23 Journal Prompts For Processing Trauma

Posted on May 22, 2023 | 0 comments

Healing from trauma is tricky filled with ups and downs and all kinds of unexpected emotions. It can be complex and sometimes last a lifetime. The good news is that there are many tools you can store in your Conscious Toolbox that will help along the way. Writing is one of them and can be one of the more powerful tools you can use to help ease this process.

Journaling regularly has been proven to help regulate your emotions, calm you down, and to process uncomfortable thoughts and memories. By utilizing journal prompts, your journaling can ultimately guide you to coming to terms with your past, your trauma and allow your inner child to feel safe and secure.

Because I have personally experienced the benefit of journaling, I created this list of 23 journal prompts for processing trauma in hopes of inspiring you to ty it too!

23 Journal Prompts For Processing Trauma

What is your happiest childhood memory? And your scariest? Have you remained close to anyone from your childhood?
The way I feel about myself today is…
When you were going though trauma, did you realize it at the time? If not, when did you discover this?
Are you still holding onto emotions from the past? Which ones specifically?
Write about your triggers, the things that set you off, make you feel uncomfortable or just hurt.
Do you have any habits or behaviors that you find are not serving you? Where do those habits come from?
If your friends were planning a surprise party for you and you snuck in unseen while they were getting everything ready, what kinds of things would you like for them to be saying about you? What do you think they would say about you?
In what ways do you feel your trauma has impacted your current behaviors and thought processes?
Do you experience hypervigilance – are you constantly assessing threats around you? What brings these feelings on the most?
Are there any ways you feel you have grown stronger from your trauma since you began your healing journey?
Are you holding onto anger or resentment towards the situation or person that caused your trauma? Write a bit about your feelings, explore them here.
Do you ever downplay or ridicule what you’ve experienced? Why do think that is?
Write about the steps you are taking to create healthy coping strategies.
In what ways have your moved forward or made progress since learning about your trauma?
What are your favorite self-care activities?
When you interact with others, do you overshare or stay very private? Why do you think that is?
What is a negative core belief you have? Can you find evidence showing you that it is not true?
Have you developed limiting beliefs? What are they? Can you find the evidence to show that they are not true and only holding you back?
What are 5 things, people or places that make you feel safe?
What is the number 1 trauma response you are working on and what steps are you taking to heal them?
Do you dream or have nightmares? Write about them today, noting any common themes.
What fears are you holding onto from your childhood? What have they created for you in adulthood?
Do you think your trauma is holding you back from leading a fulfilling life?