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100 New Year’s Eve writing prompts

December 26, 2023 by Richard Leave a Comment

100 New Year’s Eve Writing Prompts

Here are 100 New Year’s Eve writing prompts, the clock striking midnight on December 31st and here are holds a symbolic power unlike any other, representing both the closing of one chapter and the tantalizing blank page of another soon to unfold. As writers, this singular holiday possesses a unique creative pull – calling us to capture the wild revelry of parties and celebrations unfolding amid the intimate contemplations of those alone on this night. It compels us to explore the strange intermingling of nostalgia and hope that infuses the year’s final hours. Whether one is an aspiring writer searching for writing inspiration or an experienced pen simply longing to limber up with a few quick exercises before the new year arrives, these 100 eclectic New Year’s Eve prompts promise to ignite the imagination.

Covering a colorful spectrum of genres from tender romance to family drama to quirky magical realism, the prompts offer narrative springboards rather than restrictive rules – showing off the holiday’s supple storytelling potential. We’re encouraged to inhabit a diversity of perspectives as the fateful midnight countdown nears, chronicling crowded celebrations through the eyes of servers, volunteers and revelers while also giving voice to the solitary soul welcoming 2024 from an empty apartment or airport terminal’s uncomfortable chair.

Despite vastly different backdrops, each vignette allows writers to illuminate the unique blend of nostalgia and tentative optimism that inflects this night, stitching a fragmented year together with memories even as our dreams threaten to rend fresh seams. Whether grappling with endings or beginnings, these prompts give writers the chance to capture the bittersweet essence of New Year’s Eve in all its messy glory before launching their own blank pages into whatever 2024 may hold.

Here are 100 writing prompts about New Year’s Eve 2023:

