Have any of you tried journaling?

[Anonymous]

If you have, what are your thoughts about it? Does it help with your well-being, and mental health?

I want to try it, but not sure about it.

[Bl0n6eguy]

I've done it out of the blue recently; I just open Notepad on my laptop and start writing a reflective and instructive note to myself - as though it was a one sided conversation.

I find that having a stern convo with myself through a mirror or notepad can alleviate my concerns and motivate me to achieve. Remember, its a pep talk to hype yourself up - its NOT a takedown.

Journaling is useful if its done in a specific way, as mentioned above. However; if it is purely negative, with no self-assurances or instructions, it can be harmful. I've personally used this method to overcome my BDD and Anxiety to a great degree.

In summary, here are my takes on journalling:

• Recount how things are going and try to respond to yourself in a supportive way that critiques your negative beliefs.
• Instruct yourself to do something about it that is achievable and puts the improvement of your health at the forefront of its aims.
• Keep it private. You could journal in a variety of ways. You could do it verbally in a mirror, or you could write it on paper or in an offline computer file. Never post it online outside of counseling sites, since anything it contains could be used against you if it becomes public.
• Keep it supportive; you're there to put wind in your own sails, to fan the embers of hope - however small they are at first. Grow that fire through Action...
• ACT. This is the moat important part if journalling; the written/spoken part is where you reflect and critique your circumstances and beliefs, the Action stage is where you follow the your own instructions to solve the heart of your problem. For instance, for my BDD I got new clothes and joined the gym; I also eventually went to a dermatologist to first examine, and later reduce the appearance of my birthmarks.
• Work with yourself, not against yourself. It is Very important that you preserve the You that you already are, not the You you think you are. Work towards the You you can already be.

When we think we aren't good enough, or that our body is wrong, what we really need to change is how we think and respond in the least rash way: E. g. 'I want muscles"; the least rash option is to do basic everyday exercise, a more rash option is to subscribe to a gym, a very rash option is to take steroids, and the most rash (are therefore wrong) decision would be to have implant surgery.

[Anonymous]

At the time, I was dating a girl who was wanting me to start journaling and I told her I didn’t want to but she just kept insisting that I do journaling for her or she would break up with me and find someone else who would journal. I told her that some of my feelings were not meant to be seen by anyone else and she promised me that it would only be my private journal.

Fast forward to when I started journaling I had a lot of anger towards certain people and I was expressing exactly how I felt. At the time I had issues with my coworkers and my boss and I had bottled up my feelings and hadn’t even told my girlfriend. During this whole time, my girlfriend kept her promise and I could write whatever came to mind without any judgement.

Just as I felt like I was making progress working through my feelings becoming less angry, my girlfriend and I got into a fight because I wouldn’t let her read my journal. She got curious what I had written after I became less angry. I didn’t trust her enough to let her know where I kept my journal but she kept pestering me to let her read it. This entire time, by the way, I tried to make a deal with her that if she read my journal, I got to read hers. She told me that was ridiculous and I should trust her and that I was violating her trust by not letting her read mine. I had written some pretty dark stuff so I didn’t want her reading it.

About a month later while I was at work, I got a strange text from my girlfriend saying that everything was going to be okay but that she was going to stay at her friends house for a few days. I then got called into my boss’ office where he proceeded to ask me very weird questions involving workplace violence and I started to get very nervous. I told him I had never gotten violent with anyone at work and then told me to pack up my desk and I would no longer be working there. I started really panicking.

I called my girlfriend to tell her the news hoping she would cheer me up but she wouldn’t pick up. At first I thought nothing of it but then I got home and noticed a note on the floor. I started to read it and my girlfriend had written me a breakup letter saying she couldn’t believe I didn’t trust her enough to read my journal and that she found my journal and was shocked by how what she read. She photographed the parts where I was angry at my coworkers and emailed them to my work. Then she ghosted me never responding to any one of my texts.

So, yeah, I’ve tried journaling.

[AmandaYVR]

I did it when I was a kid and as a teenager I threw them all out. The worst my writing has been, it felt extremely self-indulgent, self-absorbed, overly dramatic/emotional, so I have always thrown that out. Emotions calm down in retrospect, once you are out of the heat of the moment, so to speak.

I personally much prefer either 1. Distraction with something positive, or lighthearted and enjoyable, or 2. Focusing on something mentally stimulating/challenging, or a task you've been putting off but really should get done. Productivity and action are pretty helpful to unblock feelings of ineptitude or feeling stuck.

But if you feel journalling might be good for you, then by all means, try it. It just doesn't work for me.

[Agirlinneedhelp]

I did it for a couple of months right after a big breakup. It helped me stay focused and not get paranoid or believe the voices inside my head.

