How to Journal

Journaling has been used for hundreds of years, and has proven therapeutic benefits. Writing in a journal helps relieve stress, and helps the writer to gain control of their life and understand themselves better.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pen or pencil
• Paper or a notebook or
• A computer
• Time and place

1. After you have purchased the paper or notebook, or sat down at the computer, block all other things from your mind. This is your time. What is on your mind? Did anything eventful happen today? What made you happy, angry, sad, hurt, or any of a long range of emotions? What was your part in the event, or day?

2. Set aside a place and a time that belongs to you alone. Try to not let anyone or anything come between you and your special time.

3. Think and examine your day and the role you played in it, and be honest. Your thoughts belong to you, as do your words. Only in being honest can you come back and reflect and grow from what happened today. The paper cannot yell at you. It cannot pick a fight or criticize so let the words flow naturally. Don't spend time worrying about grammar or spelling. It is content that matters.

4. Date your entries and place the time of day on them. As you reflect back and reread past entries the time and date will indicate patterns or growth.
   Triggers will become apparent, and healing can take place from listening to your inner voice. (These may not be your "triggers" but those of a loved one.) Your world will become clearer to you as you reflect.

Tips & Warnings

• Only in being aware of who we are can we effectively interact with others.
• Emotionally charged issues will become clearer as you gain more perspective.
• Keep your journal in a private place because someone else may not see it in the same perspective as you. Private thoughts should be shared on your terms.

[saccomanr]

on 4/9/2009 Hello, I have been journaling for therapy over the past two years with My Therapy Journal. It allows me to journal online based on therapy. The site is http://www.mytherapyjournal.com It might be of use to you.

[goodselfme]

on 3/30/2009 Journaling is so therapeutic. Thank you for the reminder.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/5/2009 Great article. I never leave home without my journal. I never know when I might have to wait for someone or have time to write in it. 5*

[sneedc]

on 12/27/2008 Great journaling techniques. eHow is my "new" journal! thanks for this article. 5* & recommendation to boot.

[globewatcher]

on 8/28/2008 Thank you, I have never kept a journal but have always thought about doing do. More of an idea journal is what I would like to do, rather than deepest thoughts and emotions (they are too personal to me to write down) maybe someday.