• You wake up on December 31st realizing this will be the first New Year’s you spend completely alone. How do you feel? What do you do?
• You have an opportunity to attend a glamorous New Year’s Eve party this year. Write about getting ready, what you wear, who you meet at the party, and how you feel ringing in 2024.
• The ball is just about to drop in Times Square. Write a story from the perspective of one of the police officers securing the event.
• You have tickets to see your favorite band play a New Year’s Eve show. Describe the night – the music, the countdown to midnight, the celebration with friends.
• You’ve just been hired to work as a server at an upscale restaurant on New Year’s Eve. Write a story about your hectic but exciting night.
• Write a story about a married couple whose New Year’s Eve plans get unexpectedly cancelled. How do they end up salvaging the night?
• You decide to get together with childhood friends on New Year’s Eve. Write about reminiscing over old memories and catching up.
• A busy single mom scrambles to find a babysitter on NYE so she can finally have a night out. Write this story.
• You have to work the New Year’s Eve night shift. Write a story about the colorful characters and conversations you encounter.
• Your flight gets cancelled on December 31st due to bad weather. You end up spending New Year’s Eve with complete strangers in an airport.
• Write a story about someone who finds out devastating news right before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
• A family gathers at the grandparents’ house for a New Year’s Eve celebration full of games, laughter and hope for 2024.
• Best friends reunite for their annual New Year’s Eve slumber party – write about their traditions, goals for the upcoming year, and secrets shared.
• Your character lives on the West Coast and video chats their family on the East Coast at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2024 together.
• Write about someone who has to work the night shift on NYE, but finds small, special ways to celebrate.
• Your most fun, dependable friend has to cancel your NYE plans last minute. You have to scramble to make new ones.
• Write about someone who usually hates NYE, but decides to have an epic, magical one this year – what do they do?
• Your character volunteers to work at a children’s hospital handing out treats and celebration favors to sick kids on NYE.
• Your character decides to spend NYE reflecting on their personal growth and setting meaningful goals for 2024. Describe their thoughtful night.
• The power goes out just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Write about how your characters improvise and end up having more fun.
• A busy college student decides to throw a small NYE party in their tiny apartment for all their friends who couldn’t make it home this year.
• Write a story about someone whose flight gets cancelled on the 30th, forcing them to spend NYE stuck in an unfamiliar city. What adventures ensue?
• Your character finds themselves working the drive-thru window at a fast food place on a busy NYE – describe the madness and mayhem you see.
• Write a story about someone who finds themselves spending NYE with someone they have complicated romantic feelings for. How does the night unfold?
• A group of longtime friends creates extravagant costumes every year for NYE. This time the theme is sci-fi/alien invasion – describe each outfit.
• Your main character goes out to their favorite bar alone on NYE, hoping to meet someone interesting. Do they? What’s the interaction like?
• Write about an introverted character who decides to push themselves by attending a huge NYE costume party this year. Describe their costume and experience.
• Your character orders Chinese food and watches the NYE celebrations in Times Square alone in their PJs. Tell the story of a cozy, happy night.
• Write about an elderly character reflecting on past New Year’s Eves – maybe from the 1920s, 50s, and 80s – compare celebrations and traditions.
• An unexpected blackout leads your characters to have an old-fashioned New Year’s Eve by candlelight and fireplace. Describe this cozy night.
• Your character finds a magic camera on NYE that shows them snapshots of their upcoming year. Describe 5+ significant images it reveals.
• The family dog inadvertently eats the edibles intended for the adults’ NYE party leading to a strange, chaotic night. Tell this story from the dog’s perspective.
• On a whim your character takes a trip to New York City to experience the NYE ball drop in Times Square. Describe crowds, sights and their experience.
• Your character is tasked with creating fun games, activities and entertainment for a children’s NYE party. Describe several of their ideas.
• Your protagonist decides to go bar-hopping alone on NYE, determined to find new friends/love. Tell the quirky story of their night out.
• Your character has plans to celebrate NYE with their partner, but wakes up with no memory of them or the past year of their life. What happens on this strange night?
• Your character finds a spot with a perfect view of a local NYE fireworks show. While there alone, a stranger joins them and they form an unexpected connection.
• Your protagonist volunteers at a homeless shelter serving food and passing out donations on NYE. Write about the conversations and connections they make.
• Your character’s NYE plans fall through so they wander their city taking polaroids of strangers. Write quick stories about 5+ images/people that stand out.
• A meet-cute on an elevator that gets stuck for 2 hours on NYE leads to more. Write this romance short story.
• Your character goes to a fortune teller on NYE that gives them eerie but accurate predictions for the next year. Describe 5+ fortunes she sees.
• Write a story about friends stuck at the world’s worst NYE party who sneak away to have their own celebration.
• Your character goes through a bad breakup right before NYE. Their friends swoop in to take them on fun adventures all night to lift their spirits.
• Your protagonist babysits their little cousin on NYE. Write about the silly games, kid’s champagne toast, midnight celebration, etc.
• Your character’s resolution is to be more helpful this year so they decide to volunteer on NYE. Write about who they help and how it impacts them.
• A grumpy character gets trapped overnight in an airport with an annoyingly upbeat person on NYE. Write their odd couple story.
• Your protagonist gets invited to a glitzy NYE wedding with a group of wild college friends. Describe the celebration and after party shenanigans.
• Your character meets someone at a masquerade NYE ball and spends the night falling in love though they never see each other’s faces. What happens at midnight when they unmask?
• NYE superstitions say to wear polka dots, smash plates, etc at midnight. Write a story about friends trying these rituals all night for good luck.
• Your character returns to their hometown for nostalgic celebrations on NYE including a visit to their favorite childhood haunts. Describe this trip down memory lane.
• The big NYE storm fills up the homeless shelter with new people in need. Your character (volunteer or person staying there) connects with someone unexpectedly.
