Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Journaling

Ash122
Ash122

Ok so most everyone suggests writing things out or Journaling.


Can anyone tell me what's the best way to do that? Do I just write down anything and everything in that moment? Past and future things as well? Is it suppose to sound coherent or constructive? Am I suppose to read it afterwards?

I only ask bc I feel like if I wrote down what all is tossing around in my head that it wouldn't make any sense. Do I read it to my therapist? She's going to think I'm a crazy person and put me in an institution (big *irrarional* fear of mine). And every time I've journaled before it's been for a specific topic. 

I would just appreciate some direction and/or to learn about all of your Journaling experiences. Thank you

Community LeaderMid
Mid
Write it out, no matter what it seems like, sounds like, looks like. Getting it out in words will help you relax and feel calmer.

You do not have to share your journal. You can share bits and pieces, if you want. It's your tool to help you sort through the thoughts, emotions, feelings.

It's not an assignment. It's a way to get those words floating in your mind out in a safe way.

Often, after doing free writing journal, patterns of thoughts show up, and you find ways to work your anxiety for your well-being.

You're not alone. Best wishes.
Italianmomma4ever
Italianmomma4ever
Hi Ash,
Glad your journaling. And Mid is the best person to give you advice on how to do it. She's a pro at it. Lol
Best wishes on journaling.
arfie
arfie
I start with my biggest worry of the day and let stream of consciousness lead me from there. I am frequently surprised by where that stream of consciousness leads. There seem to many places in my psyche that my conscious mind is not even aware of.

Take it in small bytes, Ash. One entry at a time, however long or short that entry may be. Easy does it. Just let ^it^ flow.
Ash122
Ash122
This is all good information that I genuinely appreciate. I need to buy some new notebooks....
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
I am a big fan of stream of consciousness. I just let it all flow out of my head in its own crazy way--and I don't judge it or think of anyone else reading it--its kind of written diarrhea...lol...I just let it all go and do feel better--I don't generally even read it to myself until months later--its just the act of putting it all out there--no matter how crazy it sounds. When I do read it way later I either laugh at myself because whatever was bothering me turned into nothing-or I end up really thinking because I wrote something very telling. Or I cry. All of it is cathartic.
HopingCxn
HopingCxn
Just start writing! I start half of my journals with "I don't know what I want to write about" and then I end up with 5 pages. Just write. No pressure. No expectations to get it right, or even make sense. No pressure to go back and read it again, or even to show it to anyone, or even to keep it. Maybe you'll want to burn some entries ina campfire, but just write.

If you can find it, the book "writing down the bones" by Natalie Goldberg is about just getting started with writing everyday, and a good guide if you wanted a little bit more of encouragement.
Ash122
Ash122
Thank you for all the responses. I did my first session of writing tonight. Ended up with two pages of stream of consciousness type stuff. Managed to write down my scariest negative intrusive thoughts on paper for the first time. So trying to be optimistic about everything.

Thanks again
Brockster
Brockster
Way to go! Journalism can be a great tool, especially when you go at it without expectations. Sometimes my entries are as boring as what I'm planning to do on some day. Other times they are just recounting things that happened. But, sometimes, in the recounting I can start reflecting on what I was thinking or why I was thinking something or I'm able to see the fallacies in my thinking. And then, sometimes, I just celebrate having a good day or having done something hard that I'm proud of. It is whatever you want or need it to be.
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