There are some days in life when we just wake up and look back on everything that has happened so far and feel very strongly about where we’re at. Maybe that strong feeling is positive or maybe it’s indifferent or upsetting, but whether it’s a good feeling or a bad one, it can help us grow as a person.

Using your journal to write about experiences does a lot more than simply letting you get it off your chest. The idea of a journal is that you can reflect on experiences to gain a greater understanding of who you are as a person and why you act the way you do. It can also help you improve yourself, if you’re honest with your entries.

No one is perfect, but those who strive to be better are one step higher in life in that they find themselves enjoying things more. Journals can help you with a lot of things: stress, boredom, and even overcoming difficulties you are facing by helping you see yourself and the things around you differently. A journal can end up being a very inspiring and strengthening pursuit, if you find meaningful topics to write about.

Here are some ideas to put you on the right path that focus on past events:

1. “I shouldn’t have done that.” Reflect on experiences where you realize you could have handled things differently, like a time when you should have fessed up to your mistake or admitted you simply didn’t know better. Do more than just write what happened, reflect on it so you can learn how to better handle future situations where you’re unsure of the right answer.
2. “I should have helped.” Has there ever been a time when you knew you should have stepped in and helped with something but you stopped yourself? Was it fear, anxiety, shyness, embarrassment, jealousy, or some other emotion? Writing through it will help you grow and become a better person.
3. “I should have listened.” Write about a time when you were told not to do something or how to do something and then you ended up disregarding that advice. What happened? Why didn’t you listen? Did you think they were wrong? What lesson did you learn from that experience?

Here are some ideas that focus on the now and future:

1. “I will be a kinder person.” Today is a new day, which means new opportunities to make an impact on the world around you. Commit to one kind gesture that requires face-to-face action, like holding open a door or volunteering.
2. “I will be a bolder person.” Commit to doing something you never thought you would. Look at up an event that’s outside your comfort zone and attend it confidently. It can open up new doors that you never thought possible.
3. “I will be the bigger person.” Next time someone says something rude or upsets you, rather than getting into an argument or getting your feelings hurt, commit to being the bigger person and apologizing sincerely. You’d be amazed how it will make you feel, and even how it can impact the other person.

Write about the above prompts honestly. Remember, journals aren’t censored and they’re for your eyes only unless you decide to share. Never be afraid to tell the full story–it’s for your own benefit!