It's like, I know myself best and so, I know how to comfort myself the best too! I'd journal my feelings and my reactions and would often check them back whenever I feel like I'm slipping out of reality (iykyk)

But whenever I'm happy and comfortable I never have much to journal tbh

[Being_a_good_Indian]

We spend so much time on our phones and computers today, I feel like we rarely ever put pen to paper and just write. Writing can be such an amazing outlet and tool to breakdown the things that you have going on in your mind. Whether we are skilled writers or are better at writing simple lists, we can all see benefits from journaling. There are infinite ways of journaling and getting your feelings out on paper, which is amazing because that means that there is a way that works for everyone.

For those that love to write and just like to let the words flow, grab an empty notebook and start from there. You can let your journal become whatever you want. Maybe you prefer drawing pictures to writing words, you can fill your journal with expressive images instead. Starting from a blank slate allows you to create your own way of journaling, and expressing yourself on paper.

To some staring at a blank page can be daunting, perhaps you may prefer a pre-printed journal, full of prompts and activities to fill in on each page. These are a great way to start journaling as a beginner, because half of the work is already done, the idea is already there, you just have to personalize the response.

Another simple way to keep your journal is to make a list of simple prompts and respond to one each day. Prompts can look like things that you are grateful for each day, goals that you want to achieve, things that you admire about yourself, etc.

Writing and keeping a journal is such a powerful way for us to express ourselves, to release our emotions, and to better understand how we feel. I challenge you all to try it, even just for a week. See how it makes you feel, and see how you can work it into you daily life.

[kellytd]

I sort of have a journal. I write in it about every other month, summarizing everything that had happened since the last entry, what I felt about it, as well as whatever is currently on my mind then. I just use a word document on my computer though. I "reply" to the previous entry, talking as though they are a different person. It helps me feel grounded and stable. Puts things into perspective. Organizes my life into neat bullet points so that I understand when what happened, why, and how it affected me later on. You can track what experiences formed what interests or biases. It can leave you feeling bare, in a strange sort of way, but it's also comforting- a way to get a good look at yourself. The longer you keep it, the more you can understand yourself, and why you think the way you do. Although, there will be parts you will cringe at forever. But it's best to remember- yes, you were an obnoxious teenager back then than to think you have always been the person you are now. Keeps you humble.

[SCARRED]

yes, in jr. high and high school.

our special ed teacher and school guidance

person mine was current events. I Followed the kidnaped of patty Hearst.

the kidnapping case in Livermore the bus in the quarry on of the cops

that broke one of thr cases lived down the block

from me , had FBI PI's cops fire chiefs

electrican that was the transmission supervisor

of BART lives down the street. All of them

were my Elmer's for my ham radio?

and like second and third dads to me

[WanderingLoveWizard]

I think online platforms like Facebook, Twitter and even this app are a modern way of journaling. Except even better because you can get feedback from other people and shared experiences. Plus, no one knows who the hell you are so you can spill your fucking guts out and it doesn't matter.

Some people think it's annoying and stupid, but I understand it completely.

[Asker]

I have a twitter but i just spill everything out

[WanderingLoveWizard]

I do too sometimes lol. It feels good to let things go and know that people are actually listening. Whether they give a shit or not is debatable, but nonetheless it's out there

[Fireguy17]

ok, does this mean writing down what you do in a day, or something different?
If it is the first, writing things down then no.
I have to write reports on fire calls, accidents, and ems calls when I am the lead emt.
It is required, so it really doesn't count.

I just don't feel the need to, or have the time to do that.

[Asker]

it's something like writing down your feelings, thoughts, usually the bad and draining ones.

[Fireguy17]

That is what I thought, but you can't be too careful now a days with words having different meanings.

[Asker]

I want to try journaling and i hope it’d work for me. There are days where i feel like i wanna leave this world but have nobody to talk to. But there are also brighter days where i feel like im so happy and i wanna tell someone about it but i dont trust nobody anymore ( some people dont like seeing you happy but they pretend like they do )

[CreatingWonders]

I have 2 books I have a trash journal that I write about the bad things that happen I also have a traveler's journal which I keep for the good things, I do tend to write in the traveler's journal more as I write little things in the calendar part about my day. I do find that it helps to get things out sometimes,


My head is a mess from a bad past so writing my thoughts and feelings down does help when I remember to do it, you can always give it a go just buy a notebook for a start nothing to fancy and write in it if you feel it’s helping then carry on and then maybe buy a journal that’s more fancy and carry it on. If it’s not for you then you don’t have to carry on.

[lightninghunter]

It is a pretty nice practice, and yes it does help my well being at times, there are certain things that I can't just tell people, so I just have this app for journaling on my laptop where I just rant out.

