At the beginning of January, I began searching through Pinterest for new writing prompts. As part of my own New Year's resolution, I was going to get back into creative journaling. I just needed a little push or shove into the right direction.

I was quite surprised to find how useful Pinterest actually is for writers. I found entire lists of thought provoking and mind triggering prompts! But there was one that would take me on a month long journey into myself.

On my search for journaling prompts, I stumbled across a link that brought me to a blog titled "This is Me Challenge" and I read through it. It was an entire writing challenge centered around personal history and the self. It sounded like one of those time-capsules where you take a shoebox and fill it with little personal artifacts. It is just like that but in writing. I decided to take this challenge.

I began with a fresh, brand new journal and started to write. The challenge has several categories, each with its own in-depth questions. Through this writing exercise, I found myself writing about things I had forgotten about and things that I had ignored for many years. Though an excellent journaling prompt, I found that I had to change many of the challenge's aspects.

The blog was originally geared towards people from "traditional" families with a more Christian background. That is okay. A lot of other people could relate to it, but I know many people (myself included) who could not answer some of the questions. I still wanted to continue with this challenge, just on my own terms. I decided to make my own reimagined version of the "This is Me Challenge". When I finished my edits, I was left with a new, more inclusive personal history prompt.

After a month of this amazing, emotional and exhausting journey, I have completed my own personal history. Considering how I am still a sophomore in college, I know that I will eventually have to add to my personal history.

Young people are always told how they have no life experience or that they have no life story to tell. I believe that we do have experiences and stories to tell. It is never too early to record your life's story. This is a writing challenge that will take a lot longer than your average prompt, but it is worthwhile and worth the time it takes to complete.

This is Me Writing Challenge

1. Birth and Family

What is your name? Do you know the story of your name? Do you have any other names?

When and where were you born? Is there a story?

Write about your parents/guardians. What are their names? Where are they from? Do you have any siblings?

How is your relationship with your family?

2. Childhood

Where did you grow up?

List some of your earliest memories.

What did you use to do as a child? What did you enjoy? Did you have any quirks?

Who were your childhood friends? Do you still know them?

How was your school?

3. Teenage years

What were your interests? Were you involved in any activities?

Who were your friends? What would you do with your friends? Do you know them today?

Did you have a significant other? How was that relationship?

How did you do in school? Did you have a favorite subject? Was there a teacher who impacted you the most?

4. College/young adult years

Did you choose to go to college? How did you choose your school(s)? How did you choose your major(s)? Did you choose any minors?

What were your favorite classes? What were your least favorite? How were your professors?

Did you get involved with any student clubs or organizations? Did you hold any important positions?

Where did you live? If you did not live at home, how was it like living on your own? Describe your roommates.

Who were your friends? What were some positive things you did? What were some crazy things you did?

5. Work

What was your first job? Did you like it? What other jobs did you have? Which was your favorite?

Who were your bosses and co-workers?

What was your dream job growing up? Has that changed? What are you doing now?

Do you plan on retiring one day?

6. Marriage

What are your views on marriage? Do you think it is necessary for a relationship?

If you have taken those steps, how did you meet your spouse? How did you become engaged? What was the wedding like?

7. Children

If you have children, what are their names? What is the story of their names? When and where were they born?

8. Spirituality

How were you raised? Was your family religious? What were your views growing up? Did you ever choose (or think about choosing) a different spiritual path?

What are your spiritual beliefs/religion right now? How has it helped you?

Are there any texts, books, music, or pieces of art that spiritually affect you?

9. Home life

Where have you lived? Did you have a favorite place?

Are you a neat-freak or more laid back?

How is your own decorating style? How has it changed?

10. Food

What is your relationship with food?

Do you have any food preferences? What are your favorite and least favorite foods?

Do you like to cook or bake?

Are there any favorite places you like to go out to?

11. Health

How is your overall health?

Have you ever had surgery or broken any bones? Are there any interesting health stories?

What do you do to stay healthy?

12. The Outside World and Politics

What major world events can you remember? How have they impacted you and your generation?

What are your own views on your home country?

Who was the first president you remember?

Have you ever been outside your country? If you could travel to any country, where would you go?

What was your favorite place you have been?

Are you politically involved? Do you follow a party?

How do you choose who to vote for?

13. Nature

What is your relationship with nature?

What is your favorite natural place(s) to go? How do those places make you feel?

What are some of your nature memories?

14. Technology

How has technology changed throughout your life so far? How does it affect your own life?

What are your views on social media?

Do you prefer print books or e-books?

15. Fun Facts

These are fun questions. Feel free to add or change to your preferences.

What is the most daring thing you have done?

What is the nicest thing you have done?

What is the most stupid thing you have done?

What was your most embarrassing moment?

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would you change?

What is your favorite book?

Movie?

animal?

What would you do if you had one free day?

16. Death

What is your belief and attitude towards death? Is there an afterlife?

Do you have a "bucket list"?

What do you want done with you body?

How do you want to be remembered?

Here is the link to the original challenge that inspired my list http://ldsthisismechallenge.blogspot.com/p/persona...