November journal prompts: a prompt for every day

How to use these November journal prompts

November is a natural gratitude month in the US, with Thanksgiving near the end. The daily prompts build toward it. Early in the month they look at change and endings. Later they turn to family, food and thanks. If the holidays are hard for you this year, the quiet late fall set is a softer place to write.

30 November journal prompts: one for each day

Each number matches the date in November. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday, so move prompts 24 to 27 to fit the holiday week.

Days 1 to 7

1. November begins. What are you most thankful for right this minute?Write
2. The clocks fall back around now in most of the US. How do darker evenings change your mood and routine?Write
3. Describe a tree that has lost its leaves. What does it make you think about?Write
4. Write about a hard season that left you stronger.Write
5. Who is someone you have never properly thanked? What would you say?Write
6. How does your body feel in cold, gray weather, and what does it need?Write
7. Write about a meal that brought your whole family together.Write

Days 8 to 14

1. What is one small luxury you are grateful for every day?Write
2. Write about a time someone gave you more than you expected.Write
3. What is a tradition you would like to start this holiday season?Write
4. It is Veterans Day. Write about a veteran you know, or what you would say to thank one.Write
5. What is something hard you are grateful for anyway?Write
6. Describe the coat, boots or hat you wear most this month and where they have taken you.Write
7. What is a lesson you learned from an older relative?Write

Days 15 to 21

1. You are halfway through November. Who have you thanked so far this month, and who is next?Write
2. Write about a friend who feels like family.Write
3. What part of the holidays do you look forward to, and what part do you dread?Write
4. What would you like to give someone this year that cannot be bought?Write
5. Write about the first frost, the first snow flurry, or the first time you saw your breath this year.Write
6. What do you have now that you once prayed or hoped for?Write
7. Which skill or ability are you grateful to have?Write

Days 22 to 28

1. Write about a holiday when something went wrong and it became a funny story.Write
2. What does generosity look like in your daily life?Write
3. Who will you be thinking of this Thanksgiving who will not be at the table?Write
4. Write about cooking with someone you love. What do you make together?Write
5. What is on your Thanksgiving table, or what would be on your dream one?Write
6. Write about the day after Thanksgiving. Do you rest, shop, or do something else?Write
7. What is one way you can give back before the year ends?Write

Days 29 and 30

1. List 30 things you are grateful for, one for each day of this month.Write
2. Look back on November. What did gratitude change for you this month?Write

Thanksgiving journal prompts

Use these before, during or after the holiday. Older kids can answer them too.

1. What did Thanksgiving look like at your house when you were young?Write
2. Write about the person who always hosts. What do they do that makes it feel like home?Write
3. What dish could you not imagine Thanksgiving without, and why?Write
4. If everyone at your table shared one thing they are thankful for, what would you say?Write
5. Write about a Thanksgiving you spent away from home.Write
6. What are you thankful for this year that you did not have last year?Write
7. Describe the moment during the holiday when you felt most at peace.Write
8. Who could you invite this year who might otherwise eat alone?Write
9. Write a thank you letter to someone who will be at your table this year.Write
10. Write a short prayer or blessing you could say before the meal.Write

Everyday gratitude journal ideas for November

Gratitude is not only for one Thursday. For a full set, see our gratitude journal prompts, or start a gratitude journal of your own.

1. What is something ordinary you used today that you would hate to live without?Write
2. Write about a sound you are grateful for.Write
3. Who made your life easier this week without you asking?Write
4. What is a place you are grateful exists?Write
5. What is one thing about your health you are thankful for today?Write
6. Write about a mistake you are grateful you made.Write
7. What is something about your personality you are thankful for?Write
8. Which book, song or show helped you through a hard time?Write
9. What is one simple pleasure you enjoyed today?Write
10. Who taught you to say thank you, and how?Write
11. What is something you are grateful for in a person you find difficult?Write
12. Write about a gift you received that meant more than its price.Write

Quiet late fall journal prompts

For gray afternoons and early darkness.

1. What feels bare in your life right now, and is that a bad thing?Write
2. Describe the sky at five o'clock this evening.Write
3. What do you want to rest from before the holidays get busy?Write
4. Write about a quiet moment you had alone this week.Write
5. What would help you feel less tired this month?Write
6. Which feelings come up for you as the year gets closer to its end?Write
7. What is the hardest part of the holidays for you, and what could make it gentler?Write
8. What do you want to say no to this holiday season?Write
9. If November had a color for you this year, what would it be? Why?Write
10. What does peace look like for you over the next six weeks?Write

More November journal ideas

• Write one thing you are grateful for each day, and read the whole list on Thanksgiving.
• Make a gratitude jar: write notes on slips of paper, then copy the best ones into your journal.
• Record family recipes and the stories behind them.
• Write thank you notes to people and keep a copy in your journal.
• Bring your thanks to God with our prayer journal prompts.

Tips for journaling in November

• Keep a short list going. Even on days you skip the prompt, write three things you are thankful for.
• Ask at the table. On Thanksgiving, ask your family one prompt, then write their answers down later.
• Use the dark evenings. Make writing part of how you wind down. Our reflective journal prompts work well at night.
• Be gentle with grief. Holidays can stir up loss. If that is you this year, our grief journal prompts are kind and private.
• Keep going in December. When November ends, continue with December journal prompts.

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