Do you journal your thoughts? Do you keep them or throw them away? When do you usually journal?

I usually journal in the morning. I write very messy and after I am done, the papers go through the shredder so that I can move on with my day.

But if the remaining thoughts follow me, I will even journal during the day (I always keep a pen and a notepad in my car) or before bedtime to empty out my thoughts onto the paper. Again, I shred them.

I never keep my journal. I can never be one of those people who open their journal and say, "This is how I felt in 2001." But I think it's neat that some people can do that.

[sarahsweets]

I have always been told I should keep a journal. I have tried so many times in the past and failed. I would forget about it or feel overwhelmed by it and it would be left undone. I have tons of partially started journals. Sometimes I spend so long picking out a nice fancy journal only to forget about it. I believe it would be good for me. Does anyone have any advice on how I can make it easier?

[seeker33]

I've had a few journals but I only used them very rarely. Sometimes I begin and I write daily for a month or two but then I forget about it. A journal from my teen years has been helpful in therapy. I showed some entries from it to my T. I regret not writing more at the time.

[MickeyCheeky]

I used to journal, ennie, but I don't anymore. Maybe I should. It's just that I seem to forget to do it... maybe because I don't see much results from it. Perhaps I should be more patient. I'm glad it's helpful to other people at least. Sending many hugs to everyone

[LittleEarthquakes]

For some reason I judge myself while journaling. Like I feel what I'm writing will be judged and isn't good enough even though no one else will see it.

Anyone else?

The last time I had a written journal was over 25 years ago in college. I burned it in the kitchen sink of my apartment. I had gone through a particularly rough time for many years and I remember that burning it was symbolic to me... I was moving on. I forgot all about that until just now. I would probably be embarrassed of old journals so I’m glad I burned it. The memory of moving on from that time is a good one.

[downandlonely]

I kept a journal for a year about 10 years ago. I tried to read it, but was just judging the naive kid I was.

Originally Posted by LittleEarthquakes

For some reason I judge myself while journaling. Like I feel what I'm writing will be judged and isn't good enough even though no one else will see it.

Anyone else?

At first I find it helpful to re-read what I’ve written so I can think about it. Then after that I tend to judge myself too.

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by ennie

Do you journal your thoughts? Do you keep them or throw them away? When do you usually journal?
I usually journal in the morning. I write very messy and after I am done, the papers go through the shredder so that I can move on with my day.
But if the remaining thoughts follow me, I will even journal during the day (I always keep a pen and a notepad in my car) or before bedtime to empty out my thoughts onto the paper. Again, I shred them.
I never keep my journal. I can never be one of those people who open their journal and say, "This is how I felt in 2001." But I think it's neat that some people can do that.

I love to journal my thoughts. However, I find it kind of funny that even though I am insistent on doing this, I hardly ever go back and read what I've written. It's almost as if the act of writing is the therapy itself. I keep a small moleskin notebook and a pen on me at all times. This is especially helpful to write down things that I actually do want to re-read later, such as a song I heard on the radio or a book someone recomends that I would like to read.

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I have always been told I should keep a journal. I have tried so many times in the past and failed. I would forget about it or feel overwhelmed by it and it would be left undone. I have tons of partially started journals. Sometimes I spend so long picking out a nice fancy journal only to forget about it. I believe it would be good for me. Does anyone have any advice on how I can make it easier?

I found that a focused journal makes writing easier. So, for instance, start with a question, a mantra, a drawing or sketch and go from there. Don't be afraid to revisit your thoughts and make an origami sculpture from them. Personally, I keep more than one journal and visit each one throughout the year.

there are several good blogs and pieces written here in PC archives. I will post a little later in the day with links

I honestly miss journalling.

back in 2010/ 2011, maybe a few years after too, I did it a lot (I'd say even obsessively) writing in my journal 2/ 3 times a day (it was an online one). I talked to it like a friend, (which was a little embarrassing), but I had no one else to talk to.

gradually, I lost interest (as I focussed more of my attention on creative writing), but I still keep it online just because it has some of my writing in it- and to ocasionally look back at how I was doing back then.

sometimes I will post an entry, but now it's so rare I do

[happysobercrafter]

I type my journaling, have been for years. It helps me get my thoughts out of my head and in front of me so I can try to make sense.

