Learn How to Journal

So you can begin ventilating your true feelings!

Since I've learned how to journal, I've discovered the benefits that this type of ventilation method has to offer!

And because I believe in the power of journaling so much, I often recommend that my clients keep one handy for individual (i.e., venting about everyday stressors, recognizing values/goals, discovering needs/wants, etc.) and therapeutic reasons (i.e., facing the past, awareness of emotions that are bottled up, awareness of unhealthy relationships, etc.)

Journaling is just you, your thoughts, and your notebook. And the beauty of having a journal is, you can write about your “true” feelings without having to share it with anyone. If you never have had a journal, I highly recommend that you go out and buy one. There are many journals to choose from and they range in price and style. Find one that fits you!

I believe journaling is also a great way to discover your true feelings. For instance, if you’ve blocked your feelings your entire childhood and don’t know where to start, journaling will be a great way to get back in touch with those lost feelings. Are you wondering what you would say or how you would say it? Don’t worry! The beauty of journaling is, you can write anything that comes to your mind and you can write to your hearts desire.

Your true feelings are there, it’s just a matter of allowing them to come out, and journaling is a great place for that. The more you write, the more you’ll discover your feelings. And the important thing to remember here is... you cannot heal from your childhood abuse until you’ve discovered your “true” feelings.

If you’re not much of a person who likes to write, I recommend that you speak into a tape recorder. After listening to your recording, it will feel like someone is speaking back to you, and you may develop a better impression as to why you feel the way you do about the one who has hurt you.

If you would like to experience another way of ventilating your feelings, try sharing your story with others!

So, if you understand the power of journaling and are ready to begin, here are some tips on how to journal. However, before you start, these journaling tips are intended to guide you into opening up about your past and exploring deep rooted emotions you've held in for many, many years!

"How to Journal Tips" for Facing Your Past and Feeling Your Feelings

1. Find a quiet place!

Learning how to journal means your willing to give yourself some You time! I like to journal either at the end of the night or during times when I'm reflecting on my day, week, or month. Set some time aside everyday in order to get in touch with your thoughts and feelings. If you do not do this, you may not get the full benefits of what journaling has to offer. Make sure you can do this without any distractions!

2. Pay attention to times when something feels urgent.

Learning how to journal means you're willing to pay attention to moments that call to you.

What I mean by this is... when you have feelings that keep coming up over and over again (e.g., angry all the time, sad all the time, been very tearful for reasons you do not understand, feeling lonely, etc.), sit down, take a moment to yourself and question these feelings, that is, pay attention to them. Ask yourself.."Why am I having these feelings?"

If it's something minor, these feelings would not keep popping back up; however, if it's deep rooted, there's something much more! Discover what it is!

I've noticed in therapy, when the same feelings keep popping back up, it's often due to "unhealthy relationships" and "feelings about oneself because of his or her relationships (i.e., feeling guilty for being angry or feeling bad about self because his or her loved one called him/her a name.")

3. When the feeling does reappear over and over again, write it down!

If you're unsure how to journal number 2, here's what you do...write the main feeling down (i.e., explain the feeling in detail..how long have you been feeling this way, what do you believe caused it, have you noticed anything that makes you feel better..etc..), write about the relationships involved with this feeling (i.e., is there someone this feeling is directed towards, is there someone that reminds you of another person from your past, is this person abusive in anyway, etc..)

Start writing these questions down one by one and before you know it, you'll begin understanding where this feeling is coming from and you'll cope a lot better than before.

4. Writing and writing and writing until you're "spent.."

When you learn how to journal in a healthy way, you'll begin noticing that your feelings and thoughts poor out onto that paper like it never has before!

As soon as that pen hits the paper, you're participating in a healing process. Let your mind and feelings take you to places where you've never been before. In other words, start knocking down those walls you've built, and begin allowing yourself to feel those emotions!

Keep practicing the how to journal tips on a regular basis; make it a new habit or part of your daily ritual! It's a very important tool for healing from your child abuse story.

The next step to "Healing from Your Child Abuse Story Once and For All" is titled..."Dealing with Your Emotions Left Over From Child Abuse" This step teaches you how to deal with those nasty emotions of guilt, shame, blame, denial, and anger!

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