Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

I do occasional journaling...and it's it's ramblings. That's why I like it. I also dabble in Neographic Design which is ramblings with a pen and paint! It's really fun, relaxing, and just let's the mind go where it wants to. I found out about it through Mayo Connect but you can search and/or find on YouTube.

I'm a poet who journaled for six months as part of my MFA degree. I think I learned some helpful tips. First,
write only for yourself. Don't think about how your writing would sound or look to someone else. Second,
write whatever comes into your head. It doesn't have to make any sense. You're expressing your emotions.
That means, don't edit what you're writing, just get it on the page, computer screen, phone. Fourth, do it every
day, preferably at the same time. Spend fifteen minutes to one-half hour. Fifth, don't give up if the page is
blank. Eventually, something will come to mind. I don't do this anymore, but I should. Journaling is a comforting
emotional release. There's some wonderful connection between the hand, the mind and the heart. I should
really take my own advice. Ramble, ramble, ramble.

@petuniamom567 How interesting to hear you did journaling as part of a =n MFA degree. So I take it was an assignment, or did you have a choice? How did you feel at the beginning if you had no experience in journaling? What guidelines did you source out? At the end, were you disappointed to stop? Or did you find the comforting emotional release you refer too much to handle?

Rambling is good. You never know what may appear on paper! And there is nothing saying you ever need to reread it again. I have a couple boxes of journals taped up and stored. And my writings from high school are tucked away, too.
Ginger

Thank you all for your time and suggestions!

I especially liked the suggestions about writing about a specific event, what you’d do differently, how it made you feel, etc. I can think of a couple things right away that were really difficult and still affect me.

When I have journaled in the past, pretty much everything I write is really negative. Is that ok? I mean, will it help “purge” the negativity by writing it down?….or, will it perpetuate the negative thoughts and feelings?

Thanks

One of the gratitudes in my life - big one really - was journaling started in high school with an assignment from advanced English composition. It turns out it is wonderful to sound out your thoughts on paper before you share them elsewhere. Over the years have tried many methods. Whenever needed I lean into the process of timed writing where you keep writing anything without putting the pen down ….. just write whatever comes to mind. (“I think…” isn’t necessarily helpful just go for the word - no edits!!
This morning….
Hard start - body signals keep waking me hourly. Pain? Discomfort really
Breathe deeply and inhabit my body - stretch and know it.
Sigh. Thanks for taking the time. Best day…..

I got back into journaling regularly by taking a free online writing course from Nadia Colburn. It is only a five day commitment, has a meditation/breathing prompt, then a piece of poetry or a quote, then some words to use in your journaling if you want them. I found it got me back into the groove of writing often. I also do an illustrated journal with watercolors. They are all written for my eyes ~ I love making them and reading through old ones.
Every morning I rise early and write for twenty minutes or until I finish. A lovely practice!

@paulalina,

I so appreciate your sharing about the writing course and how it helped you to get back to journaling. It sounds like it has become a great addition to your life.

I also went online and found some journaling prompts which might be helpful to anyone who is interested in journaling, https://camillestyles.com/wellness/30-journal-prompts-to-start-your-day-feeling-inspired/.

Hello @slmremy

You have added a new dimension to journaling as you discussed the process of "timed writing" where you just keep writing random thoughts as they come to you. It sounds like a good technique if you are just starting to journal or if you don't know what to write.

Is this process something that you learned or did it just come to you?

@witsend000, from reading what others have said, I came up with these suggestions:
- Don’t overthink it. Write as it comes to you, negative or otherwise. The key point is not to edit yourself.

But I can understand your concern about perpetuating negative thoughts or feeling, so why not try:
1. Reflect on the event you wish to write about and intentionally reflect on the things you liked or appreciated about the event.
2. Start a gratitude practice. Even on the days when you need to vent and purge the negative, end with one thing you remain grateful for.

What do you think? Doable?

Thank you for your input Colleen 👍🏼

I have done this in the past. I will try to implement it.

Right now I’m so full of negative things (emotionally, mentally, & physically) that I could explode.

Tried some journaling today. Will try to keep it up. Thank you.