Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

@rely1ngonhelp There is power in writing down our thoughts. And as you have discovered, I have fallen into a bad habit of discussing in depth with someone and regretting it later. Yep, thanks for reminding me to pull out that journal again!

What is your favorite method? By computer or pen and paper?
Ginger

There's a difference between keeping a diary and keeping a journal. With a diary, you make daily entries. With a journal, you make regular entries-- several times a week, every week, or every other week. There's a new kind of journaling, too, a One-Word journal. At the end of the day, you think of words that describe the day: rushed, anxious, hopeful, etc. Then you pick the one word that describes you best and write it on the calendar or in a small notebook. Over time, these words describe your journey.

Hello @harriethodgson1

This One Word journal is a great idea. It's a way to think back on the day and get in touch with feelings.

I'm thinking that it can be used in addition to regular journaling.

@harriethodgson1 I hadn't heard of the One-Word Journal. Interesting idea, and it can be a way to jumpstart a stalled practice of writing. For me, writing of any sort can be cathartic, or very insightful. Thank you for that idea.

Whether journaling or keeping a diary [everyday] just get it out and down on paper! That's my motto. And it isn't always about my life. It can be a commentary on events /people in my life.
Ginger

I actually am doing both right and it seems to make it more regular for me this way.

@merpreb I can relate to your post here. In the past I filled 5 notebooks of average size with thoughts I thought I might look at again. They're something between a journal and morning pages, not so much a diarrhee but definitely an outlet. Motivation? Diffuse loneliness, sort of an objectivation of myself, a construction of a person upon whom I could provide some company, compassion, communication. Since computers came along (yeah, I'm that much a senior) I've taken to writing "morning pages" --little or long thoughts that pour off the top of my head. Some I save. Some I delete. Mostly now, though, I'm less lonely and more willing to share my thoughts with friends and friends-to-be. Finding Mayo Connect has been wonderful as a way of feeling how I belong to a wide community of similarly minded folks. Thank you for writing candidly of your writing, Merry. Best wishes for your resilience dealing with cancer.

I do a once a week commentary on societal and technological events and how they relate to my life. It's on Substack and it's called Living the Dream. But it isn't a journal, and I haven't journaled since high school. Perhaps I should.

This discussion appears in the Depression and Anxiety Support Group, but I really feel there are significant points we can take away from it, for our journaling health.

What do you think?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/old-age-depression-and-memory/
Ginger

I do a lot of writing, stories remembered about my childhood or loved ones, or something that happened in your day that doesn't seem storyworthy, but ends up being hilarious or very touching as you add details and personal perspectives/reactions. Recent efforts include a memory story of myself childhood self on Christmas, a poem about what I found in my mother's coat pocket after she died, a wild tale about bird mites that invaded my house through the air conditioner or the squirrel that got it's foot stuck in the bird feeder pole, or the drunk turkeys eating fermented apples from my trees in early winter. I write poems or structured pieces that could be silly or serious self reflection, and when I really need to, narratives of personal suffering. I share some of the funnier ones, but most of it is for my eyes only. They vary in length from a few lines to a few pages, whatever moves me that day. The writing is usually on google docs, but I've been keeping a hard copy art/writing journal - highly recommend. You may not think you have artistic or creative talent, but you do. When you see a visual, a photo, piece of art, even a simple line drawing, anything that inspires you, pick up your journal and start sketching. Start simple, have eraser handy!, don't give up!, you can find tutorials for drawing just about anything - I'm into animals and plants right now. Last year I had a phase of black cat and tree silhouettes with moon and stars, very stylized and simplistic. It won't look exactly as you anticipated, but it's rewarding to draw something that actually resembles a magnolia or a monarch butterfly - whatever you're into. Then I like to write some thoughts on the page with the drawing, the source, maybe a poem, maybe some interesting information about the original piece or the history/circumstances of the subject. I will then do the same drawing again on a note card, small scale, I like to use black ink and watercolor paints but even black and white, shading with pencil, or colored pencils works, whatever you have. Write the poem, or narrative on the other side, and send them to someone in the mail, for birthday or thank you or for no reason at all. A random act of kindness for someone who would enjoy some funky snail mail. I love my drawing/writing journal; it's not fancy; it's not "good" but the act of creating a page makes me feel better on days when I feel lousy. It's like therapy. Truly. And I'm a skeptic about most things.

@lauralouisenelson Thank you for this interesting take on journaling. You brought up some fantastic points. And ones I hadn't considered for quite a while. Truth be told, my journaling has fallen by the wayside for a few months, even though there is paper and pen near me at all times. I head out of the house to go to doctor appointments [seems like the only time I am leaving the house these days!] and I pack an "activity bag" as my husband calls it. Journal pages/pen, crochet, Kindle, and drawing supplies. That way there is a choice of things to do if time allows. Being in the right frame of mind to write/draw can be elusive, for me anyway. You have reminded me that we can combine our artistic renderings with or writing.
Ginger