Writing a Journal and Freeing Your Mind

I have suffered on and off with depression for a number of years and fairly recently have taken to writing short stories and even poetry.  However, I have written in a journal for a number of years (I call it my diary although it is lockable and doesn’t have dates and times of doctor’s appointments etc in there).  The regularity of my journal entries will often depend on my mood, the amount of free time I have and what’s been happening in my life around the time of the entries. Sometimes I write in my journal on a nightly basis, others it can be three times a day, or if my life has become rather hectic for any reason it could be once every two months.  I do try to stick to writing in my journal on an evening as I’m going to bed though as it helps me get rid of any circling thoughts that are keeping awake instead of letting me sleep. 

During the times that I haven’t written in my journal for a while I find the process can be quite reflective, it is somewhere to think about my feelings about the period that I have just come through.  These entries can become quite long, sometimes up to ten pages as I recount the happenings of the times.

                My journal is a private place where only I go and after a rant about the days events  I always feel that some of the weight sat on my shoulders has been promptly lifted.  I feel as though I have shared my emotions – even if I have only shared them with myself.  At other times I find it quite relaxing to read through previous entries.  It can help me see how my life has changed over the period of life written about.  It reminds me of feelings and emotions at certain times in my life; such as passing exams, having my operation and moving house and area.  I find that it helps me in my reconciliation process with issues I have had to deal with.

                In my personal experience I find that keeping a journal is a therapeutic way for me to release my feelings in a safe environment where the only person judging them is me.  From a statement or shout in a short story or poem to a private journal entry that lets my emotions out safely, all a written ways for me to express myself.

I have found that by going back through past journal entries, not only have I celebrated the best bits of my life or commiserated the worst bits; I have also recorded the mundane bits.  From what time I started or finished work and what I did there, to what I had to eat for dinner or what I watched on television.  As I am currently tracing my family history I would love to know what some of my ancestors did on one of their normal days.  By writing in my journal I know there is a written record of my life, so not only does it help me now, but it will help my descendants in the future.

I would love to know about your journaling experiences, please leave any comments below.