essay ideas about life

110 Personal Essay Topics

Though written from a lived experience, personal essay topics can be tricky to come up with because they have to be universal enough for other people to relate to.

Since the skill of writing a good essay is being able to paint an image with words, students must choose a topic that will get others interested in the story and what it has to say about life, society, or themselves.

In essence, personal essays are written from a personal point of view and express a writer’s own insights, opinions, and feelings on a particular topic. Additionally, these types of essays lead to an overall point, lesson, realization, or revelation.

Most commonly, personal essays are written by high school students as part of their college applications. However, there are many other reasons that a personal essay may be assigned or written, including:

Scholarship applications
Job interview
Writing contest
Grad school admission

Students and others struggling with a valuable personal essay topic can choose from any of the 110 personal essay topics on this list to help them get started.

How to Write a Personal Essay

Writing a personal essay requires following traditional essay guidelines, structure, and format. However, you must ensure that your essay is personal and tells a story about yourself rather than being purely academic.

For instance, you might explain an experience that changed your worldview or share an opinion on something important to you, even if it’s controversial.

It’s often helpful to make a list of experiences you may want to share before starting the writing process.

If you’re struggling with writing your personal essay, you can order one from the professional writers at Write My Essays or hire a tutor at Wyzant to ensure it meets all requirements and effectively tells your story.

Introduction

The introduction to your personal essay will set the scene for the reader. Therefore, your personal essay needs to start with a compelling hook that will draw the reader in and make them want to read more.

This hook statement could be a humorous or poignant anecdote related to your topic or a line of questioning that the reader will be interested in following. For example, some possible opening lines for a personal essay could start with:

“I remember exactly where I was when I first realized …”
“What would you do if you knew the world was going to end tomorrow?
“So, I once had this problem …”

These beginning lines will often create questions in the reader’s mind, which is an excellent way to capture their interest and keep them reading. Following this initial opening sentence, you can introduce other details as you build up the main point of the story.

Your introduction should end with a thesis statement that verbalizes the general direction the story will go.

Body Paragraphs

Generally, a personal essay will have no less than three body paragraphs that detail your experience in chronological order. Each section should discuss one part of the story, including the events leading up to it, what happened during the experience, and what you learned from it.

Body paragraphs may also include examples of feelings, emotions, or arguments that support your experience. The goal of a personal essay is to share a compelling story and teach the reader something about life or themselves by using specific details and language.

Consider this formatting when creating the body paragraphs of your personal essay:

1st Paragraph

Beginning of the story that answers questions related to “Who?” and “Where?”
Initial attitudes, moods, feelings, and assumptions about the event or experience about to take place

2nd Paragraph

Middle of the story
Details that show how the situation evolved over time, including any changes in mood or assumption on your part

3rd Paragraph

Ending of the story/resolution
The final analysis on overall feelings, emotions, and mood

By sticking to this formatting for the body paragraphs, students can ensure that they are telling the story correctly and including every key detail as it happens.

Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion of a personal essay is optional and depends on what you want to accomplish with the telling of your story. If you want to leave the reader feeling inspired or emotionally moved, then focus on summarizing the main points in a short paragraph that ends on a positive note.

However, if this was a darker story, you may want to use the concluding paragraph to sum up your feelings after the experience has ended or explore any unanswered questions that remain.

In any event, your conclusion does need to include an overall moral or lesson of how the writer:

overcame hardship
rose to the occasion
identified new traits or abilities that they never realized existed
turned defeat into success
followed their instincts and made the right choice
came to appreciate something about life after the experience took place

Any of these statements can stand alone as a powerful lesson learned. However, when combined in one concluding paragraph, you will leave your reader with a profound impression.

Using any of these 110 personal essay topics will ensure that you have a strong and interesting story to tell.

Personal Essay Topics About Relationships

What was a time when you made a friend?
What would your worst enemy say about you?
Talk about the death of a friend.
How did it feel to be bullied in school?
The time when you had to get along with a sibling despite being different ages
What you learned from your first relationship
Why marriage isn’t important to you
How you discovered polyamory, and how it changed your view of relationships
How your best friend made you a better person
The lesson you learned from being catfished
The first time you experienced heartbreak
A funny story about how technology ruined a relationship.
How did you learn to recognize love?
Who would you consider your soulmate? What makes them that person specifically for you?
What was your most embarrassing moment as a boyfriend or girlfriend, and what did you learn from it?

