[shoelace]

This may sound strange but I have invented someone I can email. A fictitious person I can just spill the beans to. I write, get things off my chest and let it all go. I do not believe in journaling at home because journals can be found and read. Many times if not in the right hands can be easily misunderstood and hurt people when that is the last thing you can do.

I've had to let go of my BFF. My choice, my reasons. In her absence I decided to try emailing an imaginary friend. So far it seems to be working - I can release how I feel, have those emails like a journal without fear of someone reading them and writing things off my chest. I can be brutally honest.

I also thought this imaginary friend could look up supportive, helpful articles on the internet and copy and paste them back to me. Like self help.

[francisR]

hi Shoelace

That is a great idea inventing an imaginary friend and venting to him. Just keep doing that as it is being helpful for you. I hope and pray everything continues to improve for you. Take care. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis

[HairlessMop]

Back story - going through a separation after 23yrs of marriage. Trying to work on it. *fingers crossed* but i have other issues beside being clinically depressed.

Writing to yourself is great therapy. I send myself long text messages and even e-mail myself. Helps me vent and get my feelings off my chest WITHOUT telling them how I really feel at the moment and pushing them even farther away or offending a friend. Plus, I can look back at what I've texted or written to myself later on and process/reflect on those feelings That I had at the time when I'm a bit more "stable". I still have those feelings, but can look at them a bit more rationally.

Another option is actually find someone else who is neutral or can understand where you're coming from and bounce things off them for fresh perspective. I have one person who is NOT a mutual friend that I occasionally bounce ideas and feelings off of. And they sometimes do the same back at me. AND we occasionally just text to check up on each other to see how we're doing.

[ScientiaOmnisEst]

Interesting idea. I mostly just use online forums. It's more or less the same kind of thing to me, plus there's the possibility of feedback (a double edged sword, certainly).

I do journaling it helps keep my head clear. I can put it away go back and did out the sappy, emotional roller coaster I had expressed. I use to react and it cost me dearly. Now I quietly bite my tongue, go home and write like a mad man and vent. It saves me from doing something rash and horribly regretting it. I think it is a marvelous idea and I will try it myself! Why didn't I think of it? Keep it up...

[TinkerPixie]

Shoelace, this is actually a fantastic idea - and not strange at all, if you think about it. After all, how many of us have journaled or wrote letters we knew would never be seen by another person? Some people even name their journals as though they are writing to a friend.

I actually do something similar. Sometimes I write letters/emails to the person who used to be my confidant, knowing that I will never send them. Other times I write imaginary conversations, because my inner voice is so negative and self-depreciating and I know this person would only say nice, supportive things.

I hope your newfound correspondence continues to help you!

Be well,

Pixie