On Monday, I said that journaling is not really about your words. In that context, I meant that word choice is not important to your journal. You can say anything you want, any way that you want. In today’s context, I mean that journaling is really about releasing hurt pieces of yourself and gaining beneficial awareness, knowledge, habits, and empowerment. Today I want to take a closer look at what a daily (or frequent) practice of journaling can give us, and as always, why as an abuse and trauma victim, I found these things crucial.
There are so many topics that you can journal about, whether it is a peek into your day, a difficult or celebratory situation, symptoms that you are experiencing, a gratitude list, confidence mantras, etc. No matter what you are choosing to focus on, I believe that the greatest gift of journaling is recognition. You are moving your thoughts, dreams, desires, needs, burdens…to paper. They become real and recognizable. You are allowing space to see these things and say, “This is here. Now, what do I want to do with it?”
Once you have recognition, the other benefits can begin to trickle in. No matter what type of journaling you do, the advantage of putting it on paper is a new point of view. Your journal can become a log of everything happening inside of you or around you. It can create a manuscript of your inner dialogue. Even if your entire journal is quotes from other people, you will likely see themes occur because on some level you identified with those words enough to feel compelled to include them.
Journaling is a valuable practice to your healing journey because it can:
Reveal patterns of behaviors, emotions, or physical symptoms.
Identify triggers, survival reactions, and coping mechanisms.
Expose areas in which boundaries need to be placed.
Help you regain a sense of control as you recognize the things above and begin to implement new strategies that support growth and health.
Create a visual of progress and produce hope for the future.
Help you find your inner voice and build trust for your instincts, empowering you.
Change your perspective and grow empathy for yourself and others.
Encourage self-compassion and help you replace critical words with grace.
Build self-love, filling you with identity and confidence.
Keep you accountable to yourself.
Integrate your faith into your everyday life with scriptures, promises, and declarations.
As someone who was stripped of my sense of self and made to feel like nothing, all of the benefits above where critical to rebuilding. My journal is my safe space. It is where I can express absolutely any feeling or thought I have, no matter how ashamed I feel in the moment. By putting all of these things on paper, I was able to see that I didn’t need to feel shame. Every emotion I experience is valid, needs to be honored, and has a place in my journey.
My journal also helped me see when things were growing inside of me that I didn’t want, like bitterness or thoughts of revenge. I could identify what was perpetuating those thoughts, and move to find closure or peace in those areas so that they didn’t consume me. As I began to identify qualities that I didn’t want, I felt inspired to think about who I did want to be. This was critical during the divorce process. It put me in control of my reactions, and helped me to feel proud of how I was handling myself and the situation.
My journal is full of scriptures and reassurances of who God is and how He is working in my life. It is so special. Like I said on Monday, I like to journal on loose paper or cards so that I can hang these entries on my walls. Each piece holds a story of why I needed to write it, and how it made me feel to be reminded of it. My journal builds my faith and my hope for a brighter future. It reminds me that God sees me through different eyes, His love and promises unchanging, no matter my circumstance.
I pray that your journal would provide a safe space. I pray that it would help you to get to know yourself better and spur you to continue your healing journey. You are beautiful and there is beauty ahead of you.
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