November Journaling Ideas (with Printables)

We’ve curated our November journaling ideas and calendars into one place, so you can pick and choose the journaling activities that are just right for you.

Especially with Thanksgiving at the end of the month, November is a great month for gratitude and appreciating all the good things in life. We also have lots of different journaling ideas for reflection, being present, thinking about both this year and the next, and plenty more.

You can get all the calendars as printables to print out and use for guidance alongside your daily journaling.

One-Word Journaling

Our one-word journaling is all about quick and creative journaling without an end goal. It’s a great way to get started with journaling.

• Radiance
• Unity
• Bravery
• Innovation
• Fulfillment
• Enthusiasm
• Imagination
• Excellence
• Confidence
• Collaboration
• Discovery
• Honesty
• Miracle
• Brightness
• Companionship
• Aspiration
• Community
• Justice
• Potential
• Intelligence
• Originality
• Sparkle
• Triumph
• Gentleness
• Energy
• Thanksgiving
• Gifts
• Fairness
• Resourcefulness
• Playfulness

Morning Journaling

• Your top three goals for the month.
• One positive habit to work on this month.
• People you want to reconnect with this week.
• One thing (you’ve been putting off) to work on today.
• Things you’re looking forward to today.
• One thing to do to step out of your comfort zone today.
• Fun activities you’re looking forward to this weekend.
• Family and friends you want to catch up with.
• Your weekend highlights.
• One simple thing you’d be happy to achieve this week.
• Weekend trips you could go on.
• One kind thing you could do for someone today.
• One king thing to do for yourself today or this weekend.
• Last time you had a lot of fun and how you can recreate that.
• Your favorite things so far this fall.
• Things you still want to do before the end of the season.
• Something that inspired you lately.
• A happy memory that comes to mind.
• One way life has been better recently.
• A recent achievement you’re proud of.
• One self-care activity to do this weekend.
• Things you’re looking forward to next week.
• One new thing to try today.
• Skills you want to work on this week.
• People you’re excited to see.
• Three things you’re grateful for today.
• One small thing to get for yourself today.
• Upcoming holidays and events you’re excited about.
• Something that’s brought you a lot of joy recently.
• Your favorite memory from this month.

Embracing How the Year Has Gone

November, being the penultimate month of the year, makes for an ideal time to look back at the year and try to embrace it as it was, which includes progress, setbacks, highs, lows, and everything else.

• Three positives from the year.
• A setback you didn’t anticipate and how you overcame/are overcoming it.
• Something you’re proud of that most people didn’t notice.
• How the year has shown you how resilient you are.
• Three things you’ve learned this year.
• Something positive you completely didn’t expect this year.
• Ordinary joys you’ve sometimes overlooked.
• Someone who was there for you this year.
• Your biggest achievement of the year so far and why.
• Routines or habits you’ve made progress on.
• Routines or habits you didn’t make progress on and why.
• Something the year has taught you about yourself.
• Something that didn’t go as expected this year, but you’re still grateful for.
• A way the year surprised you.
• Motivating words you’d say to yourself if you went back to the start of the year.
• Something you need to accept is taking longer than anticipated.
• In what ways the year has been ‘successful’ for you.
• Memorable stories from the year.
• What you’re thankful to your past self for doing this year.
• Goals you made some progress on, no matter how small.
• Goals that still excite you, even if you made little or no progress.
• Recount the people you’ve met with regularly or even once.
• Places you’ve been this year.
• Things that have required you to show patience this year.
• Something you’re ready to accept about the year.
• Ordinary things you’re grateful to have in your life.
• What inspired you this year.
• What you can take from this year into next year.
• Words to sum up the year.
• Moments from the year you felt like you were ‘living life’.

