Writing is a great tool for personal growth, but it can be challenging to think of what to write about yourself. That’s why I put together this list of creative writing prompts for adults or teens. These may be used as memoir writing prompts if you’re interested in telling the story of your life, or the could be idea starters for blog posts or journal prompts for self discovery.

You may not be able to relate to all of them, but I tried to make them pretty general! These creative writing exercises can also help you develop the characters in your short story, novel, or screenplay — just imagine your character answering them instead of you.

If you like these prompts for writing about yourself, you might want to pin or bookmark them for future reference. Take a look!

Describe one of your earliest childhood memories. Write about what you see as one of your best qualities. Do you have the same religious beliefs that you had as a child? If so, why? If not, how and why did they change?

Write about the benefits of being an only child—or the advantages of having siblings. Write about how a person can tell if they’re really in love. If you don’t know, write about how you don’t know. Are you shy about your body, such as when you change clothes in a locker room? Or are you comfortable with it? Why? Describe your favorite spot in your home, and why you like it. Write about one of the most admirable classmates or coworkers you’ve ever had. Write about one of the worst classmates or coworkers you’ve ever had. Tell your story about the time you succeeded at something because you just. Didn’t. Give. Up. Write about how you’re a typical resident of your city or town… or about how you’re different from most people there. Write about how you fit the stereotype of people from your country… or about how you don’t fit it at all. Describe your favorite toy or game when you were five years old. Write about one of your most useful talents. What superstitions do you believe in or follow? Do you do certain things to avoid bad luck, or make wishes in certain ways? Write about a death in your family. Write about a birth in your family. Tell your story about how you made a friend in the past five years or so. How did you meet them? What do you like about them? Tell your story about your first best friend as a child. How did you meet them? How did you play together? Describe a physical feature of yours that you really like. Is your home usually neat, or usually messy? Why is that? Do you think it matters? Why or why not? Describe a part of your job or everyday work that you love. Describe a part of your job or everyday work that you loathe. Tell your story about how you won something, like a contest, a game, or a raffle. Do you think your hometown is a good place to live? Why or why not? Do you fit your astrological sign? Why or why not? Write about when you think it’s morally acceptable to lie. If your answer is “never,” write about why you think that. Write about a trait you inherited or picked up from a parent. Write about a way in which you are very different from a parent. Discuss one of the most important qualities you think people should look for in a romantic partner. Discuss a quality that you think is overrated when choosing a romantic partner. Write about a kind of exercise or physical activity you enjoy. Describe the contents of a desk drawer or junk drawer in your home, and write about the thoughts or memories that the objects in there inspire.

Write about what you wish people knew about your job, profession, or calling in life. Write about a habit or addiction that you’ve been struggling with for years. Write about an external situation that you’ve been struggling with for years. Discuss something you love about the people in your country. Discuss something you wish you could change about the people in your country. What was something you misunderstood as a child? It could be the definition of a word, or something about adult life. Describe the benefits of being an introvert or an extrovert (whichever one you are.) Describe the challenges of being an introvert or an extrovert (whichever one you are.) Tell your story about the time you spoke up for something you believed in. How did it feel? Were there any consequences? If you don’t have children – do you or did you want them? Why or why not? If you have children – what is one thing that surprised you about being a parent? Tell your story about when a friend (or a group of them) made your day. Tell your story about when a friend (or a group of them) broke your heart. Describe an experience at a doctor’s office, dentist’s office, or hospital. Describe your dream home in detail. Tell your story about how a teacher, coach, or boss supported or inspired you. Tell your story about how a teacher, coach, or boss was so awful, they didn’t deserve to have their job. Write about something you did in the past year that made you proud. Do you live in the city you grew up in? Why or why not? Tell your story about a trip or a visit you enjoyed when you were little. In what ways do you fit the stereotypes of your gender, and in what ways do you differ from the stereotypes? Discuss whether you think people should share their religious beliefs openly, or whether they should keep it private. Discuss why you do or don’t consider pets to be family members. Describe what you think would be a perfect romantic date. Write about a type or style of clothing that you feel uncomfortable wearing, or that you simply dislike. Describe your personal style in clothing and whether it’s changed over the years. Write about the worst house or apartment you’ve ever lived in. Tell your story about a time when, rightly or wrongly, you got in trouble at school or at work. Do you always vote in elections? Why or why not? Do you think people make snap judgments about you based on your appearance? Are they accurate or not? What’s something that people don’t learn about your personality unless they get to know you very well? Write about something that terrified you as a child. Write about a particular phobia or fear you have now. If you’re not scared of anything, write about that!

Write about something you believe that isn’t a particularly popular belief. What’s something you wanted badly as a child? Did you get it? If so, was it everything you hoped? If not, did it matter? When you’re feeling sad or down, what are ways that you make yourself feel better? What is something that makes you almost irrationally angry? Write about an object you own that has religious, spiritual, or symbolic significance to you. If you were a billionaire, what gifts would you give to your immediate family? Do you consider yourself hopeful or cynical about romance? Why? Write a note apologizing to a part of your body for insulting it in the past. Write a note thanking a part of your body for doing such a good job. Tell your story about when you had a delightful guest in your home. Tell your story about when you had an unwelcome visitor in your home. Describe the time you were a guest in an unusual home. What was the strangest course or class you ever took? Write about a time when you tried your best – and it didn’t pan out. How did you get over it? Write about a small thing you accomplished this week. Write about the ways that your hometown has changed over the years. Write about a way your country is changing for the better. Describe someone who bullied you as a child. Why do you think they did it? Do you believe that things happen for a reason, or do they just happen randomly? Why do you think this? Do you believe that you have a lot of control over your destiny or future? Why or why not? Write down a funny story that your family likes to tell again and again. What do you consider to be “deal breakers” in a marriage or romantic relationship? Tell your story about a time you got injured or you were in an accident. Write about some of the things you do at home when you’re completely alone. Tell your story about how you learned a new skill. Describe the way you get to school or to work every day. Propose a frivolous or ridiculous law that you would like to implement, and explain your reasoning. Write about something you did (or didn’t do) that you’re proud of from a moral or religious standpoint. Tell your story about having a great time at a party. Tell your story about a party you wish you had never attended or hosted. Write about a tattoo you have and its significance, a tattoo you would like to get… or why you would never, ever get a tattoo. Tell a story that has to do with your hair, or the lack of it. Write about a feud or rift in your family. If you had a whole day free of responsibilities or chores, how would you spend it?

Do you have advice for how to write about yourself, or some more ideas for journal prompts for self discovery? Let us know in the comments!

If you want to do more self-discovery and you could use a fresh start right about now, check out my journal, The Book Of Dreams Come True! It’s a journal about goals and manifestation, and I’m really excited to share it with you!

If you’re not sure it’s right for you, you can download a free sample right here!

Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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