Bedtime Diary Prompts

2024, May 9

Creative Writing For Mental Health

Almost every night just before sleeping, I write down a few good moments and visual snapshots of the day in my Bedtime Diary. This practice helps me take something pleasant into my sleep and gives me something joyful to think about when I wake up.  I developed this routine when I was struggling emotionally and I desperately needed something to shift my mind at night (For the night is dark and full of terrors) Over time, I've noticed that not only does this practice nourish my mental health, but it also enriches my creative writing. Many of the snippets I create at bedtime find their way into my other texts. Though it is very important for me not to aim for producing valuable snippets of writing because that shifts away from the original purpose: to capture and create a pleasant good night feeling.

Prompt 1: Good Moments of the Day

• Write down 1-4 moments that were good (enough) today.

• This can be a moment when

  you felt a connection

  you experienced flow

  you accomplished something

  something made you smile or laugh

  you felt like life is doing you a favor

  you felt relieved

  you felt joy

Prompt 2: Sensual Details of My Favourite Vibe Today

• Write down a kind of delicious vibe or mood from today that you‘d like to carry with you into your sleep

• Capture the sensory details associated with that mood:

  visual details

  sounds

  scents

  flavours

  tactile feel

  bodily sensations

Prompt 3: Visual Snapshots of the Day

• Capture 5 visual snapshots of the day. They can be very small, as long as they feel beautiful to you.

• Example: ……Jacaranda flowers float on puddles, some final leftovers from spring in November. At home, my sunnies cast a Coca-Cola-colored shadow on the wall, and I let myself fall into bed where dark blue siesta sleep starts creeping into my tired muscles. Later, a waiter sets a sizzling plate on our table, and its steam fills the air, blending with the light of red lanterns… (excerpt from my bedtime diary)

Prompt 4: First Thoughts When Waking Up

• Complete the sentence:

  »Tomorrow when I wake up, the first thing I want to think of to buoy my mood:…«

  what else?

  what else?

  what else?

• Example: »I want to think of my new running shoes, remember that I cleaned the kitchen, and look forward to the global conference on Friday…«

• Note: It can be pretty mundane. This might be the least poetic prompt — but who knows. A lot of times I only see the poetic aspects in hindsight when I scroll through all my diary entries.