have easy-to-follow step-by-step directions. 

Children love to draw! Directed drawing activities not only promote fine motor skills but also foster creativity. Students follow step-by-step instructions to create simple drawings, allowing them to practice hand-eye coordination and pencil control. Fine motor skills practice enhances students’ hand strength, coordination, and dexterity, which is crucial for tasks like writing, cutting, and manipulating objects. These activities also support cognitive development and concentration.

Morning Work Ideas for First Grade

When students hit 1st grade, we want to make morning work meaningful and inviting. Students should practice already taught skills, and we want to reinforce good habits and ideas. From sight word practice to math fact review and creative writing prompts, you can bring in many different morning work activities that provide an engaging start to the day and promote important literacy and numeracy skills. 

Developing strong sight word recognition is crucial for reading fluency. In 1st grade, we want students to not only remember their kindergarten sight words but add additional sight words to their vocabulary.

Have students practice sight words with engaging activities and worksheets , like find and color sight word sheets, play-doh mats, and others that help students master essential sight words and build their reading skills.

Reinforcing math facts is essential for building a solid foundation in numeracy. Morning work is a great time to allow for math fact practice! Give students an opportunity to work through their math facts in a no-pressure situation and be ready for the math lesson of the day.

Use interactive activities and worksheets to review and practice addition facts up to 20 during morning work. This will help students improve their fluency and mental math abilities making your math block easier. Math Mats are also a great option for review!

Math Morning Work Centers

Explore math centers that focus on numbers up to 20. These number sense math centers provide hands-on activities and games to reinforce counting, number recognition, and basic addition and subtraction skills.

Give students extra practice during morning work with worksheets that review skills already taught, or if you have students who excel, give them an activity based on a new concept and see if they can rise to the challenge.

Morning work is a great time to get students excited about writing. Allow their creative juices to flow while using writing prompts for kids !

Morning work is a great time to help encourage creative expression and writing skills with creative writing mats . Obviously, offer a variety of writing activities and prompts throughout the year and inspire students to write and engage in imaginative storytelling or, at the very least, practice proper letter formation and editing.

Morning Work Ideas for Second Grade

Morning work in the second grade is a valuable opportunity for students to start their day on a productive note. Much like first grade, it allows them to review and practice essential skills while developing a positive learning environment.

From grammar and language practice to math word problems and challenges, as well as engaging science experiments and mini-projects, these morning work activities will get students thinking critically and reinforce key concepts across different subjects before you start your lessons!

Grammar and language may be hard to fit into your day. But strengthening grammar and language skills is essential for effective communication. Having students practice specific skills like long vowels, short vowels, capitalization, periods, etc., through morning work makes for great review.

Try resources, like word work practice mats , that provide quick, interactive activities that easily reinforce grammar rules, parts of speech, and language conventions. 

In second grade, students will begin to work on solving math problems independently. Finding quick math challenges, activities, and worksheets with word problems are great for morning work.

Look for resources that offer engaging math word problems and challenges that kids can work on unassisted. Encourage them to use their mental math abilities, the strategies they have been taught, and the math tools available to them in the classroom.

Mindful Math for 2nd Grade offers fun math activities that kids can work through independently during morning work. For a spiral-type review covering different math objectives, consider trying 2nd Grade Math Mats .

You can foster scientific inquiry and hands-on learning during morning work, as well. Consider including easy science experiments and mini-projects. They do not need to be anything that requires a lot of setup or cleanup and allow students to work through fun activities independently. Simply leave out a few materials for students to explore as they arrive in the morning.

Above all, morning work in kindergarten, first, and second grade offers opportunities to engage kids in activities that target important skills across various subjects. By incorporating these resources into your morning routine, you provide meaningful and enjoyable learning opportunities for students.

Resources to Make Your Morning Easier

Try engaging in morning work activities in your classroom with this FREE Morning Work Mats Sampler Pack ! You’ll receive 5 different activity mats to make your morning work easier!

Click the image below to grab a copy.

Proud to be Primary has many resources available that you can use for facilitating morning work.

• Spot the Letter Mats
• Directed Drawing Activities
• Creative Writing Mats
• Sight Word Worksheets
• Word Work Practice Mats
• Word Family Activities
• Simple Science Experiments
• Mindful Math Centers for Kindergarten , 1st Grade , and 2nd Grade
• Math Practice Mats for Kindergarten , 1st grade , and 2nd grade

SEL Morning Meeting

Monthly Math Mats Daily Math Practice

Drawing Activities

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Search for creative inspiration

19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

morning - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• early morning
• morning sickness
• quote of the day
• quotes for good morning
• Sunlight through a window
• waking up suddenly

A mottle of baby blue and white, blended to fashion my favourite morning grey, adorned the newborn sky.