Personal Essay Topics About Hardships

The worst thing that ever happened to me
The roughest time in my family’s life
The hardest challenge I’ve ever had to overcome
How did you deal with the stress of moving?
What was your most embarrassing moment as a kid?
What are some reasons that I am grateful for my disability/illness/condition?
When have you had an “Aha!” moment in life?
What’s something terrible that happened to you that turned into something good?
What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my failures?
The time when it almost felt like the world was against me
How did I handle/recover from a severe illness/injury/accident?
When was the first time I realized that life isn’t fair?
What was the biggest struggle I went through in my teens?
The most challenging situation I faced in high school
When was a time when I made a negative impact on someone else?
The first time I got caught stealing
The most embarrassing mistake I ever made with money
What was the most challenging thing about getting sober/clean/overcoming addiction?
When did I realize that life is short and that nobody is promised tomorrow?
How did you learn to persevere through tough times?

Personal Essay Topics About Success & Achievements

Best moment in my sports career
My greatest success story
The time I overcame my fear and found strength I didn’t know I had.
What’s the happiest day of my life?
How did I learn to overcome failure?
The time I knew that dreams really do come true
My greatest triumph over adversity – and what it taught me about myself.
What made you realize that you have to work hard in order to achieve something meaningful in life?
When did I know that I had made it in life?
When was the first time you were acknowledged for your achievements?
The night when my hard work truly paid off
My most powerful moment after overcoming a setback
How did I become successful?
What are some defining moments in my career?
How did I make it through a difficult time in college/university?
What motivated me to become the person I am today?

Personal Essay Topics About Personal Growth & Self-Reflection

Whose lifelong encouragement helped make me who I am today
The first time I took responsibility for my own actions
What gave me the courage to be myself?
The most valuable life lesson I’ve ever received. Who taught it to me, and what was the context?
How did I get through a difficult childhood/adolescence/teenage years?
What did I learn from becoming a yoga master?
How has meditation helped me overcome anger issues?
How did I recover from using drugs and alcohol?
What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from quitting my job?
When did I realize that life is too short to hate someone?
The moment when I knew it was time for a change
I made a mistake – and this is how I bounced back
How did I overcome depression/anxiety/mental illness?

Personal Essay Topics About Passions & Hobbies

How did learning a skill change my life?
Why exercise makes me a better person
My passion for writing
What’s the best advice I’ve ever received? Who gave it to me, and in what situation?
The moment when I realized my true calling in life
The importance of keeping a journal and how it has helped me become a better person
My biggest bucket list dream and why it’s so important to me
What is my vision for the future?
How did I find peace, contentment, and happiness?
The time when I truly lived outside of my comfort zone
When was the moment when I felt like I “got” meditation?
My journey towards becoming vegan. What inspired me to make this change, and what were the challenges I faced?
What lessons have been easy for me to learn, and which ones have been harder?
The time when travel changed my life

Personal Essay Topics About Challenges & Failures

The low point of my life and how I got through it
How did an illness/injury/death in the family affect me?
Why did I decide to stop going on blind dates?
What were the consequences of losing my temper, and how did I make amends?
The time when I was broken. What happened, who got hurt, and how did it affect me? How did I overcome this experience?
When was the moment when I realized that my words carry weight?

Personal Essay Topics About Family & Childhood Memories

The time when my family showed me what unconditional love means
My most vivid childhood memory and how it has affected me as an adult
How did I learn to be patient and kind?
What was the moment that sparked a change in my life? What caused this change, and what happened after the changes took place?
The moment when I realized the true meaning of friendship
What lessons did growing up teach me about life?
My childhood dream and what it taught me about myself
How do I feel about my hometown after living in three different places?
Why is it important to visit your birthplace/hometown during holidays/vacations?
My family’s most influential life lesson and how it has affected me
What was the moment when I realized that my parents had their own struggles?
The time when I learned about my family history. What happened, why did this happen, and how did it affect me? How did things change after this event?
What do I know about family traditions now that I didn’t understand as a child?
Why are your family memories vital to you?

Personal Essay Topics About Cultural Heritage & Identity

What does being bilingual/multilingual mean to me? Why is it unique?
My first interaction with someone from another culture
What’s wrong with cultural appropriation, and how did I learn to stop?
The moment when I became aware of my race/ethnicity
My culture’s most influential life lesson and how it has affected me
How I learned to not be afraid of my cultural differences
Why is diversity important in my community? In what ways do I contribute?
The moment I realized that I am proud of my culture
How has the immigrant/refugee experience shaped who you are today?
How traditions have changed the way I view my family

Personal Essay Topics About Childhood Dreams & Aspirations

What were my childhood dreams, and how have they changed over the years?
How did I make peace with the fear of growing up?

Any of these 110 personal essay topics are perfect for students struggling to find a topic that will impress a college admission officer or any other person with whom you’re trying to connect with on a personal level through storytelling.

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160+ Personal Essay Topics

Samuel Gorbold

A personal essay is a reflective, narrative piece in which the writer explores their own experiences, thoughts, and emotions. It combines storytelling with introspection, aiming to connect with readers through personal insights, relatable themes, and authentic self-expression.

This guide lays out a bunch of personal essay topics that make it easy to get started. Each prompt is a chance to revisit a memory or explore a lesson you didn’t expect.

