You all know one of my favorite sayings, these days I have found it to be more true than ever.
‘’If I get it all down on paper, it’s no longer inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to.’’
– Anna Nalick.
There is a lot out there about writing, such as writing about the things you’re grateful for, making your oh-so important to-do list, writing ideas down etc etc. the list can go on and on. Even though writing all those things is important and I do encourage it, I find there is one missing. One that is more in trend with the lyric of Anna Nalick. What about writing about all the things that bother you, that upset you and you keep rehashing over and over again in your head. Hurting the person it belongs to. Hurting you. Aside from all the journaling I already do, I also started Dear Diary journaling.
What is Dear Diary journaling?! It’s pretty simple actually. I have a notebook, diary, where I write down all and everything that I keep rehashing in my head. I start each new session with Dear Diary, note the date and time and start writing. Literally everything. From the minor annoyances to the big heavyweight things. For example: from remembering to buy ice cream when I already returned home from grocery shopping to the fact that I am at home sick. Anything that you need to let out in order to not relive it every not-so-occupied part of the day. Now I know when most people hear Dear Diary journaling they think about girls in their teens writing down their crushes. Not really what I do, but hey if you’re feeling it go for it.
1. NO filter
Dear Diary journaling is about getting things out of your systems literally. In the purest most honest form possible. If you were to take a peek in my journal you’d think I’m a real potty mouth with a sincere spelling and/or grammar problem. That’s because it’s not about writing everything neatly according to rules, it’s about getting things out of your system. For me, sometimes when I’m journaling I get into such a zone where I just write and write and write and before I know it I’ve filled six pages without even remembering when exactly I turned the page, which absolutely doesn’t matter because when I am done I feel so much lighter and better. A part of my brain can now focus on happier, more positive things.
If you want to know what other sort of writing I all do, you can take a look here! It all has been very beneficial to my mental health.
2. Progress
Before every journaling session I read a little bit of what I wrote the previous times just to see where I am at now. I also do this to see if there is anything I need to add in order to really get it out of my system and to put it to bed forever. Another reason I reread what I wrote is because it allows me to know and celebrate my progress. If after rereading something and I am done with it, progress has been made. Having the date and time there also helps. It lets me know the last time I was absolutely upset about it.
3. Aggression release
This is closely tied to the no filter part of Dear Diary journaling. Another benefit of writing out everything that bugs you is the fact that you are no longer loaded with all these negative emotions and feelings. So when something small happens it’ll be dealt with in a small matter. Instead of the avalanche that you’re holding inside following it. We all know what I mean.. The drop that tipped the bucket. The bucket can’t be tipped because it is being emptied every time you’re journaling.
One more thing for your Dear Diary journal. I highly suggest that you buy one that you can put a padlock on. Just an example for me to better convince you of the importance of the padlock. Imagine you’re upset about something someone has done and you have a ranting journaling session about them, can happen it’s okay. Afterwords you make up and all is forgiven. Now you have left your journal on the table when they’re over at your house. Need I continue? I don’t think so. Again I highly suggest buying a journal with a padlock. A padlock that is only easy to open if you have the key!!
Have fun journaling.
Love,
DCPR.
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