[widgets]

does anyone else write a diary, i did for 6 years, it helped so i'm trying to start again.
who does, how does it help you?
who doesnt? any particular reason why not?

edited to say - this is meant to be in the bipolar section because i just want to know how you make it help recognise mood changes and things.

[sugahorse1]

I track my moods online using moodtracker.
Sometimes I copy some of my posts on PC into a Word document and print them out to take to therapy. My diary is really PC, lol. Every indepth feeling is in a post here somewhere.
I'm not sure how I would do the diary thing - online, in a book? I'm a bit scared of someone that knows me, to find it.

[Fresia]

I have started to use a diary/journal again. It helps to get the racing thoughts out of my head and feels as if I have told someone. I don't usually go back to look at them though as I know some do. Sometimes it is upsetting for me to read later and other times it is beneficial to help sort through things. Primarily it helps in the moment.

I still use my diary cards from DBT to track moods and events on-going. So my writings are more of a release but can keep an eye on what's going more specifically and changes through the cards. It's easier for T and pdoc too to take in and view at a glance, and as for me as well over long period of time to note trends too. I don't find the diary/journalling as helpful for this, too much writing to find these changes or similarities.

But before the cards, the diary was my life saver in my younger years, more than I can say and some days still is very useful.

I keep a mood chart and I journal. Usually nothing profound, butI find it a way to get things out of my head.

[byfnvy]

I use like 3 different blogs, one of which is also moodtracker. In the main one, I make most of my posts private and only publish the 'safer' ones for my friends to see. The third is in a foreign language, and is public, but I didn't tell any of my friends about it, so it's still kind of private.

I use them to write about what I'm feeling, so that I can let things out without having to tell anyone. It helps me reflect on how I'm feeling sometimes as I try to analyze why I feel that way.

I've stapled a bunch of blank sheets together and use that as a diary. Cheap, and it works. I keep track of my moods, goals, and insights mostly, but also add things in there that I like - such as quotations that I can really relate to.

[BNLsMOM]

I have been keeping a journal since I was diagnosed. I honestly don't know if it helps, but it does help me communicate difficult feelings to T and p-doc.

[bpd2]

I use a glorified mood tracker that allows me to journal at the bottom of the chart. I try to keep that journal limited to "significant" events in terms of influence on mood, so it's a short journal. Otherwise, I also keep a hit-or-miss journal to work out thoughts, then I take those thoughts and try to put them in order, THEN, maybe, I write an essay (no more than 250 words--a page) for my therapist, and MAYBE I email that to him, depending upon what our rules are at the time...

[PT52]

I try then I lose focus. I've probably started dozens of times; probably I need to really try.

[flawlessimperfectionsmft]

I have tried to write a journal on many occasion but I never can seem to stick with it. I don't know why I can't stick to it. I just can't get myself to sit down and write anything. I just kinda ween off of it slowly. Maybe it is because I'm a perfectionist and I make unrealistic goals about writing in my journal and when I screw up I give up on the whole idea. Who knows though. I just can't even stay on top of it. However, lately I have been on this mood tracker and every couple days I update my mood, would that be considered a journal?

[BlackPup]

I write intermittantly. It helps coz it allows you to work out what is going on in your head, like a sounding board, just like talking with your T. It also helps you get things out so you aren't holding on to them...

I only write when I have things on my mind, I write only for myself,and therefore it doesn't matter if I write crap

[Dave255]

If I'm feeling down I write in my thanks journal. I write 3 things that I am thankful or glad about, no matter how small. Can be I am glad I got out of bed, brushed my teeth. Only rule is nothing negative at all. Including I did this, but I wished I had done more.

If I feel particularly wretched, it can seem like I have nothing to be glad about, but after focusing for a bit their are always somethings.

[sundog]

I've kept a hand-written diary on and off for about 30 years (with long gaps!!) I've kept a bunch of them, and I find it interesting to read through them sometimes, especially the ones from a long time ago.

Recently I've started writing every day in a journal again. Once in the morning right after I get up, and once at night, right before I go to bed. It's more like a personal mood tracker where I jot down a few points about how I'm feeling, how I slept, what triggered me during the day etc. I started doing this a few months ago when my anxiety was really out of control. I found it comforting to have my journal with me. Almost like a friend. I also find it helpful to re-read earlier entries and remind myself that even the worst panic does end!!! And keeping a daily record is a really good way for me to notice patterns and see the "bigger picture" over time.

Good luck if you decide to re-start journaling, widgets!

[Ryask]

I have a journal, i wrote in it for a bit, i went back and read what it said and thought it was stupid. So i never write in it now.

[Auqinu]

I started a journal on my computer this summer. I decided to have the same theme for everyday. My favorite part of the day. I can always find something and I can write either a sentence or a page. Seems to help, when I'm actually doing it.