Hello again, friends—and happy Halloween!
Sending next month’s prompts out a day early for the overachievers. Stay safe out there tonight. x
I hope everyone has been enjoying fall so far. I never thought I’d be a person whose favorite season means it’s dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, but here we are. Somewhere along the way—or as I’ve gotten older, and have become more of a homebody—I fell in love with the quiet evenings, the crisp air, and the general permission to slow down. Oh, and my favorite part… it’s crock pot season! And candle season. And sweater-and-boots-and-get-in-bed-early season. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m all in on fall.
I don’t know about you, but for me, November has always felt like the pause between two chapters. The rush of summer is long gone, and even fall starts to slow down a little. There’s something about the early sunsets and quieter nights that makes reflection feel easier. Over the past couple of months, I’ve gotten into the rhythm of sharing journaling prompts for the month ahead—so naturally, I put together a new set for November too.
ICYMI: Journaling prompts for September & October.
November’s theme is grounded gratitude.
Not forced positivity or “look on the bright side” energy—just awareness. The ability to see what’s quietly sustaining you, even if things aren’t ideal. Gratitude, not as performance, but as presence. A way of saying, this is what truly matters to me.
So here are 30 prompts for November: one for each day, or for whenever you want to reconnect with yourself. Think of them as small anchors for your attention, tiny reminders to look closer at the things that keep you human—and make you, you.
As always, take what serves you, leave what doesn’t—and write like nobody’s watching.
Week 1 — Simple Thanks
Start with the small things. The quiet comforts. The easy-to-miss ones that make life feel a little softer.
What’s something small that’s been making your days easier lately?
Which part of your daily routine quietly brings you comfort?
What are three things you never want to take for granted?
Who has made your life gentler this year—and have you told them?
What’s something your younger self hoped for that you now have?
How do you define “enough” right now?
What ordinary moment from this week felt unexpectedly meaningful?
When you start paying attention to the small, steady things, your nervous system recalibrates. Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand; it can be noticing how your coffee tastes on a good morning, or how someone always remembers to check in. Documenting these things helps reorient your attention toward what’s already working, so when chaos inevitably hits, you’ve already trained yourself to see stability.
