[Peppermint_Patty]

Hi All,

I've always found journal writing to be very useful for recording events and places I've traveled, sticking to my "To-Do" list when it comes to my goals and hobbies, and also for writing about things, situations or people that are bothering me.

I've kept a journal for 25 years now.

Anyway... I am just wondering how many of you keep a diary or journal?

Do you find it useful?

And do you write in regularly?

I write in mine most days of the week, and sometimes everyday.

BTW... I was going to try to post a poll with this thread, but I don't know how set it up or edit it. Does anyone know how to do this?

Peppermint Patty

[Catherine2]

Patty,
I've also kept a journal for years. Handwritten at first then in Word when I bought my first computer.
It's mainly used for personal things; my feelings, problems, grounding techniques, etc.. It helps me to look back and see how I've gotten through difficult times. Often it is a source of hope, a reminder of getting through rough times.

Catherine

i started journaling recently and i find it helpful.

i have two- one i keep on me all the time and is more observations and notes, occasional poems or pictures.

the other is a proper journal i write in nearly every night.

I have multiple journals, but I hardly ever write in them. The internet is basically my journal...I should probably change that...

[Catherine2]

Originally Posted by Kaika

I have multiple journals, but I hardly ever write in them. The internet is basically my journal...I should probably change that...

Kaika,
I found it easier to journal whenever I am going online. Before or after I've done my business, so to speak. I figure because I'm already at the computer that I might as well do it then.

[sky dancer]

I write often, but not always diary fashion, and I've had a terrible time writing since recovering from complex PTSD.

I have started a thread in the Creative Corner about what helps me keep my spirit alive.

My liveliness, honesty and spunk are not universally appreciated, but they are a survival strategy and I can honor all parts of myself by including even some of the darkest nights.

I encourage you to express yourself, no matter the cost.

[bera]

Peppermint Patty

I was told when I was realesed from a mental hospital that writing in a journal can so you how you are improving. For me it has been a great way to realese all my anger.

[sunrise]

I keep a regular journal and write in it at least weekly and sometimes a couple of times a day.

I started keeping a diary when I was about 11 years old. This morphed into a "journal" around high school. I kept it up until sometime in my 20s. Then, about a year after I met my husband-to-be I stopped keeping a journal. I started up again about 2 and a half years ago, when I was ready to really work on facing my bad marriage and getting divorced. I never thought about the connection between marriage and journal writing, but I think there is one. It's so great to be keeping a journal again!

[skeeweeaka]

I've always journaled, although sporadically depending on how I was feeling at the time. Recently, I started journaling reguarly and I must tell you that it has helped me tremendously! It gives me a place where I can vent, get out my feelings, my anger, my resentments, etc. Initially, I was worried about it but the bottom line is that it is really helping me to work on myself because I felt that I wasn't really making any progress with my T. It had gotten to a place where she was basically helping me to cope but I felt that I wasn't getting anywhere.

I've made a great deal of progress since I began journaling, mostly I think because it helps me to see in writing the challenges and opportunities that I embrace every day. It helps me to feel that I am worthy, that no matter what I face, the sun will come out again (even if it is only for a couple of hours or a day) and I will get back up!

TJ

[thunderbear]

I used to until my husband started reading them.

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by thunderbear

I used to until my husband started reading them.

Can you keep an online journal and create a password??? Just a thought!

TJ

[Miss Laura]

Ye i have kept a Journal/Diary for years.

Ever since i was at school. Its helped me out a lot. I still keep one now.

I actually have 3, 1 is on the computer which is where i just write an update on my life. Its personal as i can only see it. I have it on Microsoft Word. The other 1 i write a weekly update and the last one i write about significant things in my life or people who make me happy etc. I find it VERY theraputic. It does take alot of time and effort to keep 3 though. But somehow i have managed

[fallenangel337]

I try to write in mine every single day. It's extremely therapeutic for me, because I can spill my soul and be 100% honest without worrying about consequences and judgment. It's such a great release for anything that I'm feeling. It's a great, great outlet for me.

[ExiExi]

I had one and after three or four months it was still empty. Someone might read it.. and I don't want to think about its safety all the time.
I've given up.. too disturbing.

[aria83]

I have always kept a journal. Right now I write in mine a lot. When I am down, writing in it is therapeutic. I also write down things like my goals.

[Black Rose]

I've tried keeping a journal, but I forget to write in it so I gave up and only use an online one now.

[Christina86]

I use an online one, since I'm on the computer a lot anyways. It's actually a "blog" but I have a filter that's more for journalling about stuff.

[Naturefreak]

Would'nt want anyone else to find it



Great idea though .........

[thinker22]

I was told by a former therapist to keep one so I did for a year and a half, then I just gave up on it for 6 months because I felt I wasn't making any progress. Then I wound up severely depressed. So I started it up again in January of this year and I write in it every day: the good, the bad...and you know. It's probably therapeutic, although I'm not sure how. At least I don't have to dump all of my info on people I know.

[Perna]

I did for 10+ after reading/working through Julia Cameron's "Artist Way" in the mid-90's and found it extremely helpful in therapy and other areas of my life.

[Lifsuks]

Hi,
I used to keep a journal when I was in college many years ago. But, when I read what I wrote, I tore everything up and threw it all away; I didn't want anyone to read my misery, not even myself! I've kept journals throughout the years but always ended up tearing these up too. I began writing again just before I started T, and this has helped me a lot in sorting out my emotions when I'm in a bad mood. I even write when I'm feeling upbeat, and even just to commemorate those special moments that made me smile. I carry my journal w/ me all the time, even to work, so that when I'm feeling a bit vulnerable or upset, I can write in it (of course when no one is around) and start feeling better. My T also encourages me to write in my journal; it gets me thro' those trying times in between appts. I also use it to jot down questions and stuff I want to discuss w/ my T; he is used to seeing me pull out my journal just before my session begins. It's interesting to see how many of us write in journals and the many uses and forms we use it for.

[lifelesstraveled]

For the most part, I have always kept a journal. Growing up it was the only place I had that to vent or "talk" to. I have since destroyed/thrown out all of the ones I have had in the past. I wish I had saved them to look back on what i was feeling and go through during my childhood and teenage years b/c now all those years are a blur--and it's not even like it was that long ago as I am only 26.

Now, I keep a journal with me in my bag and also keep a livejournal blog. I love writing. I find it's so easy for me to express myself through writing and T encourages me to share with her some of what I write, but I am reluctant right now.

[itsabigpond]

As part of my recovery from a breakdown, I started an anonymous online blog (two weeks ago). I have to say that it is really helping me with my emotional recovery - I've found it to be a great way to get things off my chest and also a great new personal challenge; to blog my progress from rock bottom up to (hopefully) the top.

Since starting the blog, I've had people leave comments and statements of support on some of the posts, which I have found incredibly encouraging. So, I thoroughly recommend it!

Tiny Clownfish

[pondbc]

I write in a diary every day and also write down everything I eat. I have a journal I write in when I have some kind of blinding revelation or insight. My favourite is my humour journal, in which I write everything funny that has happened. I reread it and laugh about things I had forgotten.
When I was a child I wrote in two five year diaries from the ages of 8 to 18. My father started a bonfire in the back yard and made me burn them. It was because I used to mark each page with a special symbol whenever he had hit me. I really resent losing all those memories of my childhood that I had.

[A_Long_ways]

I've tried, but I only found myself writing on bad days, not good ones. So when I would go back and read it it would make me feel bad even if I was having a good day. I burned them and haven't wrote in a journal since, I do write lots of poetry and online posts though.