• Your protagonist finally decides to stand up to their abusive partner during the NYE party. Write about this scene and the fallout after.
• A character’s long lost friend suddenly shows up on their doorstep to celebrate NYE. Write about their emotional reunion.
• Your protagonist signs up for a medical trial that pays well but requires staying in a facility over NYE. Describe their surreal holiday experience.
• Your character manages a fancy hotel. Describe the over-the-top celebrations, crazy requests, mishaps and more that happen working NYE.
• Your protagonist visits a psychic right before NYE who tells them they’ll meet their spouse soon. Write the story of their hopeful year.
• Your character plans for a dying relative’s last perfect NYE celebrating their life/legacy. Write heartfelt goodbyes as 2023 ticks away.
• Your protagonist finally decides to make a move on their crush as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Will they find romance?
• Write about neighbours who barely know each other alone on NYE banding together for a meal when they lose power during a storm.
• Your protagonist’s seemingly perfect NYE night ends with them making an embarrassing mistake going viral before midnight. What happens?
• A grumpy character stuck working at a fast food joint on NYE ends up having surprisingly heartfelt conversations with customers.
• Write a story about a character who vows to move overseas in 2024 buying their plane ticket as a symbolic NYE act.
• Your protagonist accidentally invites two dates to their NYE party, leading to hilarious mishaps trying to keep them apart.
• Your protagonist rediscovers a beloved childhood memory just before midnight (old toy, song, etc). Write about how this impacts their 2023 reflections.
• On a whim, your protagonist takes a solo trip to Monte Carlo to gamble and celebrate lavishly on NYE. Describe this fancy story.
• The flight your protagonist is piloting gets quarantined on the tarmac over NYE due to a passenger illness scare. Write this drama.
• Your protagonist parties too hard on NYE and wakes up New Year’s Day to a surprise tattoo, marriage certificate, or in another state. What surprise is in store?
• A random power outage strands people in an elevator together missing the epic NYE parties they had planned. Write this odd story.
• Your protagonist finds a sparkly gown at a thrift shop the day before NYE that seems to be magic. What mystical adventures unfold on NYE when they wear it?
• The ball your protagonist ordered for NYE is delivered broken days before. Write a funny story about them scrambling to re-plan a dropped ball celebration on a budget.
• Your protagonist promised their kids a perfect NYE so when the babysitter cancels last minute, hijinks ensue trying to salvage it.
• Write about unexpected romances sparking at a hospital on NYE. (Nurse/doctor, patient/visitor).
• Your protagonist gets called in to work the night shift on NYE. Write a story featuring colorful coworkers, conversations and midnight countdown antics.
• Your character’s estranged best friend from childhood shows up unexpectedly on NYE. They spend the night catching up and reconciliation unfolds.
• Your protagonist reluctantly goes to a holiday costume party and ends up having a profound, life-changing experience. What happens?
• Your protagonist finally has enough money to celebrate NYE at their dream destination – tell the story of their perfect international holiday trip.
• Your protagonist is tasked with keeping a wealthy family’s very spoiled children happy on NYE for a big bonus. Write funny stories of chaos and mayhem.
• Your protagonist accidentally gets on the wrong cruise ship for a NYE vacation. Write a comedy about their wacky nautical vacation gone wrong.
• Your protagonist meets someone in the final moments of 2023. You flash forward to show glimpses of their life together over the next year.
• On NYE your protagonist finds a wallet outside a party with no ID, only a photograph. Tell the story of them sleuthing to find the owner.
• A character is contemplating ending their life on NYE but a stranger notices them crying on a bridge and compassionately intervenes. Write this emotional story with a hopeful ending.
• Your protagonist plans a fancy NYE party but their apartment gets destroyed in a pre-celebration mishap. Show them rallying friends for an impromptu street celebration.
• Your character can’t afford their dream NYE celebration so their thoughtful partner secretly recreates aspects of it with DIY touches. Write this heartwarming story.
• Your protagonist wakes up with amnesia on NYE slowly regaining memories showing how they will fall in love with their kindly caretaker through flashbacks.
• Your protagonist finally decides to make their career dreams come true and quits their unfulfilling job on NYE. Write about starting 2024 following their passion.
• Your protagonist’s eccentric relative dies right before NYE leaving behind elaborate funeral instructions including arriving via parade float. Describe this funny memorial service.
• Your protagonist needs closure so they travel to reconnect with a past love on New Year’s Eve. Do they find the answers and resolution they hoped for?
• Write a powerful scene where your character makes a New Year’s resolution to leave their abusive partner during a NYE party among cheering friends.
• Your protagonist’s best friend goes into unexpected labor at a fabulous NYE costume party. Chaos and hilarity ensue!
• While your protagonist is celebrating NYE, Death pays them a visit to reveal troubling secrets about the year ahead. What news must they now wrestle with?
• Your protagonist accidentally gets trapped in a bank vault over New Year’s Eve with a handsome stranger. Over the course of the night romantic sparks fly.
• On a whim your protagonist travels to New York City alone for NYE. Write funny stories about their adventures navigating the big crowds and celebrations.
• Your protagonist was supposed to propose to their partner on NYE but the ring gets lost amid comical mishaps. Does it work out in the end?
• Write about unexpected romances blossoming at a hospital on December 31st between patients, staff, strangers waiting for news.
• Your protagonist attends a 1920s speakeasy-themed NYE costume party. Describe their elaborate flapper outfit and the glamorous celebrations full of mobster intrigue.
• Your character’s critical client unexpectedly goes into labor on NYE so they heroically manage both the high stakes birth and keeping their client happy.
• Your character goes into 2023 not believing in love but a meet-cute with a stranger as the New Year dawns changes everything. What 2024 visions suddenly seem possible?
• A grumpy concierge’s whole perspective on life changes over the course of one unforgettable NYE shift spent listening to guests’ stories.
• Your character finds a magical radio on NYE at midnight playing songs from their upcoming year hinting at what’s ahead. Describe 5 songs and their meaning.
• Your protagonist celebrates an incredible NYE that they find out years later their guardian angel orchestrated behind the scenes. Flashback to show the miracles.

