My Journaling Experience

So far, my journaling experience has been VERY rewarding. Being able to take the time to write out my thoughts and feelings almost has a meditative effect and helps me clear my head. I like that I am able to work through issues instead of suppressing them as I would usually do, without the risk of talking to a friend about it and possibly them breaching confidentiality. I keep my journal with me most places I go (in my purse) and at night on my bedside table, that way if I have any fleeting ideas I can jot them down really quickly and go back to them at a later time. Most of the time I will set a timer for fifteen minutes or so, and before I know it the timer is up and I still have a lot more I want to say.

The only challenge I have come across so far is finding the time, or convincing myself that I am not too busy, to write. To counteract this excuse-making, I try to carve out the last fifteen to twenty minutes before I go to bed to write in my journal. It still is not on a daily basis yet, but I hope for it to be soon.

My journal has shaped into more of a reflective and explorative place for me. I get my overwhelming feelings out, but then I try to look at the bigger picture of what caused these feelings, why so and so might have said that mean comment, etc. It really helps me take time to work things out instead of jumping to conclusions or suppressing everything going on in my head, and it helps me single out and celebrate the happy things. I also found journaling ideas and monthly journaling challenges on Pinterest that really help me when I am stuck and do not know what I want to write about.