Struggling to spark fresh engagement in your journaling community? Community Challenges are a proven way to motivate members, inspire creativity, and build connections. Use these ready-to-go templates to launch fun and meaningful challenges that get everyone writing.
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Community Challenges work because they invite members to participate in shared experiences, making journaling more interactive and less solitary. By setting clear, achievable tasks, challenges lower the barrier to entry and make it easy for everyone to join in, regardless of skill or experience.
The playful and motivating tone of these challenges fosters a sense of camaraderie. Members feel seen and encouraged, and friendly competition or collaboration gives them a reason to return and engage. Recognition and small rewards further reinforce positive behaviors, driving ongoing participation and deeper community bonds.
7-Day Gratitude Journal Challenge - write one thing you are grateful for each day. Who is in?
💡 Example: "Today I am grateful for my morning coffee. Who else is joining Day 1?"
Share your favorite journaling spot and why you love it. Bonus for photos!
💡 Example: "I love writing by my sunny window. Show us yours!"
Weekend Reflection Challenge: Write about one high and one low from your week.
💡 Example: "My high was finishing a big project. My low was missing a workout. Your turn!"
Try a one-line-a-day journal entry for the next 5 days. Who is with me?
💡 Example: "Day 1: Saw a rainbow on my walk. Who else started?"
Doodle Challenge: Add a small sketch to your journal entry today and share it here.
💡 Example: "Here is my coffee cup doodle. Let us see yours!"
Pick a word that describes your current mood and journal about it for 5 minutes.
💡 Example: "Word: hopeful. I wrote about what is making me feel this way."
Flashback Friday: Journal about a childhood memory and post a snippet here.
💡 Example: "I remembered summer bike rides. What is your memory?"
List three things you accomplished this week, big or small.
💡 Example: "1. Read a book. 2. Tried a new recipe. 3. Called a friend."
Monthly Mood Tracker Challenge - color code your journal for each day this month.
💡 Example: "My first week is mostly green for happy. Who is coloring along?"
Brain Dump Challenge: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write nonstop. Share how it felt.
💡 Example: "Felt freeing to write without stopping. Who else tried?"
Try using a different pen color for each entry this week and share your favorite combo.
💡 Example: "Purple and green look fun together. What colors did you use?"
Journal Prompt: What is one goal you have for this month?
💡 Example: "My goal is to journal every day."
Challenge: Use a quote as your journal starter today. Share the quote you picked.
💡 Example: "I used 'Be here now' as my starter. What about you?"
Write a letter to your future self and share one line from it.
💡 Example: "I wrote 'Keep chasing your dreams.' What did you write?"
One Word Challenge: Describe today in just one word and explain why.
💡 Example: "Word: productive. Because I finished my tasks early."
Try journaling outside today and share a photo or description of your view.
💡 Example: "Writing under a tree in the park. Who else is outside?"
Midweek Check-In: How is your journaling going this week? Any wins or struggles?
💡 Example: "I missed a day but got back on track. How about you?"
Swap Your Style: Try bullet journaling for a day and share your experience.
💡 Example: "Bullet journaling helped me organize my thoughts. Who else tried?"
Journal about your morning routine and post your favorite part.
💡 Example: "My favorite part is reading while I sip tea. What is yours?"
Write down three things you are looking forward to and share one with us.
💡 Example: "I am looking forward to a family picnic. Anyone else?"
Minimalist Challenge: Journal using only five sentences today.
💡 Example: "Kept today short and sweet with five sentences."
Color Challenge: Use colors to express your mood in your journal and describe your choice.
💡 Example: "Used blue for calm. What color did you pick?"
Try a list format for today's entry. Share your list topic.
💡 Example: "List of favorite books. What did you list?"
Challenge: Write a poem or haiku in your journal today. Share your attempt!
💡 Example: "Wrote a haiku about rain. Who else tried?"
Describe your perfect day in your journal and share one detail with us.
💡 Example: "My perfect day includes a long walk. What about yours?"
Try a five-minute journaling sprint now. How much did you write?
💡 Example: "Wrote half a page in five minutes. Anyone else try?"
Self-Care Check: Journal about one way you practiced self-care this week.
💡 Example: "I took a relaxing bath after work."
Challenge: Write with your non-dominant hand today and share a photo or describe the result.
💡 Example: "My writing was messy but fun! Who else tried?"
Playlist Challenge: Listen to your favorite song and journal how it makes you feel.
💡 Example: "Wrote about how 'Here Comes the Sun' lifts my mood."
Journal about a recent challenge you overcame. Share a tip with the group.
💡 Example: "I managed my time better. My tip: use a timer!"
Set a journaling intention for the week and post it here.
💡 Example: "My intention is to focus on gratitude entries."
Alphabet Challenge: Each entry starts with the next letter of the alphabet. Start with A today.
💡 Example: "A: Adventure awaits me today."
Travel Back: Journal about a place you have visited and what you remember most.
💡 Example: "I remember the smell of pine trees in the mountains."
Challenge: Try a digital journaling app today and share your thoughts.
💡 Example: "Tried Day One app. Liked the reminders. Who else has a favorite?"
Night Owl Challenge: Journal right before bed tonight and note how it affects your sleep.
💡 Example: "Felt calmer after journaling before bed."
Challenge: Write about a book that inspired you and share a quote from it.
💡 Example: "I loved 'The Alchemist' - 'When you want something, all the universe conspires...'"
Journaling Streak: Can you write for 5 days in a row? Post your streak count below.
💡 Example: "On Day 3 of my streak. Who is still going?"
Theme Week: This week, focus all entries on 'change.' Who is in?
💡 Example: "Wrote about moving houses. Who else is trying the theme?"
Pick an emoji that sums up your day and explain your choice in your journal.
💡 Example: "Chose 😊 because I had a fun lunch with friends."
Try writing your entry as a letter to someone (real or fictional). Share who you wrote to.
💡 Example: "Wrote to my future self. Who did you choose?"
Random Prompt: Flip to a random page in your journal. Share a line from it.
💡 Example: "'Today I decided to start fresh.' What did you find?"
Challenge: Collaborate with another member and co-write a journal entry.
💡 Example: "Teamed up with @Alex to write about our summer plans."
Pick a template that matches your community's vibe and current goals. Customize the details if needed, such as the challenge theme or reward. Announce the challenge across your platforms, pinning or highlighting it for visibility. Encourage members to share their progress in comments, stories, or dedicated threads, and periodically spotlight standout contributions. At the end, celebrate participants and distribute any promised recognition or prizes to keep the momentum going.
These templates are suitable for all platforms. Adjust instructions based on platform features: use hashtags for Instagram or Twitter, create threads or events on Facebook or Discord, or enable responses and comments on forums. Always ensure members know where and how to participate.
Consider your members' interests and experience levels. Start with simple, fun challenges and adjust based on participation.
Weekly or monthly challenges work well. Mix up the frequency to maintain excitement and prevent burnout.
Yes. Challenges can help re-engage lurkers and give new members a reason to participate. Start with low-barrier prompts.
Small rewards or recognition, like badges or shoutouts, are motivating but not required. Celebrate all participation.
Lead by example, share your own entries, and create a supportive environment. Spotlight contributions and use gentle reminders.
Yes. They are designed for all platforms. Adjust details for platform features like hashtags or threads as needed.
Check in with reminders, offer encouragement, and highlight progress. Be flexible and ready to adapt future challenges.