10 "what if" journal prompts for bedtime

The 5-minute rule

One question per night
No more than three lines
End on "one small thing to try tomorrow"

Ten questions

If there was a fork today, what would the other way have changed?
How did the me in another universe spend today?
Is there something I didn’t say today that the other me did?
One thing I envy about the other me today
One thing the other me would envy about me
Someone I met today: what were we to each other in another universe?
How would I explain today in one line to myself ten years ago?
One scene from today I wouldn’t change if I lived it again
What would the other me do first tomorrow morning?
One piece of that I can borrow tomorrow

After a wistful question like 3 or 4, mix in one that accepts the present, like 5 or 8, so the journal doesn’t become a confession.

A reply to the other you

Once a week, swap the question for a three-line reply to the other you: a greeting, news from this side, and encouragement. It is like writing to your future self, but pointed sideways, which feels less heavy.

This article offers general ideas for everyday reflection and is not counseling or therapy. If regret or low mood stays with you and makes daily life hard, talk to a professional. If you are in crisis, in the US you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline); elsewhere, contact your local emergency number or crisis line.

Parallel Lives is an app made for fun and reflection. The forks, jobs, contentment scores and fates it shows are creative text generated from a name and birthday. They are not fortune-telling, prophecy or a psychological test, and carry no factual or predictive meaning.

Using the app alongside

Today’s universe card on the first screen: today, universe 4 is the one closest to you — Today’s universe

Let today’s universe set the question

The first screen of Parallel Lives shows a "Today’s universe" that changes each day. Use that universe’s job or place as material for question 2 and every entry turns out different.

The sample name in the screenshots is a placeholder; you can enter any name or nickname.

Read a letter, write back

Tap Open the letter on a universe card, read what the other you wrote, then reply in your journal. Settings offers light and dark themes; dark is easier on the eyes at bedtime.

FAQ

Is it pointless if I can’t write every day?

Not at all. One question whenever you feel like it is fine; don’t try to fill missed days.

Only regrets come to mind.

On those nights write just question 8, the scene you wouldn’t change, and close the book. If the thoughts keep hurting, talking to someone close or a professional can help.

Parallel Lives: The Other You

No sign-up, fully offline. A free Android app made for fun and reflection.

Get it on Google Play