Life is filled with ups and downs. Some of the ups are really good, and some of the downs are really bad. I like to have my journal by my side for all of it. The day I got married, the day I got divorced ten years later, beautiful family vacations, funerals, and all of it in between. Yet, I know that journaling is about more than just recounting a day, whether or good or bad.
You can really get into it with the journal. I didn’t realize this until later in life. My journal has helped me through not only tough events in life, but some tough inner words, as well. Here’s a look at how journaling can help us all heal from the past:
Gives You a Place to Start
When dealing with anything that needs to be worked through, such as a wound or a terrible past, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, you can start in your journal. Simple exercises, such as a daily thought dump or free write exercise can go a long way to helping you navigate things. Start by opening our journal, dating the top of the page, and write whatever comes to mind.
Set the timer for 10-15 minutes and stop writing once the timer goes off. Your past won’t be healed in a day, but even doing a simple exercise like this can at least make you feel a tiny bit lighter.
Have a Space for Your Feelings
Most of us go through our days with smiles on our faces even when we’re sad, or neutral expressions even when we’re happy. In other words, we may not even be in touch with our real feelings. Real healing begins by knowing how we really feel. Being in touch with who we are inside can heal you from the inside out. Interact with the world the way you really feel.
Smile when you’re happy, cry when you’re said. You can find your true feelings in the journal and that will he;[ you interact with the world a lot stronger. This is important because we can’t heal from the past unless we’re in touch with how we really feel inside.
Builds Self Compassion
When going through something, it is all too easy to spend time beating ourselves up. The journal can help us see that our feelings are valid and that there is no need to direct so much negative energy towards ourselves. The journal can help us soothe the inner critic and even give the negative voices a space to be heard. The journal can also teach us how we can learn from a situation. This can reframe our understanding of the event, which can make us feel more compassionate towards ourselves.
I am not a therapist – I have just used my journal to assist me through life, no matter what I am going through, happy or sad. If you have some real healing work to do, it is best if you talk to therapist. He or she can even give you advice on how to best use your journal!