Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

@crabby55 Isn't is enlightening when we look back and are able to see a pattern? That is where journaling can really assist us! It's okay to have scratched out lines or words. It's okay to have illegible writings. And what did you learn about yourself in those conversations?
Ginger

@gingerw

Mrs. Ginger, I started to write again in my journal. I find it very helpful to write down all my thoughts.

@ginnysnow Good for you! I sincerely hope you find this is helping your peace of mind, too! Yayyy! Sending your supportive hugs, you got this!
Ginger

@gingerw Hi Ginger and other fellow journalers,

I am so glad to see this topic on Mayo Connect! To answer the question in the title of this discussion the answer would be a resounding Yes. Journaling has been the right/write stuff for me for a very long time. I didn't journal when I was a child but as an adult, journaling has been a good friend to me.

You see, I grew up in a home where feelings had to be monitored and not expressed unless they were "acceptable." That meant that feelings of hurt, anger, disappointment were shut down. Therefore, as an adult, the journal was my place to let it all out. All of the feelings can now be put on paper and "gotten out," whether they were considered acceptable or not. What a relief!

My journaling has taken me through some tough times. Especially through losses such as jobs, marriage, death of loved ones and transitions of all sorts.

Journaling has also been a spiritual growth venue for me. Sometimes when I feel I can't pray, I can write prayers, write reflections on my faith, even when I can't get the words out in audible prayer.

I am so looking forward to hearing what others will write about journaling. Fellow Connect members: How have you used a journal?

@hopeful33250 Oh, I never thought to pray on paper! What a marvelous and soul lifting idea. I have journaled in spurts, years at a time. Always messy writing-when I found out I am Bipolar II, I really understood why I needed to write at times. I always did when I was and even now-pain. I can scream and rant …cry.
Thank you for opening my mind to get back to writing.

Good morning, @judyandchloe

Prayer on paper is one approach to journaling. I would imagine for many it's a powerfully effective approach to journaling. As I've been journaling for decades (literally)––and sharing with other long-time journal-writers––I learned there are almost countless approaches to journaling. The approach that I have found to be the most effective for me is conversation-with-self (if you saw my pages, you see me time & again writing "Now come on, Ray, do you really mean that?" 🙂 ) What conversation-with-self allows me to do (when it's needed) is challenge outworn beliefs, rusty values, patterns of living that may have worked years ago but––unnoticed by me––have now outgrown there usefulness. Remember, please, I'm not advocating conversation-with-self for everyone. I tell you about it only because it's one among many approaches to journaling and the one approach that, at least for me, yields the most useful results.

Here's wishing you, @judyandchloe, a beautiful Wednesday!
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 Like you, I have been journaling for decades. And remember starting to write my poetry using the end of an adding machine paper roll! Tucked away in boxes under my bed are all my journals. And scattered around are prompts to write, or images, etc. There is no "one best way". Do what appeals to you at the moment. For myself, I prefer writing things out in longhand. After studying forensic graphology, it is enlightening to see what my inner person is saying as expressed on paper! And, I am never without pen and paper with me, at all times.

@judyandchloe Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. May you find joy in your journey.
Ginger

Good morning, @judyandchloe

Prayer on paper is one approach to journaling. I would imagine for many it's a powerfully effective approach to journaling. As I've been journaling for decades (literally)––and sharing with other long-time journal-writers––I learned there are almost countless approaches to journaling. The approach that I have found to be the most effective for me is conversation-with-self (if you saw my pages, you see me time & again writing "Now come on, Ray, do you really mean that?" 🙂 ) What conversation-with-self allows me to do (when it's needed) is challenge outworn beliefs, rusty values, patterns of living that may have worked years ago but––unnoticed by me––have now outgrown there usefulness. Remember, please, I'm not advocating conversation-with-self for everyone. I tell you about it only because it's one among many approaches to journaling and the one approach that, at least for me, yields the most useful results.

Here's wishing you, @judyandchloe, a beautiful Wednesday!
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 hi, yes I occasionally come across a file box full of journals-right now the ones I found I won’t even look through! I do a conversation with myself stream of consciousness rant, sometimes poetry and others just song titles. I always felt I would become a millionaire on Name That Tune! lol. Anyway, I often write in huge bold letters so If I go back in a current journal I’ll take notice and reread that paragraph. I have a lovely new pen from the online store, Levenger, which if readers and writers do no know of-it is all things for readers and writers-there it is not a lost art to journal. I love my new pen and I find myself writing more often.
Lately, I’m consumed with lists, to dos and a daily schedules since my dear brother was diagnosed. Right now, I don’t want to write anything “out loud” I, am so upset.

@judyandchloe Hi! I hadn't heard of Levenger pens. I just took a look at Levenger's website, at the array of pens, and oh boy! I'm tempted. 🙂 Lately, much of my journal is consumed by responses to challenges my therapist has laid before me. Yes, you read that correctly. 🙂 My therapist. When my life-partner died last fall, my PCP encouraged me to get some bereavement counseling. I pooh-poohed the idea for quite some time, then finally gave in and said "Oh, OK." I'm so glad I gave. the therapy experience has been incredible! At first, I was keeping a separate notebook for all of my therapy ruminations. Now I'm weaving everything together in my journal. Things I want to discuss with my therapist, I'll highlight in yellow marker. When I'm with my therapist, I'll have my journal in front of me, sort of an in-my-lap teleprompter. I don't show my journal to my therapist. Funny, isn't it? My journal is for My Eyes Only! 🙂

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)