Golden threads of morning light transform my night dreaming into an ambient optimism.

Morning arrives as a mother's gentle hand, inviting the dreams of night to enter the day.

The halo of the horizon arrives with golden grace.

Golden rays of the morntide come as invitations to the day.

The morning comes as if even the clouds have inner grins.

In morning there is more joy in the part of me that peeks through the windows of my eyes. In the morning there is more love awaiting a chance to jump into the air in that silent crackle we sense with our soul. In the morning there is more deep sweetness that resonates within and finds a way to express this energy that is me.

In the wash of the new light, your face takes on the appearance of an old photograph, one of nostalgia, so beautiful. I watch as it brings your skin into focus, not yet animated with the warmth of who you are, for you are still in the land of dreams. And since there is no better thing to do but to bring my body so close that our hearts synchronise, I'll hug you till you wake, when the light is so strong that you come into the present with me, eyes open.

The curtains add an orange glow to the morning light, every morning a perfect sunrise. It reminds Haydon of of the times he slept in a beach hut, watching the ocean emerge under the golden shimmer. For a moment his mind conjures the rhythmic waves, soft on the sandy shore and feels his heart beat to the same slow pace. He breaths in deeply. A new day has begun. He reaches his had out to the fabric, noticing how up close the light pours through every open space between fibres, no different from how it once came through the beach-hut walls, illuminating like brilliant fire-flies each dawn. The material is warm beneath his fingers, and when the sun floods the room, painting the colours anew, he feels a little of those golden rays soak into his skin.

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Craft the perfect creative writing prompt from Microsoft Designer's AI images

march 22, 2024

by Monica Jayasinghe

Hello, fellow educators! I recently discovered an exciting way to create engaging writing prompts for my students using AI and Microsoft Designer . The results were amazing, and I can't wait to share this fun and innovative approach with you!

Describing the Vision:

To get started, head over to Microsoft Designer . We'll use the power of AI to generate an image that will serve as the foundation for our writing prompt.

We'll use Image Creator , where you can describe the image you want to create. The goal is to generate an image that will capture your students' imagination and inspire them to write.

For this example, I entered the prompt, A spacecraft landing near a house, futuristic, mysterious.

Choose the image you want to work with

Once you select Generate , Microsoft Designer will provide you with a variety of AI-generated images. Since we're creating a writing prompt, look for an image that has space for adding instructions and is easy to read.

You'll be amazed by the number of options available! When you find an image you like, click on it and select Edit image .

Customize the image

After selecting your preferred image, it's time to customize it.

• Click on Resize in the top panel and adjust the dimensions to match a PowerPoint slide. This will ensure that the image fits perfectly when you're ready to present it to your students. You can also align the image anywhere on the page to create the perfect composition.
• In the box labeled AI tools , you'll see additional customization options. Consider playing with the filters to update the mood and color scheme of your image.

Add instructions and text

To make the writing prompt clear and easy to read, click on the existing text and customize it. To add a heading, click on Text in the left panel. The right panel will populate with even more ideas you can use.

In this example, I changed the color to white and added a story starter.

Engage your students

The possibilities for using AI-generated images as writing prompts are endless! Here are a few options:

Get inspired by the artwork

The most obvious way to use these images is as direct inspiration for student writing. Generate a bold, fantastical, emotional, or silly image and have students write a story about what's happening in the image.

Try this prompt: A whimsical classroom under the sea. The teacher is a wise old octopus. The classroom is decorated with shell desks and seaweed streamers .

Bring stories to life

Another great idea is to take an excerpt from a story you're reading in class and use the AI to generate an image that matches that specific part of the story. This will spark engaging discussions among your students and bring the story to life in a whole new way.

Bring units to life

Why stop at a story? You can also generate images that fit the theme of a unit you're working on, whether you're exploring weather patterns or reliving life on the Oregon Trail.

Consider setting aside some time each day or week for students to free write or journal. Kick off the writing session with an AI-generated image, then throw on some light classical music and let them write. Mix up the kind of images you show them, from lush landscapes to abstract pop art, and see what it inspires.

