Spring is here, and with it comes that familiar pull — fresh air, fresh energy, a fresh start. A chance to shake off whatever’s been feeling heavy and step into something lighter, clearer, and more aligned.

I’ve been feeling it too — taking a pause on custom work, refining my template shop, even starting a Substack (see you there?). But more than anything, I’ve been craving a reset. A moment to pause, take inventory, and get intentional about where I’m headed next.

If you’re in the same place — ready to check in with yourself, your work, and the direction you’re moving — these journal prompts are here for you. A little clarity, a little dreaming, and maybe even a breakthrough or two.

So grab a coffee (or a glass of something bubbly), grab your journal and pen, and let’s get into it.

PS: While these journal prompts are intentionally asking into pieces of your creative business, be open to revelations about your life as a whole. Your brand is simply an extension of you, after all.

Journal Prompts for a Creative Business Owner

1. Where are you settling?

Not in a bad way — but in a comfortable way. Where have you been playing it safe, sticking with what works instead of what excites you? Maybe it’s the type of clients you take on, the pricing you’ve been afraid to raise, or the systems that feel “fine” but aren’t actually supporting you. What’s been feeling a little stale? Where could you invite in more ease, more alignment, more joy?

2. What do you believe about money?

And — more importantly—is that belief serving you? Do you believe that making good money in your industry is possible for you? Do you feel guilty for raising your rates? Are you stuck in a cycle of over-delivering because “it’s just one more thing” (except, it never is)? Your pricing, your confidence, and your boundaries all start here — with the stories you tell yourself about money.  If something isn’t working, what would it look like to rewrite the story?

3. What does an ideal day in your life look like?

Not just in your business — in your life. From the moment you wake up to the way you wind down. Slow mornings or packed schedules? Travel-filled summers or cozy work-from-home days? The more you clarify this vision, the easier it becomes to shape your business around it instead of the other way around.

4. If you could brag about yourself without holding back, what would you say?

No need for humility here — just be honest with yourself. This journal prompt is all about what you are really good at. What do people always compliment you on? What are you unabashedly really proud of? When you see your own magic clearly, you can communicate it more confidently (and attract clients who see it too).

5. If you could design your dream client roster, what would it look like?

Forget what’s already on the books or the types of clients you’ve been attracting up until now — what if you could curate your schedule exactly the way you want it? How many clients would you taking on each season? Each year? Where would they be? What kind of people would you work with? What are the vibes? What are you making? What are you doing with your time? This journal prompt is your permission slip to think bigger.

6. What’s your origin story? (Whatever that means to you.)

Maybe it’s how you got started in your creative business. Maybe it’s the reason this work matters to you. Maybe it’s the red-line that connects everything you’ve ever loved doing. Your story is your brand, and when you get clear on it, you start attracting people who get you.

7. What’s not working right now? (Be honest.)

Where are things feeling heavy? Is there something you keep saying you need to fix, but never do? What part of your work, or life, is draining your energy? Is there a certain type of client you seem to always attract? A part of your process that you hate? Get it all on paper with this journal prompt. The first step in changing something is naming it.

8. Write a day in the life of your future self — but in present tense.

Picture the version of you who has built exactly what she wants. What does her day to day life look like? How does she feel in her business? What work is she doing? What work is she not doing? Write it all down like it’s happening right now. Time is an illusion. Future you already exists — you just have to start moving toward her.

9. If money wasn’t a factor, what would you want to be paid to do?

If you could spend your days creating just for the joy of it — what would it be? Maybe it’s designing wedding mood boards or curating getting-ready playlists for brides. Maybe it’s styling editorial shoots with zero pressure to “sell” anything. The things that light you up? They’re not distractions. They’re clues.

10. Where is your time or energy leaking?

Where are you losing time in your business? Are you spending hours tweaking your website when you should be outsourcing it? Writing custom proposals for clients who never seem to book? Saying yes to projects that drain you? Your energy is your most valuable resource — where could you protect it more fiercely? Really think deeply about this and all the other journal prompts.

Bonus: If everything disappeared tomorrow, what three things would you fight to keep?

If your creative business had to start over from scratch — what would you hold onto no matter what? Maybe it’s your creative approach. Maybe it’s the way you connect with clients. Maybe it’s something you didn’t even realize was core to your brand until now. This one’s powerful. Let it reveal what truly matters.

Take your time with these. Revisit them when you need a reset. And if you’re feeling that pull toward something new? Trust it. Your next season is waiting.