Journaling Prompts for When You Don’t Know Who You Are Anymore
There are seasons in life where you look in the mirror and wonder: who am I now?
Maybe the kids have grown up, your health has changed, or life simply doesn’t look the way it used to. The roles and labels that once defined you don’t fit anymore, and you’re left with a big question mark.
That’s where journaling can help. Writing gives you a way to explore yourself gently, without pressure or judgement. You don’t need the answers straight away — you just need a place to start asking the questions.
Here are some journaling prompts for when you feel lost and don’t quite know who you are anymore.
1. What labels or roles have I outgrown?
Write down the identities you’ve carried — parent, partner, employee, caregiver — and ask which ones still feel true, and which no longer fit.
2. What activities make me feel most like me?
Think of the moments where you feel lit up, grounded, or at peace. They’re clues to your authentic self.
3. What parts of myself have I put on the shelf?
Is there a creative side, a passion, or a dream you set aside for practicality? Explore what it would feel like to pick it up again.
4. What do I want more of in my daily life?
Not the big, sweeping life plans — just the little things. More rest? More laughter? More time outside?
5. What would I say to my younger self?
Sometimes talking to a past version of ourselves reveals the wisdom we’ve carried all along.
6. Who do I want to be five years from now?
Don’t overthink it — just let your pen wander. Future-you doesn’t need to be “successful” or “perfect.” Just authentic.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to have all the answers. Journaling is about curiosity, not conclusions. If you don’t know who you are anymore, that’s okay — you’re in the middle of rewriting your story.
And sometimes, the act of writing is the first step to finding yourself again.
If you’d like more gentle prompts to guide you through this kind of self-discovery, my Finding My True North Journal is designed to help you tune out the noise and reconnect with yourself.