On my blog, I post daily what I am grateful for. Sometimes, I go back and see how I was and look at how I am today. That way, I see what I can work on, or what I am doing better than I was. It really helps me!

here are a few links as promised

30 Journaling Prompts for Self-Reflection and Self-Discovery

5 Journaling Techniques to Explore Your Heart and Soul | Make a Mess: Everyday Creativity

The Healing Power of Writing: A Therapist's Guide to Using Journaling With Clients

I have tried to journal, but didn't continue. At first I thought the reason is that I don't want anyone to find the journals, and know my dark side, but the last time, I wrote on a word document protected with a password, but didn't continue either. Maybe because it's passive and knowing that no one would react to it. I don't know.

[Velvet Lounger]

I have journal, in fact have bought several and kept them as they can provide info for a story I can share. I write chiefly in pencil, inserting Biblical quotations as need be. Once my thoughts transform into writing, they stay on the page and leave my mind. Filling blank pages up with one's inner feelings brings me release. Don't know what I'd do without being able to write.

[NeedHaldol]

I always write 6 pages in a small moleskine every morning. It is the first thing I do besides coffee. I fire up my chillout playlist and crack my notebook open.

As I write, I have trello open to get any ideas of stuff I need/would like to do. This keeps me focused on what I need to accomplish. There are certain things I put off because they are too time consuming or things I don't like to do.

I have a morning routine I have developed for myself which sets me up for the day. It really helps, although I have a new program called rescue time which tracks how much you spend on certain tasks. It was a real eye opener for me as to how much time I was wasting. I've got the motivation to try and improve - I am involved in many creative activities (DJ/Produce, paint, draw, watercolor, websites [my own] and I am opening an etsy store next week.

My wife and I are embarking on a transformative new way of life - diet and budgeting. I have been going through our old statements and adding them by month to excel spreadsheets. I am going to average out all the expenses and build a budget from there. We have a lot of stuff to do to our house and we really need to cut out needless spending to accomplish those goals.

I know I am going off book here (pun intended). I just started keeping my journals last year. I cannot even read my own handwriting so if I jump off thought for a moment, that whole idea is gone. No one can see my thoughts - at least I am sure of the vehicle of my journals (not other things which involve paranoia).

I don't know why I keep them. They are stacking up on my shelf. I switched from 3 pages in a letter sized book to 6 pages in a smaller book. I thought I would not like the smaller ones (I had ordered one by accident), but I actually like those better.

I have been doing this for over 20 years now. I can't imagine how many books I've filled and what different types of books I have used.

I guess I am keeping them not to read but as a visual, yet unreadable, stack that lets me know how far I have come.

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I have always been told I should keep a journal. I have tried so many times in the past and failed. I would forget about it or feel overwhelmed by it and it would be left undone. I have tons of partially started journals. Sometimes I spend so long picking out a nice fancy journal only to forget about it. I believe it would be good for me. Does anyone have any advice on how I can make it easier?

You know what's interesting Sarah, is that in this digital age, people are going back to papers. They have iPhone yet now the bullet journals are becoming increasingly popular and even the Filofaxes are making a comeback.

I also noticed that a lot of people actually print out their digital image for scrapbooks. So maybe there is something healing about handling papers, or being able to engage in your thoughts without electronic disruptions.

Amazon sells some "themed" journals so that may be a good start for you.

Amazon.com: themed journals

[zapatoes]

It would be awesome to journal and see a therapist every other week or monthly as a motivator for journaling and maybe it’s homework. To journal on my own I would be less motivated. In the past I’ve kept a food journal and it was helpful to count calories and help me think about how much I was eating. Maybe journaling could be applied in a similar way to someone who is depressed or struggling for another reason and help the person be more aware of how they think and help them think or look at things from another perspective. Ultimately it could maybe help them try to approach life or difficulties in a different and maybe in a way that has a better outcome than usual.

Have there been research studies on people who keep journals versus people who don’t keep journals and did the journal keepers fare better in life. I’m going to go google it now.

