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21 for 2021 Prompts –  The ShiftPoetry Challenge.  Read each prompt (aka scenario) and then write freely and poetically in response. Each prompt triggers different emotions and sensibilities. There are no judgments, no rules, just valuable self-expression. Whatever you write is perfect as long as it is honest and heartfelt.

Prompt No. 3 – Relationships

Maybe you are in an amazing relationship,
Or you would like to be in a relationship,
Whatever your situation is,
How can it be better?
Think about what you can do to bring the sizzle back into your relationship,
Psychology 101 says “we cannot change others, we can only change our reactions to them,”

When you are ready,
Write poetically about what you can do to bring the romance back into your life.

Prompt No. 4 – Old Pasttimes

When you were younger,
What were your interests?
Do you have the same interests now that you had then?
Have you wondered why you never play that sport or sing anymore?
Think about how good you would feel to get back on the horse again,
Figuratively for many but literally for some. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about a lost passion that you would like to pick back up in 2021.

Prompt No. 5 – Reading

When I was younger,
There was a promotion that said “Reading is fundamental,”
Not all books are for everyone,
But there are certain books for each of us,
What topics interest you?
Think about stuff you would enjoy reading in 2021.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about the books you would like to read in 2021 and all the pleasure you will gain.

Prompt No. 6 – Friends

Do you have friends that you have lost touch with?
How many times have you gone to pick up the phone and stopped yourself?
One day you may make that call and nobody will be there to answer,
Stop waiting until tomorrow,
Allow 2021 to be start of the “Action Decade,”
No more procrastinating,
Think and do,
Stop overthinking,
Like Nike says,
“Just Do It.” 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about the friends you will call in 2021.

Prompt No. 7 – Makeovers

When you look in the mirror,
Are you happy with who you see?
If not,
Change,
Become the you that you want to be,
And if you are mostly happy,
Great,
But think about what would make you happier,
Instead of jumping on and off the scale,
Trust your eyes,
Let the mirror be your judge.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about what you will do in 2021 to pass the mirror test.

Prompt No. 8 – Pets

Do you have a pet?
Have you ever wanted a pet?
Are you a dog person?
Or a cat person?
Maybe you like ferrets,
Think about the kinds of pets you like,
Or why pets don’t do it for you.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your feelings about pets and what your pet plans are in 2021.

Prompt No. 9 – Nature

Gently rolling waves,’
Green pastures,
Towering hillsides,
What parts of nature do you enjoy the most?
What attracts you to the outdoors?
Why are you afraid of the outdoors?
Think about your perfect outdoor excursion.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your feelings regarding the outdoors,

Prompt No. 10 – Economics

Are your finances in order?
If so,
Great,
If not,
Great,
Most things work out if you allow them to,
Think about how you would like to improve your finances.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your financial future in 2021.

Prompt No. 11 – Turn Back Time

Looking back on 2020,
What would you like to see happen in 2021?
What would you like to revive from years gone by?
Who would you want to see?
Is that person available?
There are no wrong answers,
All honest heartfelt answers are perfect.

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about those things you look forward to happening in 2021 and the new and improved you,

Prompt No. 12 – Siblings

The saying goes that “you can pick your nose,
“And your friends,
“But you can’t pick your family,”
Think about anyone in your family that you are having difficulty with,
What is your vision of your family?
Think about what you can do to help. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about a family rift that you would like to repair in 2021.

Prompt No. 13 – Aging

How do you feel in the morning?
Do you wake up and spring out of bed?
Or do you roll out of bed to the nearest heating pad?
Aging does contribute to achy bodies,
But you have the capacity to reduce the effects of aging,
Dieting,
Exercising,
Therapy,
Writing,
All these practices can help you to reclaim your “inner zen,”
What do you want to do to be a better you physically and emotionally in 2021?

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about what you will do to be a healthier you in 2021.

Prompt No. 14 – Out with the Old

Do you have flashbacks when you go into your closets?
Have you ever been compared to Goldie Hawn from the days of Laugh-In?
Do people see you and comment on the 1970s?
Have you seen things that you would like to have,
But cannot because you already have “retro-versions” of them,
Think about what you would like to replace in 2021. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about both the old and the new things in your life starting in 2021.

Prompt No. 15 – Celebration

The New Year has come and we are into 2021,
For many of us,
2020 was the year without celebration,
Maybe you lost family members or friends,
Or perhaps you followed the government guidelines and did not gather outside of your household,
But this is a new year,
And hopefully the pandemic will be ended this year,
Think about traditions you have developed during your lifetime?
What traditions do you want to take into 2021? 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your holiday celebrations, past, present, and most important future in the “Action Year 2021.”

Prompt No. 16 – The Future

They say the past is behind us,
And we can’t do much to change the past,
But the future is a blank slate,
Think about 2021,
The three “w’s,”
“Who” do you hope to be with next year?
“Where” will you be?
“What” would you like to be doing in 2021? 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically the answers to these three simple questions, imagine that all your dreams can come true if you just share them openly and honestly. 

Prompt No. 17 – Humor 

Poetry doesn’t have to be serious,
Sometimes it can be downright funny,
Humor also helps us navigate serious situations,
Think about something you are dealing with,
And release yourself from the pain,
Instead focus on the humor of the situation,
The irony of life. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically with humor about something that has been bothering you.  Though you may not be able to eliminate the problem at least you may be able to take some of the sting out of it.

Prompt No. 18 – All Good Memories Aboard

2021 is here,
Think honestly and lovingly about past memories,
What memories would escape the edit room cuts?
Would you want the 2021 adventure to be the same as the past memory?
Who do you want to share your adventures with this year? 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about the past and longingly what you hope to do in 2021.

Prompt No. 19 – Binging 

I normally can say “No,”
But some things are irresistible,
I have found that I love to watch Amazon and Netflix series in one sitting,
Sleep is something I have read about,
But more importantly,
What do you like to binge on?
If your habit is not hurting others,
Then you should enjoy it without guilt,
How do you feel when you are engaged in this activity?
Is your habit something that can be shared? 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your “ binging” habit and buddies.

Prompt No. 20 – Missing You

Did you lose anyone in 2020?
Were you able to get in one last conversation before the curtain-call?
Think about what you would say to the person now,
Imagine being in a room and sharing your thoughts with that person,
Death does not impede the imaginations of the living,
Indulge yourself in the fantasy that you can speak to the dead. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about your conversation with a dearly departed.

Prompt No. 21 – Gratitude

Let’s end this Challenge the same way we should start and end every day,
With gratitude,
What are you grateful for?
Who are you grateful for?
How effusive can you get?
Forget about judgments,
You will not be judged,
Let the silver tongue flourish and give thanks to everything near and dear to you. 

When you are ready,
Begin to write poetically about those things and people you are grateful for.