The 31 Most Effective New Year Journal Prompts to Renew and Reset Your Mind

This blog post is all about the new year journal.

Want guidance on how to start a new year journaling? These are the exact new year journal prompts that I use to renew my mind at the top of every year.

At the start of every year, I make a plan or a goal for the year. Typically these resolutions or goals are made without a framework to keep us focused. If you own a business or are up on trends, you set the vision for the year in January with a vision board of some sort. Writing down a plan or journaling is essential to staying on track.

For this reason, the month of January has the theme of RENEWAL. We will use these new year journal prompts for renewal to restart and reset our focus for the coming year.

This blog post is all about the most effective new year journal prompts to renew and reset your mind.

(Note: This blog post includes affiliate links. This means that I’ll receive a small commission if your purchase through one of these links at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure policy here.)

How to Start a New Year Journal

For this month and for the months to come, we will write out the prompts and set up the sections for us to use over the course of the year. (Note: If you want to start using this now, GO FOR IT. I plan on starting in January because I am finishing out my old one. You can start with these journal prompts on renewal this week and have a jump on the new year or new venture!)

Setting Up A New Year Journal

Step 1 – Write a letter to yourself

Starting on the first page, leave a note for yourself. This is something that I wish I had done on my first experience, but did not. In this note, talk about some goals you plan to hit or some things you’d like to work on personally.

If there is something you’ve always wished you’d done before, write it down. This can be something you visit throughout the year and see how you’ve worked toward that goal or how your goals have changed. Either way, this will be your open letter to yourself and will guide what things are covered in your journaling throughout the years.

This is essential for new year journal prompts goal setting.

Step 2 – Leave a few blank pages

After you write your letter, be sure to leave at least 3 blank pages. This is important because over the years, you may want to add to your letter or talk about the things you are able to say you’ve completed in this area.

This can become somewhat of a progress monitor and you want to have room to write everything down when it comes to this open letter to yourself.

Step 3 (optional) – Create a Month Intro Page

In my previous journal, I just made a header for the month and started the questions right away. This is totally fine. I realized, though, that I used the first day of the month to set goals for the month. It’s important to think about the month ahead before the month begins. Use this space to write out a plan or to decorate.

Step 4 – Start copying prompts (and scriptures)

This is where the math that you swore you never needed in school comes in. Starting after the blank pages, you want to start your journal. If you decide to do the intro, leave extra space. If not, copy the prompts and leave space to answer the prompt (at least 2 lines). I’ve put asterisks next to ones you may need more space for.

Another option is to just write the prompts each day. That way, you always have enough space for each response.

The scriptures can be written as a page to keep in your journal or used as memory verses for the month. I plan to do both.

For the end of the month review, remember to leave space for a reflection or memory journaling (aka Currently).

Essential New Year Journal Supplies

1. Best Journals for the New Year

Long term New year journal setup

I typically use a Filofax for my journal prompts for the new year. My Malden style journals (A5 or half letter and personal) have held up for years and they have gotten well loved and soft.

I am able to take out the old pages and store them. It is also easier for me to print new journal pages than it is to find another journal every year.

Malden A5 | Malden Personal | Saffiano Personal | The Original Personal | Domino Personal

short term New year journal setup

If you are new to journaling, I would go with a less expensive option. Amazon has several styles of one-time use journals that can be used if you prefer to store the entire journal at the end of the year.

Paperage Hardcover (160 pgs) | Joyeux Harcover (160 pgs) | 2 Pack (365 pgs each) | 3 Pack Paperage

2. Supplies for New Year Journaling

When it comes to supplies for your new year journal, you can be as extra or as minimal as you would like.

Pens and highlighters are a necessity for journaling. I tend to change up the color each month so that it keeps thing interesting. Here are a couple of my favorites:

I love stickers for journaling. Something about new year journaling pages makes me want to decorate. It could be the excitement. I could be that I’m a sticker hoarder and need to use them at some point. These are some old faithfuls that I have used over the years:

Month Stickers | Month Tabs | Quote Stickers

Washi Tape is always fun for starting a journal. It can correct mistakes and cover edges. If you’re not a fan of tabs, you can use washi tape to decorate edges of a new month. There are so many options for washi tape. I’d suggest getting a couple sets and using them for each new year journal spread or setup.

Solid Thin Washi Tape | Solid Thick Washi Tape | Grid Washi Tape | Patterned Washi Tape

Journal Prompts for the New Year

How did you celebrate the New Year?
Write an affirmation you can say to yourself every day this year. * Write this same affirmation on a post – it or on your mirror to keep with you
What is your why?
What is your number one goal for this year?
What is a word that can be the theme for your life this year?
Rate your thought discipline from 1 – 10.
What new habit are you forming?
What relationship are you planning to restore?
How do you rest and/or relax?
What does your self-care look like?
What habit are you breaking?
The three areas I plan to focus on this year are…
Do you feel balance?
Which of your strengths is most likely to help you reach your goals?
What is something you are letting go of this year?
List 3 things you want to accomplish in the next 6 months.
What part of your legacy will be solidified this year?*
What can you do to stay accountable to you this year?
Name one thing you’ve wanted to do but never tried.
What gives you the most energy?
What needs to be in your routine?
What’s the first thing you can do to make your ideal routine reality?
What can you improve to better help you reach your goals this year?
I will start believing … this year
I will stop believing … this year
What is a negative emotional trigger for you?
What is something that evokes a positive emotional response?
How have you protected your values this week?
What positive changes have you made this month?
How can you redirect self-focused/self-defeating thoughts?
This month has taught me:

*May need extra space

Use this optional prompt at the end of month. If you want to track any other memories, add them at the end of the month. This isn’t the primary focus, but it’s always fun to keep fun memories.

Scriptures To Renew Your Thinking in the New Year

Along with the New Years resolution journal prompts, I like the write scriptures that reinforce the ideas and thoughts that come to mind. There are many scriptures to choose from, but these are the ones I selected to go along with the new year journaling ideas listed above.

Journal Ideas New Year Writing Prompts

Of all the new year journaling ideas, these can be some of the most insightful reflections a person can have. Since this requires discipline and consistency, ask yourself what you’ll benefit from keeping a journal over the next year and years to come. In what ways can you help achieve your goals by keeping up with this activity? How will this help you renew your perspective?

New Year Journal Template

Setting up this project will take time. If you are going all out, it could take a couple of weeks to do each month. Be creative and take ownership.

Add more prompts if you’d like or just start with these 31 Most Effective New Year Journal Prompts to Renew and Reset Your Mind. Just make sure that you are doing this for you and expect that you’ll uncover some truths about you and document some of your greatest accomplishments. You’ll have a new outlook on what life encompasses and my hope is that harnesses some to the beauty found with in it.

If I haven’t said it already, I’m proud of you for taking this on with me! Be sure to share anything you come up with (here or on Insta)!

The 31 Most Effective New Year Journal Prompts to Renew and Reset Your Mind