| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
igotnosmoke
Australia
6 Posts |
 Posted - 05/21/2008 : 18:07:24
|
hey guys, just wondering whether you could share some effective questions that are used to drive your journalling. Or in most cases is it more common to just write anything that comes to mind???
Cheers,
Spiro |
|
|
mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 08:35:15
|
Yes it has been effective for me to write what comes to mind. I sometimes was amazed at what I was writing and my pencil had a hard time keeping up as my emotions spewed!
I put a topic at the top of the page, [e.g. restrictive childhood, son taking me for granted, everyday annoyance, etc.] then start to go through a cycle of feelings.
I feel angry that . . .
sad, afraid, guilty (major 4 emotions)
Get as mad, sad, etc as you need to till the feeling passes. I broke a few pencil leads writing.
I always look for a positive spin to end the writing though: e.g. through this experience I learned [to trust my instinct more] etc. I have always made myself find even a tiny morsel that I learned.
When you write a list as Dr. Sarno recommends, interesting things come to mind too. Turning [age #] soon, the time I . . .,--write it down if it comes to mind, no matter how small you think it is.
I've spent time working on accepting that I can't change the past, but can make the present and future better!
And be kind, loving and gentle with yourself!!
|
Edited by - mizlorinj on 05/22/2008 08:38:43 |
 |
|
|
Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 08:48:06
|
quote:
Originally posted by igotnosmoke
hey guys, just wondering whether you could share some effective questions that are used to drive your journalling. Or in most cases is it more common to just write anything that comes to mind???
IMO the latter is more effective.
Journaling is not supposed to be analytical exercise. It should be an escape valve for repressed emotions. Just start writing whatever comes to mind, without censorship or editing, and let it go where it goes. Make sure you protect the journal so there is no fear that somebody else will read it. You should feel free to write whatever comes to mind, even if it is embarassing, silly, irrational, hurtful to others, or even yourself. Just let it out! |
|
|
|
armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 11:28:27
|
http://www.etex.net/kelving/ includes a link to daily journal prompts and helpful suggestions. Lots of info there too. The site is run by a forum member. He doesn't post much but this info is really good.
Dr. Schechter has a structured workbook available on Amazon if you really need a lot of structure. I thought it was good, although it can cause "calendar syndrome" because it's a 30 day workbook. But I think he says that it's fine if you need/want to do it more than once. :)
I did a lot where I went back over past unpleasant events or situations, especially those that were near in time to onsets or worsenings of pain, and explored emotions about those events or situations.
I also did some "role obligation" journaling (I just made up that name for it right now :)), where I thought about my major roles in my life: self, friend, family member, employee, member of volunteer groups, etc. and wrote down things that might be causing unconscious anger in those areas, say if you are or were unhappy about the way a friend is behaving or treating you you would note that down, or if you resent having to do all the cooking, or something like that. This makes it easier than just trying to think of everything at once. The compilation of all these I called my "pressures list" and would often go back to it for ideas of where to start for some journaling.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
|
|
|
AmyAJJ
98 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 22:46:18
|
| I get into different issues depending on whether I'm typing my journaling or handwriting it. So that's something to keep in mind too. I could write on the same topic but one in typing and one in handwriting and they would both hit different issues within that topic. |
|
|
|
AmyAJJ
98 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 22:53:42
|
Here are some prompts and things to write on:
- Who has hurt me?
- Who is/has treated me unfairly?
- What do I need in order to be happy?
- I try to be good because...
- I'm afraid of displeasing others becasue...
- What sucks in the world?
- Who made me feel embarrassed or ashamed?
- What should my friends be doing differently?
- 100 ways that I try to be perfect
- Essay: How to not take care of yourself.
- Letter to a newborn about what they can expect from their parents in terms of being told what to do and not getting to be themselves.
- Letter to mom/dad about what you didn't like about your childhood.
- Pick an age in your life and write about what you didn't like during that age.
- Write about what your perfect world would include.
- I hate being human because...
- Other people suck because...
|
|
|
|
mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2008 : 11:42:04
|
Amy, great list!
I would add: be as specific as you can when you are writing. Try to come up with specific instances where you felt a certain way. Get to your feelings.
-Lori |
|
|
|
joan
34 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2008 : 14:29:28
|
quote:
Originally posted by mizlorinj
Yes it has been effective for me to write what comes to mind. I sometimes was amazed at what I was writing and my pencil had a hard time keeping up as my emotions spewed!
I put a topic at the top of the page, [e.g. restrictive childhood, son taking me for granted, everyday annoyance, etc.] then start to go through a cycle of feelings.
I feel angry that . . .
sad, afraid, guilty (major 4 emotions)
Get as mad, sad, etc as you need to till the feeling passes. I broke a few pencil leads writing.
I always look for a positive spin to end the writing though: e.g. through this experience I learned [to trust my instinct more] etc. I have always made myself find even a tiny morsel that I learned.
When you write a list as Dr. Sarno recommends, interesting things come to mind too. Turning [age #] soon, the time I . . .,--write it down if it comes to mind, no matter how small you think it is.
I've spent time working on accepting that I can't change the past, but can make the present and future better!
And be kind, loving and gentle with yourself!!
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
journaling questions