Try this prompt: An abstract painting in vivid colors

You can even include animated options. After you generate your image in Microsoft Designer, select the image and Create Design . In the right-hand panel that appears, you'll see several design options. Usually, one or more of these options will be animated. Select the animated option and add it to your PowerPoint!

Accessing your AI-generated images

One of the best features of Microsoft Designer is that all the images you create using AI are saved in the My Media section. This means you'll never lose your creations and can easily access them whenever you need them.

This feature enables educators to curate a collection of visuals for various writing themes, be it aliens, dragons, or any other imaginative scenario.

Wrapping up

Microsoft Designer is a game-changer for educators looking to inspire their students' creativity. The AI-generated images, customization options, and easy access to your creations make this a powerful tool for any classroom.

Head over to designer.microsoft.com today and start creating unforgettable writing prompts!

Related topics

Office of the Vice President for Research

Ovpr announces recipients of 2024 discovery and innovation awards.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is honoring 11 faculty and staff for their exceptional contributions to research, scholarship, and creative activity as part of the 2024 Discovery and Innovation Awards .

“ The winners represent the best and the brightest of our University of Iowa faculty and staff, who are making an impact across a range of disciplines,”  said Marty Scholtz, vice president for research. “Their research and scholarship enhance undergraduate and graduate education on campus, and their efforts to expand the frontiers of discovery betters our community, state, and world.”

The OVPR solicited nominations from across campus for the awards, which include: Scholar of the Year, Early Career Scholar of the Year, Leadership in Research, and awards that recognize achievement in communicating scholarship with public audiences, community engagement, arts and humanities, mentorship, research administration and safety. A campuswide event on April 30 will celebrate the winners.

Faculty Awards

Jun Wang , James E. Ashton Professor and interim departmental executive officer in the College of Engineering’s

 Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, is the 2024 Scholar of the Year . The award celebrates nationally recognized recent achievement in outstanding research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. 

Wang’s research centers on the development of novel remote sensing techniques to characterize aerosols and fires from space. He serves as the University of Iowa’s lead investigator on NASA’s TEMPO, Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution, which Time magazine named one of its best inventions of 2023. 

“Professor Wang's scholarly endeavors over the past two years stand out as a paradigm of excellence, serving as an exemplary model for both emerging and seasoned faculty members to aspire toward,” said Karim Abdel-Malek, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Iowa Technology Institute.

James Byrne , assistant professor of radiation oncology in the Carver College of Medicine ( CCOM ), is the 2024 Early Career Scholar of the Year . The award honors assistant professors who are currently involved in research, scholarship, and/or creative activity and show promise of making a significant contribution to their field. 

As a physician scientist, Byrne continues to care for patients while developing novel biomedical therapies for cancer, finding inspiration in everything from latte foam to tardigrades. In his first two years as faculty at the UI, he has earned more that $2.5M in external research funding, including a K08 award from the NIH.

“Dr. Byrne’s scientific creativity stems from both an active and curious mind as well as his ability to bridge diverse fields from engineering to biology to medicine,” said Michael Henry, professor and interim director of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. “These interdisciplinary boundaries are where some of the most interesting and important work is happening today.”

Donna Santillan , research professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Science Research in the CCOM Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, received the Leadership in Research Award , which recognizes research and scholarly accomplishments throughout a career. 

While Santillan’s research has spanned across the field of reproductive science, she has a particular interest in the deadly diseases of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and its intergenerational effects. She designed and directs the Women’s Health Tissue Repository. Santillan’s work has been cited more than 2,700 times, and she has mentored 114 early career scientists and students, a testament to her expansive impact.

“Dr. Santillan has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering the professional and personal development of trainees in research, including myself,” said Banu Gumusoglu, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology. “Her mentorship extends beyond the confines of traditional academic settings, touching the lives of many aspiring trainees from high school through residency, clinical fellowship, and faculty levels.”

Stephen Warren , professor of history and American studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), received the Distinguished Achievement in Publicly Engaged Research Award . The award recognizes an individual faculty member who has put addressing public needs and direct engagement with the public, in the service of improving quality of life through research, at the forefront of his or her academic activities.

A prolific scholar of Native American culture, Warren’s research has centered on the Shawnee people of Oklahoma for the past two decades. He has published four books and co-authored the most recent one , Replanting Cultures: Community-Engaged Scholarship in Indian Country, with Chief Benjamin Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe. 