Self-Care Journaling

• If this year was a book, what this chapter would be called and the opportunities it may have.
• Cozy foods and dishes you like to make.
• Unseen work you do that needs more acknowledgement.
• Something you can treat yourself to on a cold evening.
• A sweet moment from the past week you overlooked.
• A song that inspires you to keep going.
• Even when cold, simple ways to get some fresh air.
• What can inspire you when you wake up in the morning.
• Someone you know or follow who makes you feel seen.
• Someone who taught you to be resilient and memories with them.
• Write about a profession you admire and the sacrifices they make.
• Someone you can reach out to on a cozy evening.
• One way you can be kind to someone and one way to yourself.
• What a fun night in with some friends would be.
• What you’re ready to leave behind this month to make room for something better.
• A time you were patient, even if it was challenging.
• A walk or drive that always clears your head or gives you clarity.
• What you’ve enjoyed about fall.
• A game from childhood you could play again with friends or family.
• A fond, funny memory from the year that makes you feel good.
• Someone you want to reconnect with before the end of the year.
• Who in your life do you appreciate and why.
• What matters to you, personally, when celebrating a holiday.
• A talent or unique trait that makes you ‘you’.
• What you love about each person you’ll be with tomorrow.
• Unspoken, everyday things you’re grateful for.
• Things you already have in your home that bring you joy.
• What makes your local area special over the holidays.
• A daily joy you’ll look out for every day in December.
• A simple way to take a break if there are a lot of people or social commitments.

‘Ordinary Things’ Gratitude Journaling

There are so many ordinary, day-to-day things we can overlook that bring a lot of joy and meaning into our lives. This month of gratitude journaling can help you identify and acknowledge some of those things.

Discover more about our ‘ordinary things’ November gratitude journaling and get the printable.

Evening Journaling

Get the November Evening Journaling printable here.

Positive Thought Journaling

Read the ideas and get the Positivity Thought Journaling printable here.

Being Present Journaling

Get the Being Present Journaling printable here.

Thanksgiving-Themed Journaling

• An ordinary but vivid memory of a past Thanksgiving.
• How past Thanksgivings were unique to your family.
• Family Thanksgiving and holiday traditions you’d like to continue.
• What you love most about gathering with other people.
• A particular family member you saw at Thanksgiving whose presence you treasured.
• Simple luxuries that can bring you joy this month.
• What you have an abundance of in your life right now.
• Ways you could let the people you care about most know that you appreciate them.
• How you could help someone this month.
• Communities you’re a part of and why.
• Places you can find community.
• A time someone supported you in an unexpected way.
• Simple things about your home that make it comfortable.
• People you feel ‘at home’ around.
• What you’re grateful to have learned this year.
• What you appreciate and love about the place you live.
• Someone who may need some encouragement from you today.
• A meal that tastes like ‘home’ and why.
• Memorable moments from past Thanksgivings.
• What you appreciate about life in this moment.
• Things you’d be excited to tell your younger self to look forward to, knowing what will happen.
• Sights you’re grateful for at Thanksgiving.
• Sounds you’re grateful for at Thanksgiving.
• Scents you’re grateful for at Thanksgiving.
• Tastes you’re grateful for at Thanksgiving.
• One thing you love about each person you’re with today.
• Someone you can’t be with at Thanksgiving whom you’re grateful for.
• Everyday things you overlook that, if you stop and pause, are wonderful.
• Someone who taught you the value of kindness and giving.
• Someone in your life who deserves a ‘thank you’ and why.

Positivity Journaling for the Dark November Nights

• A part of your personality you want to show more of.
• Someone or something that has been a constant source of comfort all year.
• What is beautiful about a crisp night’s sky.
• At-home routines that make you happy.
• What’s been great about the year so far.
• What gives you hope going into next year.
• People you can talk to who have an optimistic outlook.
• Local places you can go to join a community activity.
• What brings you a sense of peace when you look out of the window.
• What someone could learn from you.
• Something that at the time felt so significant, and now you can’t even believe you were worried about it.
• What part of your town or city is most beautiful during fall.
• What you’d tell your younger self to inspire them about life.
• If you had to volunteer today, what you’d do.
• What you can do in the morning to help you feel hopeful.
• The last thing you read that made you smile.
• What you enjoy talking about with people.
• What makes you feel warm.
• What about the year surprised you in a good way.
• One thing you’ll never tire of, no matter how tough your day.
• What you could share in your friend group chat to make everyone feel great.
• What’s been unexpectedly good about the year.
• Ways you’ve made your home beautiful.
• People who bring love and warmth into your life.
• Right now, what you’re excited about.
• Habits and traits you love about the people you’re with today.
• How you could bring friends and family together outside of key holidays.
• Small wins you’re proud of this month.
• Things you can achieve despite the cold weather.
• Someone you could check in with to make them feel less alone.

Be sure to check back here throughout the month as we add more calendars, and take a look at our fall-themed journaling and ‘making the most of the rest of the year’ worksheet, too, for more opportunities to journal, reflect, and make plans.

Meanwhile, see our other November ideas and printables here.