10 deeper self reflection prompts to say out loud

What are deeper self reflection prompts?

The usual check-in questions (how was your week, what are you tired of) are a fine start. Some days you want something bigger. These ten ask about what you want, what you keep agreeing to and what you are ready to put down.

They are made to be said out loud, about a minute each. That is long enough to get past the first, polite answer. If you use a voice journal like Dearly, it writes the page for you while you talk.

What deep questions can you ask yourself?

Questions about what you want, what you keep agreeing to and what you are ready to put down. Take the first one that makes you pause.

1. What do I keep saying yes to when I mean no?
2. What do I want more of in my days?
3. Whose opinion do I think about more than I should?
4. What would I try if I knew I wouldn’t look silly?
5. What did I believe a year ago that I don’t believe now?
6. What am I good at that I don’t give myself credit for?
7. What am I still holding on to that I could let go of?
8. When do I feel most at ease, and who or what is around me?
9. What would I tell the me from five years ago?
10. What do I want my next month to feel like?

How do you use these prompts?

• One a day is plenty. These are bigger questions, so give each its own day instead of working through the list.
• Say the first answer, then the second. The first one is usually the safe one. The second is the one worth hearing.
• Skip the ones that don’t land. If a question feels like nothing today, move on. It may feel different next month.
• Take your time starting. A few quiet seconds before you speak is part of the minute.

Related: more journaling prompts to say out loud · the complete voice journaling guide · Dearly, the voice journal.