Whether used as a daily warm-up over the final days of December or simply savored as a one-time exercise on the last night of the year, engaging with these evocative prompts promises to spark creativity amid the reflective mood unique to December 31st. Some may inspire short sketches dashed off in the hours leading to midnight, while others may plant narrative seeds that blossom into fully formed short stories with the new year now in bloom. Whatever the final written destination, this eclectic collection of 100 story ideas celebrates the rich inspirational territory the transitional holiday offers all writers. As fresh dreams and declarations hover on our tongues, these prompts give us the nudge we need to capture the magic of New Year’s Eve and launch our writing into exciting uncharted territory when the gleaming ball drops at last. Whether used to bid a dramatic farewell to 2023 or determine adventures ahead in 2024, let these vivid prompts serve as your writerly life raft as you sail into the thrilling unknown future that awaits on January 1st. The blank page of another year is all yours – let your writing spirit soar. 

If you enjoyed these prompts, please leave us a comment, and we have many more writing prompts on our site .

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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What is a New Year Journal Prompt?

A New Year Journal Prompt is a thought-provoking question or statement designed to inspire reflection, introspection, and goal-setting at the start of a new year. These prompts are tailored to help individuals look back on the past year’s experiences, achievements, challenges, and lessons, as well as to set intentions, objectives, and resolutions for the year ahead.

In short, New Year Journal Prompts are a personal guide to self-reflection and goal setting. They’re a way to check in with yourself, celebrate your progress, and map out your next steps.

Use Our New Year Workbook

A New Year workbook can be a powerful ally in your journey of self-improvement and reflection. Choose a workbook that resonates with your personal style and goals–be it a detailed planner or a workbook with prompts that challenge your thinking.

Here’s a tip that can make a real difference: incorporate “Action Steps” next to each goal. It’s one thing to set a goal; it’s another to outline specific, achievable steps towards it. This method bridges the gap between aspiration and reality.

While the workbook is a guide, remember, the most profound insights often come from within. Use the prompts and sections as starting points, but don’t hesitate to venture beyond them with your thoughts and reflections.

And for those looking to deepen their workbook experience, we created our own goal-oriented workbook. It’s a workbook for you to do at the end of the year to reflect and get some closure on this past year and also prepare and get ahead for the next year. And the best thing? It’s totally free:

Year In Review Prompts

Ready to reflect on your year? Each prompt is designed to encourage deep reflection and meaningful insights into the year that has passed, aiding in personal growth and self-awareness .

