Journaling
Journaling - Keeping a Journal

Journaling can be therapeutic, cathartic and overall a very healing experience. The modern term 'journaling' is from the
old term 'keeping a diary'. Many of us kept diaries growing up with hope that nobody would find and read it.
Nowadays, its common to share your journal with others and even post it on the internet in an online community.
Sometimes, reading what other people are going through and how they deal with lifes issues and traumas can somehow
ease our own maladies and troubles.

There are different types of journaling. Below are just a few examples. There is no right or wrong way, just do what
feels right and don't worry about someone critiquing your work, this is for your own benefit only. Open the journal,
take your writing instrument and pour your heart out. I can assure you that you will feel better.


Journaling to Ease our Grief

Writing can help us get past our sadnesses and sufferings.

We often have to deal with losing a loved one. Whether the loss is expected or quite sudden, it is a loss nonetheless.
Talking to others going through grief can help, but sometimes, just opening your soul and pouring your grief onto a
blank page and closing the book afterwards can be very therapeutic. You will notice that as time goes by and you
continue to write daily or weekly or even less often than that, you will feel better and when you re-read your entries
over time, you will see how your grief has transcended into something that has made you stronger and more able to
deal with the pain you are feeling.


Dream Journaling

Dreamwork can help us tap into the sub-conscious, the shadow self, we have forgotten about. Its ideal to keep a journal
on your bedside table and immediately upon wakening, write the dream down so you won't forget the details. No
matter how minute or insignificant they seem, write it down. Sometimes its the little details that open the doors to what
is behind the dream.

Expression of Your Creative Self

Do you write poetry? Do you write songs? If you are creative or need an outlet to express yourself, why not do it in a
journal? Have fun with it and decorate the outside of it and make it your own expression of who you are. Keep those
poems and those lyrics, you may find one day that it could be just the inspiration you need.