When I was nine years old, I walked into my elementary school open house and immediately went to the book fair. I loved the shiny covers and the smell of new paperback books. At the time, I didn’t realize that night would change my life forever.
That evening my mom bought me a purple diary. It had hundreds of blank pages waiting to be filled. That first diary would be an outlet in my life for any problem, no matter how big or small.
Since it came with a lock and key, I considered it safe to write anything I wanted. It allowed me to sit down alone and learn how to navigate through my problems. Instead of deliberating over everything, it allowed me to get everything down on paper.
No reservations, no holding back, just vulnerable words of truth, and no one was there to interrupt what I had to write that landed on those pages.
Many times, writing things down alleviated complaining to others, and instead, I became a chief problem solver through my written words. I processed what was happening to me, why it could be happening, and how I could come up with a solution.
Over 25 years later, I still write to navigate the ups and downs of life. While I don’t write in a journal as much as I did when I was younger, I still use it as a tool when I need some support processing why on earth some things happen to us.
Journaling Can Help You Process Stress And Anxiety
There are circumstances in life that happen to us that we have no control over. Life events, such as battling a break-up, fighting with a friend, losing a job or a loved one, caring for an ill family member, or motherhood, can present trials of life that seem unbearable. It may even feel like there is nowhere to go, and we are stuck in this repetition of life.
The issue then becomes we are amid trauma constantly. It can tax our brains to replay events we cannot control. And while we are in the weeds of a problem, it can seem like it’s taking forever to come out safely on the other side.
It’s at this moment that journaling can help us. The empty white pages can be a panacea for our hectic, stressful lives.
As Jim Rohn once said, “If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.”
Journaling For Personal Growth And Mental Health
Studies show that journaling can be good for your health and your personal growth. It also allows you to manage anxiety, reduce stress and cope with depression. James Pennebaker, author of Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotion, tells us, “By writing, you put some structure and organization to those anxious feelings.”
As much as it may seem that things aren’t changing during difficult times, it’s essential to know they are. Time always moves us ahead. We may not understand what is happening to us, and as Pennebaker mentioned, it’s important to organize those thoughts.
In my experience, this can help us process and navigate why these things may be happening to us.
I feel as though writing works for past traumas as well. Emotional wounds run deep, and it’s never too late to go back and work through them.
However, there are a few things to pay attention to. Pennebaker notes that “People who talk about things over and over in the same ways aren’t getting any better. There has to be growth or change in the way they view their experiences.”
Therefore, while you may want to write freely, let your heart view your trauma and tribulations from a new angle. Thinking deeply about matters and asking yourself meaningful questions such as, what did I learn? How has this situation changed me for the better?
Also, give yourself a moment to understand that you wouldn’t be where you are today without this particular circumstance.
What you may also notice as time goes on is that a journal gives you this gift of proof that you got through a difficult time. I can’t tell you how often I sat down and reflected on something that happened to me and realized— “Wow, I made it through that. I feel like I can do anything.”
Journaling To Unlock Healing
Remember, your journal is a place to write freely. No one will be there to judge your thoughts and emotions. Regardless, have an openness to use journaling as a tool to unlock healing. Find meaning and purpose behind what happened to you and tap into changing the story you tell yourself.
The next time you find yourself trying to work through something heavy, start with a blank piece of paper and see where it takes you.
If you want to start journaling but aren’t sure where to start, check out my article here, which has 20 journal prompts that will help with your success.
Have you ever written in a journal? I would love to hear in the comments below.
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Wonderfully written! I really enjoyed reading. Thank you for the great ideas.