[ballet_girl]

Before I left for my semester abroad T gave me a journal. She wrote a note to me in the front that I could look at when I was missing her and we made some goals together and wrote down a list of things that I could do when I was depressed. Now I'm about a month away from seeing her again and I kind of want to be able to give it back to her and show her that I've used it and for us to be able to talk about thinks that I've been thinking about. But the two problems are:

1. I'm afraid that if I write in it it will mess it up. And if I'm super focused on writing the perfect thing that T will like then I'm not really focusing much on introspection.

2. I have no clue where to start. T gave me a list of prompts a few years ago, but I think they got lost in the shuffle of moving. Has T given you any general prompts that you have found helpful? I've had trouble digging deep into my issues in therapy in the past, so I was thinking that journaling may be a good way to get on track, if I can ever figure out what I'm supposed to journal about!

[PTSDlovemycats]

My suggestion is don't worry about messing it up and write solely from your . Good luck, I hope it goes well.

[SilentLucidity]

((ballet)) I couldn't bring myself to write in my journal for two months. I was afraid of ruining my own journal - LOL. My T suggested that I should start with the lyrics to a favorite song, quote, or poem - anything to get me started. It was enough to get me going. Now I'm about to the point of writing every day. I don't think I've written anything I would consider "deep," but for me the mere act of starting was a huge step so I keep telling myself the rest will come in time.

Maybe you can begin by writing about a time when you needed to read the note she left in the front and how that made you feel? Your T will find meaning in whatever you write.

[jazzy123456]

maybe you can FIRST write about why its so hard to write.. what emotions you are feeling about the journal itself..kinda what your doing right here... sometimes,
writing just absolutley anything, no matter how small, helps jumpstart us...

kinda like an engine to a car, you gotta put the key in first,
when we don't do anything at all, its like lying the key on the passengers seat right next to us and hoping the car will start in time...

which, of course, it wouldn't.

thats why I start with the small things in journal writing,
then build up to whatever is much more serious.

good luck to ya

[lastyearisblank]

Maybe you could write about the place where you are for study abroad!! What is different between where you come from and where you are now? Who are the people you have met there? What is your favorite thing you did and what is one thing you want to do before you go? Stuff like that. I find it hard to pour my heart out too. Usually that stuff comes out naturally once I get going on a different topic. Good luck!

Originally Posted by ballet_girl

Before I left for my semester abroad T gave me a journal. She wrote a note to me in the front that I could look at when I was missing her and we made some goals together and wrote down a list of things that I could do when I was depressed. Now I'm about a month away from seeing her again and I kind of want to be able to give it back to her and show her that I've used it and for us to be able to talk about thinks that I've been thinking about. But the two problems are:

1. I'm afraid that if I write in it it will mess it up. And if I'm super focused on writing the perfect thing that T will like then I'm not really focusing much on introspection.

2. I have no clue where to start. T gave me a list of prompts a few years ago, but I think they got lost in the shuffle of moving. Has T given you any general prompts that you have found helpful? I've had trouble digging deep into my issues in therapy in the past, so I was thinking that journaling may be a good way to get on track, if I can ever figure out what I'm supposed to journal about!

[granite1]

just write from your heart i bet you T will appreciate anything you may want to share with her

[skysblue]

Don't think too hard about what to write. It's not a graded assignment from school. Use the suggestions others have offered here. Try to just let it flow and let the words represent any thoughts or feelings you have right now. Try not to edit. Let it all come forth. Writing is a great way to release those feelings if you trust yourself enough to just relax and not judge or hold back.