What is What I Want Me to Know: A Journal for My Teenage Years about?
It is a guided journal for teens to record daily thoughts, memories, goals, and reflections during their teenage years. The book is designed as a keepsake you can look back on later.
Who wrote this journal?
This journal was written by Emelie A. Blank, MA, LPC. She is a therapist, speaker, group practice owner, and writer.
How does this journal help teens?
It helps teens reflect on their experiences, emotions, relationships, and future goals through writing prompts. The introduction also describes journaling as a tool for managing stress.
Is this a daily journal or a prompt journal?
It is both a daily journal and a prompt journal. It includes dated-style daily thought pages along with guided reflection prompts, monthly check-ins, and themed pages.
What kinds of prompts are in this teen journal?
The prompts focus on topics like friendships, family, identity, school, future plans, anxiety, coping skills, social media, values, and favorite memories. There are also lighter prompts about music, hobbies, travel, and favorite things.
Does What I Want Me to Know include mental health or coping prompts?
Yes, it includes prompts about stress, anxiety, calming down, resilience, coping skills, and giving yourself a pep talk. These are reflective writing prompts rather than clinical exercises.
Can teens use this journal in any order?
Yes, the introduction says there is no right order and encourages readers to jump around. Teens can respond to whichever prompts feel most relevant at the time.
Does this journal have enough space for regular writing?
Yes, it includes many "My Daily Thoughts" pages throughout the book for ongoing writing. It also has dedicated spaces for monthly reflections and short letter-style entries.
What is the format of the journal?
The journal is structured with repeating daily thought pages, prompt pages, monthly check-ins, "Dear Me" reflection pages, and occasional top-five creative list activities. It is a guided journal rather than a blank notebook.
Is this journal specifically for teenagers?
Yes, the subtitle says it is "A Journal for My Teenage Years," and the prompts focus on teen life. Topics include school, friendships, identity, family rules, social media, and high school graduation.
Would this journal work for a teen who is new to journaling?
Yes, it appears beginner-friendly because it provides specific prompts and structured pages instead of expecting teens to start from a blank page. The mix of short and open-ended entries can make it easier to begin.
Can a teen use this journal on their own?
Yes, the journal is set up for independent use. It speaks directly to the teen reader and does not require parent or teacher participation.
Is this more about memories or self-discovery?
It is both. The journal encourages teens to preserve memories from their teenage years while also reflecting on identity, emotions, values, and personal growth.
Does the journal focus only on serious topics?
No, it mixes serious reflection with lighter prompts. Alongside questions about anxiety, mistakes, and relationships, it also includes prompts about favorite songs, dream destinations, funny moments, and hobbies.
If I want a keepsake journal to look back on after high school, will this help?
Yes, that is one of the journal's main purposes. The introduction encourages teens to save it and revisit it later as a record of what mattered during those years.
If I want help reflecting on friendships, family, and the future, is this a good fit?
Yes, those are major themes throughout the journal. Many prompts ask teens to think about relationships, personal growth, future goals, and how they are changing over time.
