Do you keep a Journal?
Yes. I write in mine fairly regularly (i.e. every week). - 66.7% - 6 votes
Yes, I keep one but I don't write in it very often. - 33.3% - 3 votes
I've tried keeping a journal but I forget to write in it. - 0.0% - 0 votes
No, I've never kept one. - 0.0% - 0 votes
stkitt
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 32602
Posted 10/4/2009 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Good Evening,
Journaling allows people to clarify their thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. It’s also a good problem-solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash out a problem and come up with solutions more easily on paper. Journaling about traumatic events helps one process them by fully exploring and releasing the emotions involved.
How many of you keep a journal and do you find it useful ?
Hugs,
Kitt
stkitt
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 32602
Posted 10/5/2009 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
OK, I will answer my own question first and hope to get the ball rolling. It is so important for me to look for ways to help keep my anxiety down and journaling is one way to do this.
I keep a simple spiral notebook right by my computer and try to write my daily goals and thoughts in my notebook. I have no special format but I do date my entries. I jot down simple things when I am feeling down to make sure I keep functioning...............as simple as Pay Bills, Wash hair, and I also jot my feelings.
I use a happy face to show my emotions........... [img]/community/emoticons/cry.gif[/img] = crying, [img]/community/emoticons/rolleyes.gif[/img] = not sure how I feel, [img]/community/emoticons/smile.gif[/img] = happy and of course [img]/community/emoticons/turn.gif[/img] = I feel really good.
You will see me use the emoticons in my posts.
So what works for you or do you think journaling would help you?
Hugs
Kitt
broadwind
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 24
Posted 10/5/2009 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
Yes i find a journal a really valueable tool for clarifying my thoughts and figuring out reasons behind my actions. Its been very good at keeping me focused and figuring out my goals. I write in it most weeks, and have done since April 2001.
stkitt
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 32602
Posted 10/5/2009 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
broadwind,
Thank you so much for your input and I am glad to hear your journal is helpful for you.
Gentle Hugs
Kitt
addie2629
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 86
Posted 10/5/2009 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I keep a journal too. I don't write in it daily but it helps me to go back to it and read on previous high anxiety times. Lately I've been keeping a chart online tracking my symptoms related to anxiety as I have seen a correlation to my monthly cycles. It has really been helpful. I too find it very useful to write simple things down to keep me focused and keep my mind less jumbled! :)
Junebug05
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 717
Posted 10/5/2009 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I write in my journal very regularly, every day if possible. I have about a dozen small notebooks filled at this point, and I also keep track of my meds on the last few pages. It does help to clarify my thoughts and has many times helped me to see my wrong thinking patterns and develop new ones. I also keep track of the places I go as I do have agoraphobia and it's nice to see that I'm getting out very regularly. I love to go back and read past journals to see just how far I've come, or if I'm feelilng a bit low I go back and see if there is any entry where I was dealing with something similar and can use what I wrote then to help me through now. Journaling has by far been one of the best tools I've used to help me get through the difficult times!
Green Grove
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 2424
Posted 10/5/2009 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I also keep a journal. I don't write down my personal stuff daily like I should be doing, but I keep a list of things to do and goals for the future :)
Really need to get back into it, plus start writing more. Seems to be a winter activity for me as my workload is not as demanding.
debaser
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1745
Posted 10/5/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I still write the blog I used to have, though it's now closed to the public and only a few people can or would want to read it. The language was always a bit "blue" but now I just write how I think and sometimes that isn't pretty at all!
I write fairly regularly. It's pretty normal for me to skip a day or even a week. Then I may write two posts a day for a while. You never really know.
You're definitely right that it's a good way to solve problems and all that other stuff as well. Writing is a tremendous tool.
Posted 10/5/2009 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I try very hard to write everyday. Sometimes it is alot, sometimes just a line or two. It does help and being female, my anxiety peaks right before my monthly friend arrives and that is quiet obvious when I look back through my 'journaling". I am telling you ladies, you need to read "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It is a great book, gives you something to think about everyday and she encourages everyone to "journal." It is an older book, I found mine at a used book store, in mint condition, for $3.00. she also encourages you to keep a discovery journal. Good reading and enlightenment will follow. I have had it for quiet some time and still read pages everyday.
Journal on!
Gem
Howlyncat
Elite Member
Joined : Jan 2005
Posts : 24909
Posted 10/6/2009 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Ever since my hosptital stayi have started keeping a journal...the reason behind this was really that i had lost alot of my short term memory do to damage from seizures i had...i find it helps me out with many things..............very good question inho........i have to keep no9tes about everything now.......take care all n have a good day ..............lyn
Boon
New Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 14
Posted 10/6/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I use journaling while anxious. It's a healthy release of emotions and gets things out of the head. However, I don't write down what the scary thoughts are. (The scare voice loves to see itself in writing!). Instead I write down how I feel. Also, I do exposure therapy and write down all my victories. To see that in print is powerful. We have a way of forgetting when we get scared again so now I have written proof of how far I've come.