• What were the three most significant events of this past year for you, and why?
• Reflect on a challenge you overcame this year. How has it shaped you?
• List five things you learned about yourself in the past year.
• What was your happiest memory from this year? Describe why it stands out.
• Identify a habit you formed this year. How has it impacted your daily life?
• Who had the most significant influence on you this year, and how?
• What was the best book/movie/show you discovered this year and why?
• Write about a moment this year when you felt most alive. What sparked it?
• What was an unexpected joy you experienced this year?
• Reflect on a goal you achieved this year. How did you accomplish it?
• Which relationship in your life grew the most this year, and how?
• What was the most important lesson you learned this year?
• Which place that you visited this year was most memorable and why?
• Describe a risk you took this year and its outcome.
• What was your biggest mistake this year, and what did you learn from it?
• How have your priorities shifted over the past year?
• What was the funniest or most surprising moment of the year for you?
• What was the most meaningful conversation you had this year?
• How did you make a positive impact in someone’s life this year?
• What are three things you’re grateful for from this past year?

New Year Goal-Setting Journal Prompts

These prompts are tailored to foster forward-looking thinking and practical goal-setting for the New Year, helping to lay out a roadmap for personal achievement and growth.

• What is one skill you want to learn or improve in the coming year?
• Envision where you want to be this time next year. What does that look like?
• Set a specific health-related goal for the New Year. How will you achieve it?
• Identify a personal quality you want to develop or strengthen. Why is it important?
• What financial goal do you wish to achieve, and what steps will you take?
• Choose a book or a subject you want to explore deeply. What intrigues you about it?
• Plan a dream trip for the upcoming year. Where would you go and why?
• What professional achievement are you aiming for in the New Year?
• Which hobby would you like to spend more time on? Set specific goals for it.
• Write about a new habit you want to form and how it will benefit you.
• What’s a fear you want to conquer this year? How will you approach it?
• Create a detailed action plan for one major goal you have.
• How will you improve your work-life balance in the New Year?
• What steps will you take to strengthen your most important relationships?
• Describe a way you want to give back or contribute to your community.
• Set a creative goal for the year (writing, art, music, etc.). How will you pursue it?
• What’s one thing you want to change about your daily routine?
• How do you plan to prioritize self-care in the upcoming year?
• Describe a new adventure or experience you want to have. Why is it appealing?
• What is your primary personal growth goal, and why is it significant to you?

Yearly Self-Reflection Prompts

These prompts are designed to encourage a deeper exploration of personal experiences and feelings over the past year, aiding in introspection .

• What part of your life did you give the most energy to this year, and why?
• How have your values or beliefs evolved over the past year?
• Reflect on a moment this year when you felt exceptionally proud of yourself.
• What has been your most significant source of inspiration this year?
• How did you handle stress differently this year compared to previous years?
• In what ways did you grow emotionally over the past year?
• What was a recurring thought or theme that kept appearing for you this year?
• How have your relationships influenced your personal growth this year?
• What was the most challenging decision you made this year, and how did you arrive at it?
• Describe a moment this year when you felt completely at peace. What led to it?
• What aspects of yourself are you most grateful for this year?
• How did you contribute to your community or those around you this year?
• What was the biggest risk you took this year, and what was the outcome?
• Reflect on a moment of failure this year. What did it teach you?
• How did you express creativity this year in a way that felt fulfilling?
• What was the most impactful piece of advice you received this year?
• How have your priorities shifted throughout the year, and what influenced these changes?
• What was your most impactful conversation this year, and what did you learn from it?
• Reflect on a moment this year when you had to be courageous. What did it involve?
• What are you leaving behind this year, and what are you carrying forward into the next?

