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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.

easterbasket | @easterbasket | 2 days ago
In reply to @woogie "I have written pages (one, two, or three at a time) in a notebook. The problem..." + (show)
@woogie

I have written pages (one, two, or three at a time) in a notebook. The problem with me (one of them) is I didn't always use the same notebook. So, I have pages and pages in little notebooks, big notebooks, legal paper, any kind of paper I could get my hands on at the time. When I say pages and pages, I mean two or three, here and there. I am not consistent with anything. I flutter like a butterfly at times. I used to keep a small diary in school. I wish I had it but my husband at the time threw fits over things I wrote about--he had a horrible temper--things which meant nothing and had nothing to do with him. I got rid of it myself. My mother had gotten it for me. It was a treasure and a keepsake. (gone in first year of marriage). If I had it to do over, I should have kept my diary and got rid of him in the first year. Oh dear, here I go again. Just wanted to say it is so easy to start writing how you feel. I just wanted to say you are the first person who said (that I can remember) sometimes I write prayers because there are times you can't pray. Well, I do the same! I wondered if anyone else does/did. I haven't taken any courses, you can tell, all my writing is one paragraph! I go from one thought to another--as if it were all the same. God bless you all and have a good day.

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I was diagnosed late in my life with ADD.
What a blessing to understand why I was disorganized! I would get my needs list and projects done,,, flinting from one project to another.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 2 days ago
In reply to @easterbasket "I was diagnosed late in my life with ADD. What a blessing to understand why I..." + (show)
@easterbasket

I was diagnosed late in my life with ADD.
What a blessing to understand why I was disorganized! I would get my needs list and projects done,,, flinting from one project to another.

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@easterbasket Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Do you keep a journal now, and find it is helpful to you for organization in your life? Just seeing a list of things to get done, and being able to check off completed tasks, can help you feel an accomplishment.
Ginger

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lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | 1 day ago

I think I am journaling but I don’t know. Are there supposed to be categories? I just write about what’s happening and how I feel about it. I do it when it’s happening. I don’t think I’m doing it right. Some help please. Thanks

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2 replies
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | 1 day ago
In reply to @lakesofdelray "I think I am journaling but I don’t know. Are there supposed to be categories? I..." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

I think I am journaling but I don’t know. Are there supposed to be categories? I just write about what’s happening and how I feel about it. I do it when it’s happening. I don’t think I’m doing it right. Some help please. Thanks

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You are totally doing it right! Yours is the classic way to keep a journal. And I hope (guess) you are enjoying it and benefitting from the process. There can be a lot of tricks or add ons, particularly if the person feels blocked writing. But absolutely no need for anything fancy. Write on!

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 1 day ago
In reply to @lakesofdelray "I think I am journaling but I don’t know. Are there supposed to be categories? I..." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

I think I am journaling but I don’t know. Are there supposed to be categories? I just write about what’s happening and how I feel about it. I do it when it’s happening. I don’t think I’m doing it right. Some help please. Thanks

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@lakesofdelray What is important for you is getting it out of your mind, onto paper or electronic screen. How you decide to do it can be varied. Take a few minutes and read through this thread of people's responses! There is no right or wrong way, just what works for you. And be open to the thought that that "way" may change. Find what is comfortable to you at that time. Be gentle on yourself.

How has your journaling changed you?
Ginger

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1 reply
lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | 1 day ago
In reply to @gingerw "@lakesofdelray What is important for you is getting it out of your mind, onto paper or..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lakesofdelray What is important for you is getting it out of your mind, onto paper or electronic screen. How you decide to do it can be varied. Take a few minutes and read through this thread of people's responses! There is no right or wrong way, just what works for you. And be open to the thought that that "way" may change. Find what is comfortable to you at that time. Be gentle on yourself.

How has your journaling changed you?
Ginger

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It really hasn’t yet.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 1 day ago
In reply to @lakesofdelray "It really hasn’t yet." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

It really hasn’t yet.

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@lakesofdelray Be gentle on yourself. In time, you might reflect back, even if simply in your mind, and find you respond to different situations in a manner you didn't before. Or, you are more aware of things around you. Sometimes the changes feel slow, and slide underneath the radar, so to speak. Other times it could be a quick lesson. Either one is fine. Please don't stress. And like I said, if one method of journaling doesn't feel "right", there are others!
Ginger

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lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | 1 day ago

Thanks for the kind words. Appreciated.

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lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | 4 hours ago
In reply to @mir123 "You are totally doing it right! Yours is the classic way to keep a journal. And..." + (show)
@mir123

You are totally doing it right! Yours is the classic way to keep a journal. And I hope (guess) you are enjoying it and benefitting from the process. There can be a lot of tricks or add ons, particularly if the person feels blocked writing. But absolutely no need for anything fancy. Write on!

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Thanks for the feedback. Especially enjoyed “write on”

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