That sounds a little extreme to burn it, but if going through those measures to help with anxiety works more power to you. It definitely helps some to journal and toss it the garbage afterwards for me.

I have done very similar. I did not burn the paper but I once had an older friend, he was like an older brother and he was killed by a serial killer - I use to be able to talk to him and ask him for advice and after he was gone I would write to him when I had problems - kind of like journaling but it was as if I was still talking to him. It DID really help me.

Its a very good idea, I'll try it. Thank you,and your mom also.

that's a great idea, I think the burning of it is like watching it go away #greatidea

Excellent idea, especially when you are angry and writing hateful and hard words, burning is the best way to see the words leave without hurting anyone, including yourself.

Also helps in talking as mentioned above to someone you trust by writing it out.

Hurrah for this working!

@Joesmoe2 I don't think it's extreme at all. I feel a great sense of relief after I do it.

@sodalitelady Sorry for your lost, I can't even begin to imagine. I'm glad writing to him still makes you feel he's still with you :)

@Lucy1109 Let me know if it works for you. I hope it does :) And I'll thank my mom on your behalf :)

@cachetteen1 Thank you. I hope it works for you :)

@mideyebrow Quite frankly, I write some pretty angry, cringe worthy stuff and burning the paper makes me feel a lot better.

Thank you all for the replies. I hope this helps you all :)

There was this lovely chinese story about a girl who had to grieve for something or other, but had been sworn to secrecy. So she dug a hole in the back yard and told the hole, and then filled it up.

Same kind of idea. Writing is good, burning is good. Anything that shows you what your problem is and makes you come out with it is good. :)

The word 'express' means to remove something from inside you by getting it out. Like a mother expressing milk. It was inside you to start, and then you expressed it, and now it is no longer inside you. Very important. :)

Maybe write 3 positive things that you did each day and 3 things that you are thankful for. I was asked earlier to write down all the negative thoughts and triggers and it drove me crazy. We need to get our minds focused on the positives and try to stay away from the negatives. List 3 nice things about the your friend and why you were thankful for him. Just an idea to do a shift in thinking. I have done this for the last 4 days and it gets my mind more on the positives. Peace and sorry for your loss.

Wow I need to try this except the burning of the paper part. Jus tear the paper instead. It couldn't hurt to try maybe it will help my anxiety. Good advice @beachshore

I think that it's a great idea. It can be symbolic of letting the problem go away for good. However I would recommend throwing it away or tearing it rather than burning it . Hope it helps.

@beachshore This is a great idea as well :) Thanks.

I think journaling about this might be a good idea .....i think I will try it ....we will be having fires I could burn it than ....thankyou

You're welcome. And really for anyone who tries this, if you choose to write something and get rid of it. The method of disposing it doesn't really matter. I just find burning it to be cathartic.

I like the burning part :) flames are relaxing, as long as it is controlled and safe.

@ beachshore this sound like the resiliency training they have been teaching us in the army... it is corny and we make fun of it (like everything else) but effective. It is called "hunt the good stuff". They ask you to write three positive things about each day, and I don't remember if this is part of it, but I used to write three things to look forward to in the next day as well. I tried this when I was in a training course and finding it difficult. For example I might find the training coming up the next day difficult and was scared I would do something stupid and make a fool of myself, but I was at least going to have peanut butter with breakfast and that was my favorite thing :) it's all about the little things...