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Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

Posted by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw, Jun 19, 2020

Long ago –okay, for me, it was long ago!- it was common for a young person to keep a diary, a place to write down the heartaches and giggles of growing up, the trials and tribulations of school, friendships, sports and activities. Sometimes it was a locked book, so that we felt secure knowing our secret thought remained a secret.

How times have changed! While I no longer keep a classic diary, it is no less important for me to write down thoughts, ideas, and heaven-knows-what, on a regular basis. Nowadays, the common name is a “journal”, and seems to appeal to every segment of society. There are an abundance of ways to do this, and so many reasons why. Although I prefer longhand, many people use a computer, and there are any number of prompts/styles/methods.

Let’s explore this together!

Do you journal? What prompted you to start? What would you tell someone who wants to start?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 19 7:21pm
In reply to @sandwalk "I used to journal positive and negative days and keep a record of that. However, my..." + (show)
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I used to journal positive and negative days and keep a record of that. However, my social worker said to keep a diary of all the things I accomplished that day and also list a few things I am grateful for. It seems to me he wants to keep everything positive which I can understand. He also told me two helpful things one. Don't compare yourself to others or to how you were in the past. And don't try to be perfect. So I keep these thoughts in my head because I have a really hard time when I compare myself to others who are doing much better. I started viibryd for depression and hope it works. I have some moments when I'm depressed and anxious, but it certainly is better than before the medicine and I've been on the medicine almost 2 weeks and the plan is to raise the dosage slowly

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@sandwalk "Comparanoia" can be a very real thing for many of us. When I look at artwork done by others, I do that, and then beat myself up, sometimes. We each have our good points. Remember that.

A saying that comes to mind is, "there is not strong light without shadow". For myself, that translates that I need to recognize those days/times when things may not be all positive. It gives me something to work on, to bring about more positivity in my life, and deal with the shadow stuff. To not compare ourselves to others is really hard! But you could look at it as, "oooh, I want to be like that/do that. How can I get to that point, what will I need to do?" This way you are looking at an example of where you want to strive to . Does that make sense?

It takes time for our bodies to adjust to the new medications. Please let me know how you are doing, okay?
Ginger

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jun 20 6:19pm
In reply to @paulko "I was a great journalist for awhile. Now that I’ve retired it’s time to get back..." + (show)
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I was a great journalist for awhile. Now that I’ve retired it’s time to get back at it. The introspection was always helpful.

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Hello, @paulko

I've always found journaling to be an extraordinary experience. The more you do it, the more extraordinary it becomes. I've been journaling for … oh, gosh, I can't even guess how many years! In the first years, if I missed a morning or gave in to just not feeling like journaling, it was No Big Deal. Nowadays, however? Oh boy! I have no choice. Journaling is my early morning fix (along with my coffee!). As you say: introspection is helpful. I might go as far as to say it's essential!

Keep that pen moving, @paulko
Cheers!
ray (@ray666)

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 11 hours ago

I have been journaling for decades. It is a go-to way for me to express myself, check in with myself, and over the decades, to heal myself.

Recently I had a visit with my brother, and discovered he uses a journaling system that can best be described as "modular". A different set of [refillable] pages for calendar, or writing, or planning, or drawing, or musings. So, my question for those who would like to share their experience, what do you use? It seems to be a fad these days, having a modular system. Do you do that? I am thinking of doing that, but you know how old habits die hard! My library has a lot of individual journals, a few dedicated only to my poetry, some to musings/thoughts only, many to daily-type writings.

What have you tried and felt it didn't fit how you wanted it to? Do you take your writing "on the road" with you, or have portable paper and pen along? What have you tried, stuck with for a while, then tried something new?

Enquiring minds want to know!
Ginger

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