Discussion Thoughts on Journaling?

[UninformedLover]

I've started journaling at the suggestion of my therapist and I don't know if it's helping. I have only did it twice so far so I'm going to give it a chance. I guess it is a good way to document stuff that has happened to me that I want to talk about later on in therapy. But does anyone else journal? What do you think of it? Did/Does it help?

 

[afinedaytoexit]

Hey, in my experience it depends a lot on how you're feeling and if you're prone to rumination. Journaling may either help me sort out my feelings and verbalize them, or trap me into a self-destructive rumination loop.
And whenever I feel it's helping me, the relief I feel is kinda short-lived. But long-term, it's pretty helpful and allows you to gain insight on how your emotions work, your triggers, your emotional patterns etc.

 

[SomeoneHelpMe]

Hello, I do journaling. I have done it a few times now, and it has truly helped me work on some things. I was able to actually see, that I have been done wrong. But not only that, I also saw that there are many people helping me out, and that I have managed quite a few things in my life. I could also, in hindsight, see many of the little joys and wonders.
I have stopped due to a depressive episode, but after seeing your post, and thinking about it, I will start again today. So, thank you. :)

 

[spero_meliora]

If you can manage to keep up with it, I think it can definitely help -- it makes me stop overthinking, sometimes even just writing letters that will never be sent to people even helps. It's also a useful tool to see trends in your day to day or over a period of time, and help you avoid potential triggers and/or help sort your thoughts of things you need to bring up in therapy (if you attend). the patterns are helpful!

 

[Sabrinaxox]

Journaling is sooo helpful for documenting, not just for therapy but even lil happy memories and stuff to look back on and see how far you've come :) I also find journaling before sleep can help get thoughts out of my head so im not up all night stressing over random shit haha

 

[Grog]

Sometimes it feels cathartic to put painful thoughts and feelings to paper. I like to journal; I personally find it helpful. But I'm sure it's not for everyone.

I really like iPhone's Journal app. I can write an entry, and then log my emotion into Apple Health which is also logged into my journal entry — as well as photos, activities I was doing, places I went, etc. It's easy, organized, and it's with me wherever I go. I especially like taking a photo of where I am when doing a journal entry so I can remember exactly where I was when I felt what I felt.