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.

marjou | @marjou | Apr 11, 2022

I too need courage to start journaling again!

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Apr 11, 2022

In reply to @marjou "I too need courage to start journaling again!" + (show)

@marjou, this could be your opening line in your journal entry. What is the obstacle holding you back?

Barb | @amberpep | May 27, 2022

I was in therapy for many years when I lived in MD, and I journaled constantly .... about everything .... my kids, my divorce, my home .... everything. During the time of my divorce they were pretty dark, and as I didn't want them around for my kids to find after I went Home, my son in law burned them for me. I have now been journaling a "Gratitude Journal." Every night before I go to bed, I write down the things I'm grateful for. I started with just 3 and went from there. After a time, I found that it slowly began to turn my mind around from the negative things in life to the positive. Is my life great right now? No, not at all, but I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and kids who are all grown, healthy Christians who love me. This has been tremendous for me, and truly does help me begin to realize how blessed I am.
Barb/abby

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 28, 2022

In reply to @amberpep "I was in therapy for many years when I lived in MD, and I journaled constantly..." + (show)

@amberpep Our moderator @colleenyoung moved this over to the existing discussion on journaling.

Barb, thank you for reminding me and others, that journaling can really be a positive step for dealing with our everyday challenges, as you have found out. I try to keep pen and paper around me most of the time, to jot a note down or do more extensive writing, as needed.

Do you mix your gratitude journal entries with others? One thing I am always curious about, is what people do for a journal. Make your own? Use a spiral notebook? Splurge and buy a specific book, or a guided journal? Over the years I have tried all of these, and currently use a 6-ring "binder" with A5 size paper. Some pages have lines, some are blank. Do you glue or tape in photos/quotes? Mix your colors of ink?

I'll be interested to read what you and others do for your journaling right now!
Ginger

rely1ngonhelp | @rely1ngonhelp | May 28, 2022

Hi, everyone, I have written in a journal or diary most of my life. I realize that when I do it I am more able to cope with my emotions a lot of the time. I am also more than able to express myself to my mom since she is my primary caregiver at this point.

yvilletom | @yvilletom | Jun 8, 2022

I’m feeling happy to journalize here, and to share what I found valuable.
Do I? Yes, now in a shirtpocket-size wirebound notebook I always carry.
I always first describe a feeiling, an emotion. The couple who advised me said, “Do not start with ‘I feel that….’ because a thought always follows.”
I wanted to stop the intectualizing I’d used as a defense, and succeeded.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 9, 2022

In reply to @yvilletom "I’m feeling happy to journalize here, and to share what I found valuable. Do I? Yes,..." + (show)

@yvilletom Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

Being able to jot down thoughts at any time is very useful, and like you, I keep a small notebook with me at all times. Some people use a recording device, or a phone to make notes. So many different ways to ensure we can get those thoughts/ideas/feelings out of our head and onto paper, right!?

That is an interesting idea, what that couple advised you. How long did it take you to break the habit of "I feel that..."? Often, when I start journaling, I take a few sentences to describe the weather, or where I am at, and it seems to ground me, and settles me in to the writing.

Do you keep a regular journaling practice?
Ginger

rely1ngonhelp | @rely1ngonhelp | Jun 9, 2022

For me part of my journaling practice starts with a prayer journal and I use a extra large notebook that has over 1000 pages for that. I also use it for Bible studies but for general purposes I use it as well sometimes but now for emotions I have a seperate one for that and another Study I am doing as well.

maxxr | @maxxr | Jun 11, 2022

I used to maintain my journal in the form of poems until mid-2020. And I have not written anything since then. I used to write down my feelings and activities in the structure of various poems, following the writing prompts of the Miraquill app to keep the writing fun going. Then as the time passed, I was not able to maintain the regularity due to frequent writer's block. As a proxy, now I doodle or make small paintings as per time.