[Big Mama]

Journaling is the only thing that keeps me afloat. I have no one really to share my thoughts with. I don;t think any one would want to be burden by the things I have to share any way. I Journal using all the senses I can. I use a pencil so I can feel the lead scratching the paper.I try to have something that has a smell. Coffee, gum, a candle. I try to listen to calming music, unless I'm pissed then it is a little more hard core music.

I do not worry about spelling or grammar, I just write. Often times I end up with an ahh ha moment. I find the answers to life's mysteries by myself. Sometimes it is as good as having someone to talk to.

I have years and years worth of journals. One day when I am long gone maybe someone will find them and have great insight into one of there ancestors lives. It would be great for a horror movie. The history of a tortured soul could make for a great documentary on mental illness or the affects of abuse on the mind.

IDK, but it sure does help my mind to write it all down. If I write down my problems then I don't have to carry them around in my mind. I have put my problems down and I can close the book and walk away. If I want to reclaim them, stew over them or roll in them all I have to do is open up the book and there it is to do with as I wish.

[Velvet Lounger]

Firstly, every day I do a timed 5 minute writing exercise. I don't stop to make grammatical or spelling corrections. I will choose a subject; it can be anything, really. Doing this frees up the mind as I write freely and non-stop. It also is a good tool to use for writer's block because I can refer to previous days and usually find a subject to start me up again.

Journalling is a bit different, though positive. Looking back, I see how far I have come, and, in a good way. My daughter has started journalling.She is doing very well.

There is something very special in setting pen to paper. Or writing in pencil, particularly a handsome writing implement that has a built-in sharpener and eraser, so known as 'Perfect Pencil'. Using a 2B pencil, the graphite is a nice solid black, runs as smooth as silk, and once one's thoughts are down on paper, then I can close my journal and tackle the day in hand.

[DazedandConfused254]

I think it is imperative to learn journaling, and could be extremely useful in venting frustrations that you wouldn't be comfortable sharing in polite company. Do you relate to the common struggle with a billion thoughts in your mind hindering your feelings to be identified aloud? Maybe journaling can also do the deed.

In my personal experience it was something I did when I was younger but picked it up again with increasing daily stressors necessitating journaling my thoughts, especially since I spend quite a bit of time alone and am sensitive about people overreacting or the possibility of people abandoning me in my most vulnerable moments. I'll go overboard when complaining about difficult people or circumstances, so those pages will go out once I'm past the moment, but for the most part, I take a look at myself now and myself journaling and see growth!

Originally Posted by DazedandConfused254

I think it is imperative to learn journaling, and could be extremely useful in venting frustrations that you wouldn't be comfortable sharing in polite company. Do you relate to the common struggle with a billion thoughts in your mind hindering your feelings to be identified aloud?

Thank you for your input, DazedandConfused.

I think journaling is a risk-free way to vent your frustrations. You don't need to worry about anyone judging you; or saying something to someone that you will regret later (since you can never take back those words).

I've made the mistake of replying to emails and texts when I was emotionally overwhelmed and my mind was not very clear. Journaling helps me to process my thoughts and come up with a better response. Pens and notepads are essential parts of my wellness routine

[Anatta]

Journaling is conversing with yourself.

I journal when I am highly confused. Seldom do I reread my entries.

It is helpful to spill your mind as ink on the page.

[DazedandConfused254]

Originally Posted by ennie

Thank you for your input, DazedandConfused.

I think journaling is a risk-free way to vent your frustrations. You don't need to worry about anyone judging you; or saying something to someone that you will regret later (since you can never take back those words).

I've made the mistake of replying to emails and texts when I was emotionally overwhelmed and my mind was not very clear. Journaling helps me to process my thoughts and come up with a better response. Pens and notepads are essential parts of my wellness routine

You're so welcome @ennie. I couldn't have said that any better myself. As you have said, even our support groups we may have formulated over time can give out when they impose expectations on our character, or misinterpret our intentions. I think all of us are guilty of squeezing too much onto our plate at some point or another, even when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired (that HALT acronym). Thankfully the paper is a fresh start and lacks the capacity to abandon/judge you (at least until you have to get a new journal )!