Anyone Journal as a kind of self help tool?

[polokiss]

I have always written stuff down to clear my head but I always just rip it up and toss it away afterwards and don't keep a diary as such because I don't want anyone to read it. It did often make me feel better to write stuff down but I always just felt I was going over the same ground repeatedly.

I recently got a password protected diary app for my pc and have started writing in depth about some of the stuff, habits and experiences in my life that bother me. I'm also keeping a kind of log of my behaviours to make myself more aware of how I spend my time, how act, what I prioritise as opposed to what I actually want to put my energy into.

I think it is too soon to know if it will work or help but I suppose I hope that by having a safe space to put all that stuff down, to assess and so on that I might be able to help myself overcome some things.

Anyone else done this, did it work? Any techniques or books to recommend?

Yes! I found this so helpful and still occasionally have a rant in my journal.

It's meant to be useful to do it the same time each day so that it becomes a habit. And apparently if you don't have anything to say, putting a timer on for 5 minutes and putting pen to paper and writing any old rubbish will get the juices flowing and allow you to brain dump.

I find it cathartic and a good way to empty my head. When I look back, some of the stuff I wrote is embarrassing or nonsensical. But it doesn't matter - it's not for anyone else to read.

@AnotherCountryMummy I do find it cathartic too, I have old journals from my early 20's which are very embarrassing. I wish I had written about what I had been up to at university but they are just rants to self but I think I did find it therapeutic.

I am hoping that perhaps having a journal I can keep and look back on will help me perhaps stop going over the same old ground but who knows!

Yes, I find it very helpful to think things through.

I need to do this

There's a good youtube video about this, let me see if I can find it...

I can't find a link ATM but it was:

Struthless "The journalling techniques that changed my life"

@Blimeor Thanks for this I listened to this guy on a podcast recently, I need to get his book!

Oh is he on a podcast? Great, I'll look him up on my podcast app!

@Blimeor It was "the art of manliness" I think, just googled journaling on spotify and it came up. He was being interviewed so it isn't his podcast.

I've been thinking about doing this for a while. Does anyone use any kind of journaling prompts or anything? I feel like I'd need something to get me started!

@mrstea301 I think the book by Campbell Walker Your Head is a houseboat is full of prompts. I also think you can find lots of prompts online.

I kind of know my issues to some extent so have just been free writing on those but also read one where you ask yourself what gave you energy each day and what drained you, which I thought was a good one for getting to know yourself.

Yes, I really liked the book ‘Woman of Our Time’ which is all about journaling and geared towards ordinary women. It’s really relatable and has helped me get my head in gear over the past few months.

https://amzn.eu/d/8LKDN2n

@ConcussedPigeon Thanks I will check that book out!

Yes, I do journal & find it helpful to reflect on all situations (good & bad).
Sinem Kartal on Instagram does some good journal prompts.