[sprik]

When you journal how do you keep it from becoming a grip session??? I don't feel any better afterward

[Little Lulu]

I found that to be one of the downsizes of journaling also because staying in the problem never helps me feel better. Now when I journal I follow a format ... spend 1/2 the page on "the problem" and 1/2 the page on "the solution". At the bottom of the page I always end with a positive affirmation or quote I like that I can keep in my mind for the day. Adding some gratitudes also helps because there are always things to be grateful for.

[SunAndClouds]

Hi Sprik!

Agree with Little Lulu.
About a year ago, I have switched from writing a general journal (which was nearly always very negative) to writing a gratitude journal every day - 5 things every day, and I manage to write even on days I have hardly any time because I've realised I can find 5 positive things in 2 minutes.
I also write a feelings journal but I find that I need it less now that I have my gratitude journal.

I am also in the middle of building a "cheer up file" which contains nice pictures I like, a list of upcoming activities and events I am looking forward to, a list of life achievements I am proud of, and some life stories which make me feel good or that make me laugh.
Something for me to continue building and to take out when I'm feeling down.

Let us know how you get on with your journal.

[buzz bee]

That is a great idea they have! Never thought that one.

I write my scale 1-10. One being the worst and 10 being the best. Then I right "bad" and tell everything that went wrong that day. Then I wright "good" and tell everything that went good that day. There are times that one is worse then the other, but thats life. I like to do "good" last that way I end on a good note. Then I circle my number, because sometime I will see that my day was better then I thought.

[healingme4me]

I try to keep it a mixture. The good, the bad, the ugly, add the joys.
Write out dreams, too.
PC Coffee Talk is a good format, when you think of it.

I haven't been journaling lately because of this.
I find that now I mainly gripe in my journals, and it doesn't help.

[sprik]

I haven't been on in a bit, but THANK U

[Ripose]

Complaining has it good points though:
You bring the problem out in the open where you can think about it more critically.
Sometimes when the problem is written down it doesn't seem so bad any more.
You can review your problems when you are feeling good, which makes it easier to find a solution (if there is one).
You will be able to cross things off on your "bad" list which will make you feel great.
You can think more clearly about any good things that came about as a result of the bad things (it does happen).

There is a long list of good things that can result from having a bad list, provided you don't get mired down in details.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

I have no idea what a "grip session" is. When I add to my diary, I find it helpful; therapeutic.

[Lady Courtesan]

I journaled a lot before my husband died last summer. Going back and reading them, I found they were always filled with pain and sorrow and such anger.

He was not a good man and his death was a release for me. And I found myself keeping away from journaling because I didn't have all those negative feelings anymore.

Since being diagnosed with PTSD I have been keeping a syptom book and it helps my trauma doc see where I am what kind of grounding techniques we should work on. I am also supposed to keep track of how I follow the grounding techniques but I just started with that.

And SunAndClouds,

I love your idea of a cheer up file! I think I am going to borrow that one.
I've never kept a scrap book before, but I am going to buy one for this. I copied your list and I'm going to add posts and quotes from PC that have a special meaning for me.

Thank you for such a positive, super idea!

[sprik]

so nice to have people who understand and give such great ideas