My Favorite New Year Prompts

These are my top prompts I ALWAYS journal with every New Year. I find they help me clarify my next year’s goals and also review what worked this year. Here they are:

• Letting Go: “Reflect on something you’re holding onto from the past year. What steps can you take to let go of it for a more peaceful and fulfilling new year?”
• Gratitude: “Identify three unexpected things that happened this year for which you are grateful. How have these experiences enriched your life?”
• Motivation: “Think about a goal that excites you for the coming year. What motivates you to achieve this goal, and how can you maintain this motivation throughout the year?”
• Clarity: “What is your goal phrase, mantra, or word for the next year to remind you of your ultimate goal? What do you really want to focus on?”
• Forgiveness: “Is there someone you need to forgive, or do you need to seek forgiveness from someone as you enter the new year? Write about how this act of forgiveness can bring a positive change in your life.”
• Bad Habits: “Identify a bad habit you want to break in the new year. What is a concrete plan you can implement to overcome this habit and replace it with a healthier one?”

New Year Prompts Tips

Ready to start journaling? Before you look at the prompts below, take a look at these quick and innovative tips to supercharge your journey with New Year prompts.

Create a Journaling Ritual

Transform your journaling into a meaningful experience by establishing a unique ritual. Consider lighting a special candle or playing a particular piece of music each time you journal, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere.

This ritual not only sets the mood but also signals your mind that it’s time to delve into thoughtful self-reflection.

Use Prompt Jars

Inject spontaneity into your journaling with a “prompt jar.” Write down various journal prompts on slips of paper and place them in a jar, drawing one randomly for each journaling session to add an element of surprise.

For a digital twist, create a virtual jar using an app or a digital note-keeping platform where you can randomly select a prompt, keeping the spontaneity alive in the digital realm.

Integrate Multi-Sensory Prompts

Bring your journaling to life by integrating prompts that engage multiple senses. For example, describe a recent meal in vivid detail, focusing on the taste, aroma, and textures, or recall your favorite vacation this year, noting the sounds, sights, and scents encountered.

You can even go above and beyond by using scents such as essential oils to prime your brain , taking you back to that distinct memory.

Crafting Your Journaling Streak

Keeping track of your journaling streak shouldn’t feel like a chore. It’s part of the fun! The idea here is simple: mark off each day you journal to build a visual streak, creating a motivating chain of your efforts.

Calendar not your style? Check out these laid-back and creative alternatives:

• Digital Habit Trackers: Easy and handy, these apps let you see your streaks with just a tap.
• Jar of Wonders: Drop a pebble, bead, or any small item in a jar for each day you journal–watch it fill up!
• Artsy Wall Chart: Turn a wall chart into a piece of art, adding a colorful mark for each journaling day.
• Sticker Wonderland: Who doesn’t love stickers? Add one to a notebook for each day you write.
• Custom Craft Board: Get crafty and make a board where you can hang or place something small for each journaling day.

These fun alternatives keep your journaling streak visible and give you that little nudge of satisfaction every time you add to them. Plus, they’re a cool addition to your space!

I hope you found these prompts useful! Ready for more New Year awesomeness? Head on over to: The Best Ways to Make (and Keep) Your New Year’s Resolutions

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• Journal Prompts

50+ New Year Journal Prompts

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to let go of the past and look forward to a brand new year. Our selection of 50 new year journal prompts are the perfect prompts to get you reflecting on the past and planning the future. For more writing prompts, check out our post on New Year writing prompts or out creative January writing prompts calendar .

From setting goals to being a better person, this list of new year prompts is everything you need to have a peaceful and productive year:

