Why YSK?
I had a very close brush with depression few years back. It was journaling habit that saved me. Many times you wish to keep your ideas and your health to yourself (or are simply unable to share) this is where journaling can be extremely powerful tool to help yourself
Often times it was very painful to be wanting to speak to someone who could understand the pain and suffering, yet also knowing that there isn’t one. It’s not that my friends or my parents would shun me away from speaking out or seeking help, but because my depressed mind always circled back to the point that they cannot understand me.
Journaling allowed me to talk to the person who knew all about me; Myself.
I would write a couple of pages about things bothering me, feelings of powerlessness, and just sharing the general hopelessness. Sometimes I would re-read previous pages and it would become an exercise of trying to solve some of the problems. It was like having two different versions of myself speaking to each other. Sometimes one would speak of an issue, the other would try to find a way out, and vice versa.
Over the course of a few months, it was joined by another instance that would comment on my progress over some ideas that I had been thinking over. So, it became sort of scientific process of observation, hypothesis and experiment. At one time I would explain a problem, some time later I would myself come up with a solution that could help it, and soon I would be talking it over with myself about how good it was and suggesting changes to myself after all that experience.
My initial fight with depression has been over for many years now, but I kept journaling. It helped me lose weight, get into shape, set my own goals and start new hobbies even. One thing I want you to know is that at the current moment, I feel as though my depression is like cigarettes. I quit, but every day I still wish to start again. It means that another stressful time at work or even home has the potential to restart depression in my head, and it very nearly did.
It was journaling that alerted me to my changing mental state, enabled me to come up with a strategy to fight back and take back control of my own life.
Mental health is not like other health issues where people can see the effects on your body, your face. If someone can recognize your depression from your behavior, chances are that you have already suffered too much pain. While there are many places that can provide professional help that you may need, I admit that not everyone is in a position to seek it out - like myself. In that case, I hope that this personal experience can be a little helpful
This is all so important and insightful. You wrote it up in a way that is so clear about the value of journaling. I really need to get back into the habit of it.
Journaling was the first time I said “out loud” that I wanted to start a small business, and… I have. It was something I’d wanted to do for years and years and years and just never did, because I didn’t believe I could. Getting it out of my head and exploring the why and how made such a difference.
I want to say this: I know that among science-minded people, it’s common to dismiss (and mock people who use) tarot cards. “It’s just random, drawing a card doesn’t tell your future” (followed with the sometimes implied, sometimes said aloud: “you dumbass”).
I journal in the way that you describe here OP but it can be really hard for me to get started and make it a habit. So, I often journal by using tarot. The cards don’t “tell my future,” I know that. But they serve as a journaling prompt that is really helpful for reflection. Does this describe me? Do I want it to? What can I do to achieve/change it? Also… they’re pretty. It’s nice.
Related: astrology is good for this too! Another often mocked practice. We’re in the new moon in the sign Gemini yesterday/tonight. “New moons are symbolic moments of new beginnings. With a new moon in the air sign of Gemini, our mindset, ideas, opinions, what we’re curious about, and the way we communicate with others all hit the cosmic refresh button.” Hmm… sounds like a pretty good prompt for journaling and reflection, huh??
If you want to start journaling, but you’re having trouble getting started, and it won’t make you feel self-consciously woo-woo… give it a try. Tarot and astrology don’t tell your future – they can help you write it. 🌑✨
Oh, I have a story that is not much different. I am what you called science-minded person. So, you can imagine what I must be thinking about tarot cards or astrology. But I definitely do get you. Few days back I had a dream. That lead me down the rabbit hole of deciphering its meaning. It wasn’t anything spectacular, just plain old random-ass dream. But dreams are pretty big in my society so there is ample material to decipher them. I picked one up at random and found out that my dream was good. That was it.
I admit that some other dream dictionary might tell me that my dream is an omen of doom, but just like yourself I took that initial meaning and wrapped it around my situation well enough that I could spend next few days in relative calm. Even though I do not believe in them at all.
I’ve had some good times journaling, but it’s been hard for me to start up as a regular practice. I never know what to write about. Do you have any suggestions from your own experience on what to focus on for someone that’s just getting started?
For me it has always been me talking to myself. Very rarely I would take an approach where I needed to detach from myself in hopes of finding the best option objectively and without my own bias etc.
To start off, try to speak to yourself just as you would with any other person. Obviously, you may think that you know yourself well enough (I’ll explain why this is wrong later, but for the sake of explanation just go with it) so that you can try to speak to yourself like this is your best friend. You know your likes, dislikes, things you like to talk about, things you are afraid of. The best feeling you can seek is to be able to speak with absolute freedom, because it’s you yourself you are talking to. So, you don’t have to fear of coming out as being awkward.
I was all over the place when I started. Sometimes I still am. But it’s quiet unlike speaking to some other person. When you speak to others your mind starts to wonder what if they think you are too weird. You absolutely will be weird in the start, just like you are weird around new people. But as your friendship grows you get more comfortable.
So, the key is to keep writing on the regular. I normally write a couple of pages once a month. Lately I’ve been writing more due to some stress in my life. You can write once a month, or once a week or a day. Or even multiple times a day, but make it a habit to write regularly. You will find that very quickly you will become comfortable with this new friend and your writing style will change. Mine has changed multiple times over the years. It has taken me on a journey of self-discovery. And I promise you, if you can go even 10% as far as I have in journaling, you will recognize that you never really knew yourself before you started journaling.
I go through phases where I like to write stuff down, but I’m always fearful someone will find them. My family has no boundaries and are mean drunks
:(
Do you have a personal device with your own password? I’m sure there are journaling apps out there. It’s not quite the same as pen and paper but better than nothing. Best of luck to you!
I myself started writing in a notepad on my laptop. Sometimes when I needed to I would write on my phone even. In those initial days it would often be months before I would write anything. But it helped me still. I hope you can find something that can benefit you
Thank you for writing this. As someone with ADHD I find it hard to stick to journaling although I can feel it’s helping me. So, thank you for bringing this up as it reminded me that I should do this.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve journaled on and off ever since I was a kid. When I feel myself struggling, I tend to jump back into it. It really helps!
Your last paragraph is so well said. I’d like to highlight the idea that “chances are that you have already suffered too much pain.”
As a society we should strive to normalize treating mental illness, like depression, the same we we deal with physical woes. Consider that mentalxhwlathcan have its own specialities!
In the United States, if you are experiencing ideas of harming yourself you can call or text 988. In the UK call 999.
https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/ has international resources.
Thank you for this very helpful post! I crossposted it to my Bipolar Disorder community.
Love this post! I was always horrible at journaling; I’d write, but it all felt very uncomfortable and insincere. I forced myself to keep at it, and eventually, I started to really enjoy it. Journaling can be such a wonderful self-reflective experience, and it has helped me a lot over the past few years. ❤️