And if you’re feeling stuck, remember EssayHub is here to help at any step, from brainstorming to final edits.

Best Personal Essay Ideas

Sometimes the best stories come from the everyday moments we don’t think twice about, until we start telling them. Here are personal essay topics to help you remember those small (or big) experiences that have left a mark.

That one time you realized you were actually way out of your comfort zone
A hilarious miscommunication that had everyone laughing for days
The weirdest place you unexpectedly felt right at home
The day you learned how to laugh at yourself (and actually enjoyed it)
A friendship that lasted just one summer but changed you
The first time you really questioned something you’d always accepted
A family tradition that you used to roll your eyes at but now love
The little ritual you can’t skip, no matter how busy life gets
Your most “facepalm” embarrassing moment (and why it still makes you laugh)
That one compliment from a random stranger that totally changed your day
A childhood dream that you let go of but still remember fondly
A small act of kindness from a stranger that stayed with you
The book, movie, or song that just “got you” when you needed it
A holiday or event that made you feel deeply connected to your culture
That one time you did something way outside your usual routine
A deep conversation with a grandparent, sibling, or friend you’ll never forget
The time you tried something you were afraid of and it went better than expected
The most challenging group project you ever had to finish
A day spent alone that ended up being surprisingly meaningful
The time you completely misread someone, only to realize later how wrong you were
Your first big disappointment and how you managed to get through it
A skill you struggled with forever before finally nailing it
A friend who taught you more about yourself than you ever expected
A hobby you share with someone who inspires you
A life lesson from a place you never thought you’d learn anything
The longest trip you’ve ever taken, and how it changed you
An argument or debate that ended up teaching you a surprising lesson
A laughing fit so intense you remember it years later
That setback you thought was the end of the world but led to something good
A moment you realized the beauty in something simple you’d always overlooked

Personal Essay Topics about Relationships

The friend who taught you what true loyalty looks like
A mentor who shaped your life more than you ever expected
The first time you really saw things from a parent’s perspective
A relationship that faded over time and what it taught you about change
A time when you had to be there for a friend during a tough situation
A moment you realized a friendship was stronger than you thought
The first serious disagreement you had with someone close and how it changed things
A family member who always supports you, even in unexpected ways
A moment when you had to choose between being honest and protecting a friend’s feelings
The one person who has always encouraged you to follow your dreams
An unexpected friendship that developed when you needed it most
A friend who has changed as much as you have, but in different ways
A family gathering that opened your eyes to a new side of your relatives
A time you felt like the “outsider” in a group and what you learned from it
A friend who taught you about forgiveness, even in tough situations

Personal Essay Topic Ideas about Hardships

A time you faced rejection and how you found the strength to keep going
The most challenging year of your life and how you handled it
A moment when you felt completely out of your depth but kept moving forward
An injury or illness that changed your outlook on health and resilience
Losing something or someone important and learning to cope
A personal failure that pushed you to grow in unexpected ways
The first time you felt truly lost and how you began to find yourself
A financial struggle that taught you the value of resourcefulness
A major setback that forced you to reevaluate your goals
A time when you felt like giving up but found a reason to continue
An unexpected responsibility that pushed you beyond your comfort zone
The experience of being let down by someone you trusted deeply
A difficult goodbye and what it taught you about letting go
Learning to accept a part of yourself that felt hard to embrace
A time you had to stand up for yourself, even though it was uncomfortable

Topics for Personal Essays about Success

That time you finally nailed something you’d been struggling with for ages
A project or challenge you took on, despite doubting yourself
The moment you realized how far you’ve come in your personal growth
An accomplishment that others might overlook but that you’re proud of
Winning over a fear and how it changed your confidence
A time you set a big goal and actually followed through
An unexpected opportunity you seized and the impact it had
The feeling of mastering a skill that used to intimidate you
Completing a task or goal that required tons of patience
Celebrating a victory you worked hard for but almost gave up on
A “first” you reached that still stands out in your memory
Overcoming a setback to achieve something meaningful
Your first solo accomplishment, without any help or advice
Learning to measure success on your own terms
Reaching a personal best in a hobby, sport, or activity

Personal Essay Topics about Personal Growth

Learning to trust your own voice and decisions
Navigating a challenging situation that taught you resilience
Becoming more comfortable with who you are and what you stand for
Adapting to a new environment and finding your place in it
Letting go of perfectionism and embracing “good enough”
Gaining perspective after experiencing something completely new
Discovering the value of patience in a fast-paced world
Developing a sense of empathy through someone else’s story
Reconnecting with a passion you had lost along the way
Finding confidence in your unique qualities and quirks
Shifting your mindset about what it means to be successful
Realizing the importance of setting boundaries in relationships
Learning to accept criticism without taking it personally
Growing through a disagreement or conflict that challenged your views
Letting go of an old belief and embracing a new perspective