“Over the last two decades, Professor Warren has established himself as a leading community-engaged scholar, and his achievements in research and publishing demonstrate that community engagement and strong scholarship are not mutually exclusive,” said Nick Benson, director of the Office of Community Engagement. “Professor Warren’s work serves as an inspiration for researchers at Iowa and nationally who seek not only to make a difference in academia, but also in our communities.”

Kaveh Akbar , associate professor of English in CLAS, received the Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Humanities Research Award . This award honors distinguished achievement in humanities scholarship and work in the creative, visual and performing arts. 

Akbar joined Iowa in 2022 to serve as the director of the English and creative writing major. In January, his new novel, Martyr!, was published to critical acclaim. Akbar previously published two prize-winning poetry collections and has served as poetry editor for The Nation  since 2021. 

“Akbar’s leadership in the profession and on campus continues: his transformative work in our department not only enriches the academic experiences of 700+ English and creative writing majors, but also enhances the profile of UI as ‘The Writing University,’” said Blaine Greteman, professor and departmental executive officer of the Department of English.

Cara Hamann , associate professor of epidemiology, received the Faculty Communicating ideas Award . This award recognizes excellence in communication about research and scholarship in the sciences and humanities and the study of creative, visual, and performing arts to a general audience directly or via print and electronic media.

Hamann has frequently shared her work on transportation issues, including teen driving, bike and scooter safety, and pedestrian safety, through peer-reviewed journals and extensive media outreach. Her recent op-ed, “The most deadly traffic policy you’ve never heard of leaves you vulnerable, too,” drew widespread attention to a legal loophole in crosswalk laws and appeared in more than 50 news outlets nationwide, including USA Today .

“Dr. Hamann’s work is not only academically rigorous but also accessible and impactful to a

wide audience,” said Diane Rohlman, associate dean for research in the College of Public Health. “Her ability to communicate with clarity, creativity, and passion coupled with her extensive media outreach, exemplifies how she utilizes multiple approaches to address transportation challenges impacting society.”

Bob McMurray , F. Wendell Miller Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Caroline Clay , assistant professor of acting in the Department of Theatre Arts, were recipients of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Distinguished Mentor Awards . The awards honors mentors’ dedication to making their students research experiences successful.

“I can’t imagine my research journey without Bob’s welcoming kindness, thriving lab community, and confident mentorship, and I am so deeply grateful for his impact on me,” said Hannah Franke, a psychology and linguistics major mentored by McMurray.

“I know I am far from the only student whose life has been impacted by Caroline Clay,” said Isabella Hohenadel, a second-year theatre arts major. “She deserves to be recognized of all of the wonderful work she does and how much she cares about us as students. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition than her.”

Staff Awards

Angie Robertson , department administrator for CCOM’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, received the Distinguished Research Administrator Award . The award recognizes staff members who performed exceptional service in support of research at the UI by exploring funding opportunities, assisting in grant proposal preparation, submission, post-award administration, and operational support. 

In addition to overseeing every aspect of daily operations for the department, Robertson manages nearly 100 research grants for the department and three longstanding NIH T32 training grants. 

“Angie plays a leading role in our department office, inspiring us to achieve all aspects of our missions ,” said Li Wu, professor and department chair. “She is innovative, collaborative, accountable, and respectful  in her daily work. She exceeds any expectations and sets a great example for staff members in the department.”

Min Zhu , research specialist in the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research (IIOHR) within the College of Dentistry, received the Distinguished Research Professional Award . The award recognizes staff members who performed exceptional service in support of research at the UI by conducting experiments, collecting, and analyzing results and performing operational duties associated with a laboratory or research program. 

Zhu has worked as a lab bench scientist in the College of Dentistry since 2006, executing experimental work for grants and other research, working closely with IIOHR faculty members, overseeing lab maintenance and environmental health and safety efforts. 

“Beyond her research skills, Dr. Zhu has been an exceptional mentor and educator for my students and other junior researchers,” said Liu Hong, professor of prosthodontics. “Her kindness and willingness to share her knowledge have made her a beloved figure among them.”

Curtis Iberg , manager of sterilization services in the College of Dentistry, received the Innovation in Safety Award, which celebrates exceptional and ground-breaking innovations that advance safety at the UI. Iberg led a major renovation of the College of Dentistry’s instrument processing and sterilization area, with the aim of encouraging better workflow and support for future growth. 

“His innovations in workspace are a valuable asset to the greater University and demonstrates that the most important people to be involved in a space renovation are those that use the area because they can see how the facility can better function and how it can be designed for future needs,” said Kecia Leary, associate dean of clinics.