• Write down at least five goals for this year. Remember to make them as clear as possible with a deadline to achieve them by. Examples of goals could include learning a new skill, making a new friend, completing your homework on time etc.
• Describe your favourite moment or memory from the past year.
• Write about the worst moment or memory of last year. 
• Who inspires you the most in your life and why?
• Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you overcome it or how will you overcome it?
• In 10 years time, where would you like to be and what would you like to do?
• Make a list of at least ten things you are grateful for? What things are you most thankful about in your life?
• Write a letter to your younger self. If you could say one thing to your younger self, what would you tell them?
• Fast forward to next year. Write a letter from your future self. Think about all the things you can learn this year, the memories you’ll gain and all the people you might meet. 
• Find one quote that motivates you and write it down. Now explain why this quote inspires you. 
• Describe your greatest accomplishment to this date. 
• Make a list of things that make you happy. Try to think of at least five things that make you happy. 
• My favourite part of today was…
• The worst part of today was…
• If you had one wish, what would you wish for and why?
• Write down at least three bad habits you would like to break this year and why?
• Which three skills or qualities about yourself would you like to improve on or strengthen this year?
• List five things you like about yourself and five things you dislike about yourself. 
• Something new I really want to try this year is…
• My favourite movie from last year is…
• What was the nicest thing you did for someone else last year?
• The nicest thing someone did for me last year was…
• If you had a million dollars, what would you spend this money on and why?
• Describe your dream house. How many rooms will it have? How will it be decorated? You can even draw a picture of it. 
• Write about something cool or fun you learned recently. 
• Which subject at school do you hate and why? Is there a way you can change this and make this subject more fun or interesting? 
• My favourite song of last year was… because…
• Make a list of fun things you could do this year. Try to think of at least 10.
• How will you stay healthy this year? Write down at least 3 health-related goals. 
• Last year, who were the most important people in your lives? 
• Make a list of 10 to 20 words that describe your life right now. Which one of these words would be your ‘Word of the Year’ and why?
• What are the top 5 priorities in your life and why?
• My dream job would be… because…
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
• Create a reading list for this year. Which books do you want to read this year?
• When were you last stressed and how can you cope with stress in your life?
• How do you celebrate after achieving a difficult goal?
• Write down at least three friendship goals. How can you build on or improve your friendship circle?
• Which household chores can you help with this year (i.e. cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning dishes etc.)
• What new food would you like to try this year?
• What things would you like to keep the same this year? And what changes would you like to make to your life this year?
• Are there any new hobbies you would like to try this year?
• Which three people would you like to meet this year and why? This could be a celebrity, a long last family member, a politician and so on. 
• If you could do the last year all over again, what would you change and why?
• How can you give back to your community this year?
• What are your writing goals for this year?
• How can you declutter your life? Are there any things you can get rid of or donate to charity? 
• Write a thank you letter to someone you know. 
• Describe your biggest fear and you could overcome it.
• Write about three objects or items in your room that you couldn’t live without. 
• Think of a creative project you can complete in your spare time. 

Share your new year goals with us in the comments below.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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24 New Year Writing Prompts

The clock’s about to strike midnight, and there’s this electric feeling in the air. It’s like a mix of looking back at old memories, feeling hopeful about what’s to come, and being super excited about all the new stuff that might happen.

The new year is basically a giant blank space, just waiting for you to fill it up with your goals, dreams, and all that fun stuff.

Want a cool way to kick things off?

These New Year writing prompts about new beginnings are here to get your creative juices flowing!

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New Year Writing Prompts

Think back to the person you were at the beginning of the year and compare it to who you are now. What significant changes have you noticed in your personality, habits, or life choices? Write about the most transformative experience you had this year and how it contributed to your personal growth.

Writing a letter to your future self can be a powerful way to set intentions and visualize where you want to be. Consider the goals, dreams, and aspirations you have for the upcoming year. Pen down a letter to yourself one year from now, detailing what you hope to achieve and the person you aspire to become.

Every year, we come across people who make a difference in our lives, often without seeking recognition. It could be a stranger, a colleague, or even a family member. Write about someone who positively impacted your life this year and describe why their actions meant so much to you.

As the year comes to an end, there are bound to be memories that stand out. However, there are also those moments that might not seem significant at first but have a deeper meaning upon reflection. Recount a seemingly ordinary day from this year that, upon reflection, holds a special place in your heart.

Every year brings its own set of challenges, both big and small. These challenges test our resilience, patience, and determination. Describe a particular challenge you faced this year and the steps you took to overcome it.

Objects often hold sentimental value and can tell stories about moments, experiences, or people. Think about objects you’ve acquired, lost, or cherished this year. Choose three objects that symbolize your year and explain the significance of each.