Personal Essay Topics about Hobbies

The hobby you could spend hours on without noticing the time
What you’ve learned about yourself through your favorite creative outlet
An unusual hobby or collection that always gets people asking questions
How you got into a hobby you once thought was “not for you”
The time you shared a hobby with a friend or family member
What it feels like to get “in the zone” with something you love doing
A skill you picked up as a hobby and never expected to enjoy
The satisfaction of finishing a project you spent ages working on
A hobby that’s taught you patience and persistence in small steps
The surprising ways your hobby has connected you to others
Your favorite hobby that started as a total accident
A time when your hobby helped you through a rough patch
How your hobby has evolved as you’ve gotten better at it
The weirdest or funniest moment you've had while doing your hobby
A hobby you love that doesn’t feel like “work” at all

Personal Essay Topics about Challenges

Overcoming a fear that held you back for a long time
The hardest decision you’ve ever had to make and why it mattered
A period of loneliness and how you found connection again
A time you faced criticism and had to look inward for validation
A family struggle that helped you see things in a new light
Losing something you thought you needed and discovering you were okay without it
A conflict that made you rethink your values and priorities
Coping with a period of uncertainty and finding your way through it
A tough lesson in patience and persistence
A time you had to apologize when it was hard but necessary
Learning to forgive yourself for a mistake that stayed with you
A difficult transition period and what it taught you about resilience
A moment you felt misunderstood and learned to advocate for yourself
An experience that taught you the importance of asking for help
A time when things didn’t go as planned, but you found strength in adapting

Personal Essay Topics about Family

The one family tradition you look forward to every year
A moment you realized how much a family member meant to you
Something quirky about your family that you secretly love
How you’ve seen a sibling, cousin, or parent grow over the years
A memorable family trip where everything went off-script
An unexpected way your family has influenced who you are
A holiday or event where your family’s true colors came out
The funniest story you’ve heard from an older family member
The “family sayings” or inside jokes that only make sense to you
A family recipe that holds a special place in your heart
A time you found yourself defending a family member
What it’s like growing up with a unique family dynamic
An unexpected lesson you learned from a parent or grandparent
A story about the most eccentric person in your family
A family heirloom or object that tells a story all on its own

Personal Essay Topics about Aspirations

The dream job you’ve had since you were a kid (or a new one that surprised you)
How a small goal led you to think bigger than you ever expected
A personal milestone you’re working toward and what it means to you
What motivates you when things get tough on the path to your goals
An ambition that feels totally “you” and why it matters
How you imagine yourself in five years and what you’re doing to get there
A time you shared your dream with someone and got an unexpected response
The little things you do each day that bring you closer to your goals
The person who inspires you to keep working toward your aspirations
The one change you’d like to make in the world and why
A time you had to let go of one dream to make space for another
An accomplishment you hope to celebrate someday and how you plan to get there
How your ambitions have shifted as you’ve grown up
A life lesson you’ve learned while working toward something big
The best advice you’ve received about following your dreams

Good Personal Essay Topics

The story of a difficult choice you had to make and what happened next
About a time you felt gratitude deeply and how it affected you
Family traditions that have shaped your personal identity
A surprising way you learned a valuable life lesson
Your best friend and the one lesson they’ve taught you that you’ll carry forever
Something your family history has taught you about your own life
How regular exercise (or any routine) changed your outlook over time
A “first job” experience and what you learned from it
The first paragraph of your life’s story that you’d want admissions officers to know
A story told by a family member that gave you a new understanding
A million-dollar idea you came up with or a dream you’d pursue with that money
How a time of “failure” helped set you up for later success
An Ivy League school or dream school and what draws you to it
A day that started out ordinary but led to an unforgettable memory
Something unexpected that sparked a passion or deep interest in you

For more guidance on how to write a personal essay , check out EssayHub’s blog, where you’ll find tips for crafting stories that reflect who you really are.

Choosing a personal essay topic doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game.

Start by thinking about moments that left a mark: maybe that one summer adventure, a family tradition you’ll never forget, or a lesson you learned from a friend. Narrow it down by asking yourself what feels most true to your own life, something you’d genuinely enjoy sharing.

Once you have a few ideas, go for the one that comes with the clearest story in your mind. That’s usually a sign you’ll have the most to say.

And remember, writing is a process. If you hit a roadblock, EssayHub is a place where you can hire essay writer and get necessary assistance. So grab a prompt, start writing, focus, and let your story do the talking.

How to Choose a Personal Essay Topic?

What are good personal essay topics.

Samuel Gorbold , a seasoned professor with over 30 years of experience, guides students across disciplines such as English, psychology, political science, and many more. Together with EssayHub, he is dedicated to enhancing student understanding and success through comprehensive academic support.

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