Rumination has come as a big hit to my emotional well being. I go from depressed, to irritated, to resentment, to all out anger.

I ended up in the hospital a year ago the depression had gotten so bad - and I blame rumination for it. Rumination feeds off rumination in a continuous cycle.

What things led to rumination? The primary act was writing a journal. It started out simply but soon became pages and pages of rants against the world for past wrongs and losses.

What do I do now to avoid it?

Of course, I stay away from journalling.
I have been finding alternate activities to those I terribly miss (and have blamed the world for preventing me)
I make an effort to engage myself with other people in an attempt to avoid down time where my mind wanders
And CBT has become a way of life: it has led to more confidence and sense of worth. Most importantly it has led me away from the thoughts I am deserving of the ills that have affected me.