Additional tip, if you want to start to journal, I recommend you to name your journal something, like previously I called it hunn, then May, it's anything, it's basically the fact that when you type or write 'hey hunn', before journaling you subconsciously make your brain think you are talking out to someone and not your own self. That helps a lot in destressing!

[Chazmatazz269]

It worked for me when i was doing it regularly and reflecting on past entries. I keep telling myself i’m going to start again, then i don’t. If you’re doing any soul searching at all, i highly recommend it. Works great for unwinding your mind at bedtime too. You know when you’re physically exhausted but can’t get to sleep because your mind is racing. Write down every thought. It’s like unplugging the drain in your brain! Ell oh ell!

[Potteplante]

I journal, keep a simplified bullet journal and at the moment have a health journal.

The act of writing, calms me down - I love sitting down at my desk, with a cup of tea and just unwind and is something I do every morning and sometimes evening. It has helped me be more aware of my well-being and mental health.

[prensesmishka]

Growing up, I kept a lot of diaries. When I got a little older, I started writing more important moments. I still do this as therapy. Psychologists say that writing is good for calming the mind and letting go. You see concretely how you feel when you write.

[AviatorTom]

Not in my personal life, but I do keep a daily journal of what I do at work. It helps me organize my day, and gives me an easy-to-find record of what was done in the past, and when it was done... something that's often needed in the types of long complex projects I often get involved in.

[matty6500]

I've thought about it, and tried it a few times. But I'm either in the mood where I have so much to journal about I don't have enough time, or have nothing really to say at all. So I go through phases of doing it, then stopping for a long time.

[23liz34a]

It can feel therapeutic to put down thoughts that you feel you can’t really talk to anyone about in a safe space, a brain dump can also help prioritize goals, as I get older it also becomes a place to put down reminders

[Amy10223]

Yes, I do have a journal. It keeps my mind focused on things I need to do, things that have taken, place, and is sort of my report of the month of whatever you call it I am very honest in it, and no one sees it but me.

[midnightmoon05]

I encouraged my teen daughter to. It helps her thinking more positive after our discussions about how she can appreciate what we have and to write down a few small goals.

[Bethany22]

I've tried it, but my thoughts are a lot faster than I can write. Plus, I worry about who will read my journals by accident. It certainly is mind freeing though.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

I have, still currently doing it. It helps to get my thoughts out where I can see them and further process what I need to in order to experience less anxiety

[mobiusforniner]

Been doing it since I was five, as a summer chore by my mom. I still have the hand written notebooks.

I type it now, but I journal all the time

[JustinTheGreat]

I’ve been thinking about trying it out. I’m just not very good on keeping up with things like that so that’s why I haven’t bothered doing it yet

[Anemone978]

I do sometimes when I am feeling low I just write to get my feelings out... I don't know if it helps but I feel better after I am done writing.

[Little_Bumblebee]

I tried several times when I was in my teens, but it only lasted a few days and then I just... didn't do it.

I'm not cut out for Journaling

[JJ092003]

I do it daily. It really helps to organize my thoughts and how I feel about things

[Nikki1989]

I had a blog for years, but it became too time-consuming.

[Lyndsielee666]

I had to for my therapist. Didn’t help, reread my trauma always set me the fuck off😂

[melanieeeB]

I love Journaling, try it out and find out for yourself if it helps you

[Avicenna]

Ivee we heard s few people say it was useful for them

[Agape93]

Sort of, just for different things than my personal life

[Chelsdope0]

Yes, it works sometimes.

I just fear that people may find it and read it..

[elizamichale1]

Not really... i hav thought about it a few times though

[DancingQueen16]

Well I do have a diary that I write in sometimes

[Anonymous]

For my job yes so I can look back on what I did. Plus it helps with what’s going to happen in the future…

[Alchemizt]

It has helped me a lot to declutter my mind and find solutions. Journaling can be very helpful.

[Babygirl_S]

Yes I do it in the morning every day and really enjoy it.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

Only when they made me for a class back in high school.

[scooogy]

I used to know someone who did that everyday for like more than 20 years. It was astonishing to hear what was going on in his life the day I was born.

[krin_m]

I have in the past but not any more. Just too much work!

[Anonymous]

used to doesn't really do much though other than getting my thoughts out in the open doesn't stop them from coming back though

[Guy13]

Yeah, all my life-poems.

[LemiaOfThunder]

I've tried it once but got bored

[summiter]

No but I've thought about it

[TheeTrybrid]

Yes and it's very peaceful for me

[Skyros]

I’ve been journaling for 13 years.

[Jmmmfi4]

I do it literally every single day

[boobliker]

yes? it's not easy to keep it up!

[Iron_Man]

What is it

[Preeti161101]

Nope

[In_Trance]

No i haven't