Happy Wednesday, readers, writers, and shark fans!

More specifically, Happy FIRST Wednesday of 2026! And welcome to our first Writing Prompt Wednesday of the new year! Yays all around!

At the beginning of the year, I love to do a creative writing prompt that’s more journalistic and self-reflective in nature, but it’s nice, because it can still be put toward your creative work and get you thinking about your craft.

This year, I want us all to take a moment to think about our mindset, where we might be sitting right now, and where we want to go. Namely, there’s enough negativity circulating in the world already; we don’t need to create more of it and have it spinning around in our minds, too.

And I want us to address this through the new year’s resolutions we might have set for ourselves. Saying, “I’m going to write every day” or “I’m going to write a novel this year,” seems harmless enough on the surface, but when you dig a little deeper, there can be some pretty negative messaging housed there, and there might be a more positive way to phrase those goals to ourselves.

Below, I’ve included a list of phrases I’ve often said to myself and that I know other writers have used. Following each, I’ve included a kinder phrase we can use, and why that’s important.

For today’s prompt, I’d love for you to sit with these for a few minutes and see if there’s one that resonates for you. Write it down in your own notebook, and see if it leads you somewhere: the start of a reflection, the opening of a poem, an image of a bird taking flight, anything. Just give yourself permission, and let it in. 

I’ll write every day. 
Instead: I will write often.
Why? Rigidity shackles creativity. Rhythm, a promise, sustains it.

I’ll finally find time to write.
Instead: I will create a boundary for my writing.
Why? Time doesn’t just appear. It has to be claimed.

I’ll be more disciplined in my writing. 
Instead: I’ll be more honest in my writing.
Why? Most resistance is emotional, not moral.

I’ll write when I feel inspired. 
Instead: I’ll write to invite inspiration in.
Why? Inspiration often follows action, not intention.

I’ll finish writing a book.
Instead: I’ll finish writing this scene.
Why? Books are built from small, survivable units.

I’ll stop procrastinating. 
Instead: I’ll face what’s causing my avoidance.
Why? Avoidance comes from a place of protection. Heal what needs protecting.

I’ll write faster, and more words, this year.
Instead: I’ll write deeper.
Why? Depth creates momentum naturally (and a higher word count!).

I’ll fix my writing.
Instead: I’ll let it be “broken” first.
Why? You can’t revise what doesn’t exist.

I’ll be more confident in my writing.
Instead: I’ll be more curious in my writing.
Why? Curiosity quiets self-doubt better than bravado can.

This year will be different.
Instead: I’ll show up differently.
Why? Change lives in behavior, not hope. Nothing changes… if nothing changes.

Happy Writing, Readers, Writers, and Shark Fans!

P.S. I’m focusing primarily on being more curious and showing up differently. Which did you choose?