I sometimes start a mood diary, but then I get down and can't be bothered to keep it up, or I go up and forget all about it!

I'm just wondering..does the ACTUAL writing process that's involved...Does that affect your mood if it becomes a chore to have to write in it everyday ?

I find it helpful. I don't write everyday. Sometimes I sum up several days at the same time.
When I am super down. I don't do it. When I start feeling better, I start up again. Then I know how many days by the last entry.
I usually journal on here with some details.
If I get to caught up in the details or negative stuff, I will do a thankful list in addition or instead. Or use just one or two words.

I think I modify everything I do to fit me. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, but I am excellent at streamlining systems. That comes from trying to keep up with 2 sisters who were physically stronger than I was growing up.


strum(2) It can become a chore. But can be a helpful tool. Use it for a couple of months and see if it works for you.

Okay.I been Ten Years and haven't.I've written folders and folders of songs and poems and shit and wonder..if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I shouldn't apply that rule to Mental Illness!! haha

i have a mood chart that doesn't involve writing, just checking the appropriate box. it gives a pretty inclusive continuum to choose from and also includes productivity levels and meds and sleep patterns. it's as easy as checking boxes once a day. but that said, i haven't kept up on mine. but i think it's a great tool.

I journal everyday. In there I always talk about my mood. I have the info if I need it but I rarely go back and read the stuff I write. When I was really sick a few years ago I wrote a lot of poetry and I know if anyone ever reads that stuff they are going to know I'm crazy. LOL

I use the mood chart here at DS and journal or at least try to everday.

I have been able to figure out a few of my triggers by doing this and make adjustments to correct what my triggers do to me.

Also, should my pdock or tdoc ever ask me for my journals, they can be pulled up in just seconds and they can read and discuss what is written there without my having to make any copies or rewriting anything. It my mental health tool.

If it were not for this site, I would not have come as far in my mental development as fast as I have.

I don't let things bother me like I did. I have learned to control my issues. Its the most wonderful feeling there is.

Thank you again Doug for giving us this site. You are truely a wonderful man.

Used too keep a Journal...wow heavy s*** before Meds finally kicked in...deep man.

i used to be very anti-journal, even when so many people recommended it. if i ever did it in the past, i hated to go back and read it.

now i really, really like it. i find it cathartic. especially since when speaking, i often find myself stumbling over words and prob sound like a lunatic (brain is moving too fast for the mouth to catch up).

i haven't been home this week and the computer i'm using has a browser that doesn't work 100% with the revamped DS. i can do most things... obviously respond to discussion posts (!), comment on journals, hugs, etc. but when i click "write" in my journal, the brower crashes.

so i'm really missing it. especially since i'm going through a pretty big swing of emotions this week. guess i should go searching for one of those official mood charts.

I was "forced" to keep a journal at the p-hospital. I read it now and think "what was the point"?

I've started one a couple of times but found them too difficult and unhelpful. my psychologist is making me an "anxiety diary" at the moment, which is easier. if I have times during the week when I feel unbearably anxious, I write them down. only one entry this week!

making me keep* not making me

Mood charts and diarys are fantastic things, you can learn so much about yourself by doing them