Books have the power to change our perspectives, offer solace, or even challenge our beliefs. Reflect on the books you’ve read over the past year. Write about a book that deeply resonated with you this year and how it influenced your thoughts or actions.

Often, we make plans or set goals that, for one reason or another, we don’t get to fulfill. These untraveled paths can be sources of regret, learning, or future aspirations. Discuss a path you didn’t take this year and how you feel about that decision now.

Music has a profound way of capturing moments, emotions, and phases of our lives. Reflect on the songs or melodies that have accompanied you throughout the year. Detail a playlist of five songs that encapsulate your year and explain the significance of each track.

Life has a way of teaching us lessons when we least expect it. Sometimes, these lessons come from unexpected sources or experiences. Write about a lesson you learned this year from an unlikely source or situation.

Locations, whether new or familiar, can have a significant impact on our lives. It could be a new city, a quiet corner in a local park, or even a room in your home. Describe a place you frequented or discovered this year and how it influenced your state of mind or perspective.

Food often carries memories, traditions, and stories. Think about a meal or dish you had this year that evoked strong emotions or memories. Share a recipe that holds significance for you from this year and the story behind it.

In the hustle and bustle of life, there are moments of silence that offer clarity, peace, or introspection. It could be a quiet morning, a solitary walk, or a moment of pause in a busy day. Recount a silent moment from this year that left a lasting impression on you.

Dreams, whether literal or metaphorical, can be powerful sources of inspiration and insight. Reflect on a dream you had this year, either while asleep or a daydream, that had an impact on your waking life. Describe this dream and how it influenced your thoughts or decisions.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that hold the most meaning — a smile from a stranger, a helping hand when you least expected it, or an unexpected gift. Write about a simple gesture you received or witnessed this year that restored your faith in humanity or touched your heart deeply.

Traditions, whether cultural, familial, or personal, connect us to our roots and histories. Reflect on a tradition from your past that you either revisited or reintroduced into your life this year. Discuss the significance of this tradition and how it enriched your year.

Communication isn’t always about what’s said out loud. Sometimes, the most profound messages are those left unsaid or conveyed through non-verbal means. Reflect on a moment this year where silence or unspoken words held deep meaning, and describe the emotions and realizations that arose from it.

Nature has a unique way of grounding us, offering solace, and providing perspective. Whether it’s a breathtaking sunset, a serene forest walk, or the rhythmic sound of waves, nature’s moments can be transformative. Write about a moment in nature this year that offered you clarity or a much-needed escape from the daily grind.

Art, in its many forms, can evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and challenge our perceptions. It could be a painting, a film, a sculpture, or even a dance performance. Describe a piece of art you encountered this year that moved you deeply or prompted you to see the world differently.

Over time, we often set aside hobbies or passions to make way for responsibilities or changing interests. Think about a hobby or activity you once loved and revisited or rediscovered this year. Discuss the joy and nostalgia of reconnecting with this pastime and how it added value to your year.

Life is full of unexpected moments where things seem to fall into place perfectly, often when we least expect it. These moments of serendipity can be magical and affirming. Recount a serendipitous event from this year and how it made you feel about fate or destiny.

Immersing oneself in a new culture or tradition can be enlightening and broaden our horizons. It could be through travel, reading, or even meeting someone from a different background. Write about a cultural experience you had this year and the insights or appreciation it brought into your life.

Giving, whether it’s time, resources, or a simple act of kindness, can be incredibly fulfilling. Reflect on a moment this year where you were on the giving or receiving end of generosity. Describe this act of giving and the ripple effect it had on you or those around you.

The vastness and beauty of the night sky can evoke feelings of wonder, introspection, and connection to the universe. Perhaps you witnessed a meteor shower, a lunar eclipse, or simply gazed at the stars. Share a moment under the night sky this year that made you ponder life’s mysteries or feel connected to something greater.

Founder and Chief Content Curator @ Digital Phrases

I'm a writer, words are my superpower, and storytelling is my kryptonite.