Feeling irritable, restless, or just a bit "off" but you can't put your finger on why? This prompt walks you through a set of gentle questions that help you dig beneath the surface and work out what's actually going on. You'll get a clear picture of what's really bothering you — and what to do about it.
ChatGPTClaudeGemini
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✨ The Prompt — Copy This
I've been feeling [general feeling — e.g. irritable, anxious, flat, unsettled, "not myself", overwhelmed, on edge] lately, and I can't quite work out why. I'd like help figuring out what's really going on underneath.
Here's what I can tell you:
- When I notice it most: [e.g. in the mornings, at work, when I'm around certain people, when I'm alone, in the evenings, when I try to relax]
- What I've been telling myself it is: [e.g. "I'm just tired", "it's nothing", "I'm being dramatic", "it's just stress" — or "I genuinely don't know"]
- What's been happening in my life recently: [e.g. new job, argument with a friend, money worries, nothing obvious, kids going back to school, a big birthday coming up]
- How it's showing up in my day-to-day: [e.g. snapping at people, not sleeping well, avoiding things I normally enjoy, eating more or less than usual, feeling teary, can't concentrate]
Please help me by:
1. Reflecting back what I've told you — not just repeating it, but connecting the dots in a way I might not have seen. Show me any patterns or links between what I'm feeling and what's going on.
2. Asking me 5 thoughtful follow-up questions that go a bit deeper — the kind a really good friend might ask. Things like what this feeling reminds me of, what I think I need right now, or what I'd change if I could wave a magic wand.
3. Helping me explore whether this is about something on the surface (like a specific situation) or something bigger underneath (like a need that isn't being met, a boundary that's been crossed, or a change I haven't fully processed).
4. Suggesting 3 small, practical things I could do this week to start feeling more like myself — based on what I've shared, not generic advice.
5. Letting me know gently if anything I've described sounds like it might be worth talking to someone about — a GP, a counsellor, or even just a trusted friend.
Keep the tone warm, thoughtful, and completely non-judgmental — like talking to someone who really listens. Use British English throughout. Don't diagnose anything or use clinical language — just help me understand myself a bit better.
Top TipAnswer the follow-up questions it gives you and paste them back in — the second round of responses is usually where the real insight comes, because the AI can work with much more to go on.
By The Prompt Toolbox Team
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