During the course of our day its natural to have a million thoughts and memories swirling around. We may envision a new project, remember an event in our childhood, appreciate a sunset, or feel sudden tenderness towards an old friend. Writing down your thoughts and keeping a journal is a wonderful way to record and embrace our lives. So, its not surprising that journal writing, which is now offered at senior centers all over the United States, is one of the most attended classes.
You can use your journal as a private way to explore your thoughts and delve into your psyche, or you may choose to share it with others. Many people write as a way to share their personal history. But the most important part of writing in your journal is that it offers you a chance to be utterly truthful.
Keeping an honest journal not only has emotional benefits but physical ones as well. Psychologist Melanie Greenberg asked one group of subjects to write detailed journal entries about a personal trauma, ranging from abuse to illness and death of a loved one, and another set to write fictional accounts. Greenberg found that the subjects who had composed accurate accounts of their personal tribulations made two-thirds fewer trips to the doctor than the group that wrote fictional or impersonal accounts.
Writing openly, Greenberg suggests, may help us develop a sense of control over our emotions, and this in turn may contribute to good health.Keeping a journalYou can write down your thoughts, your feelings, your dreams and your observations. Its important to try and write every day or at least once a week. The important thing is that instead of letting important thoughts pass you by, you collect them and write them down. Remember, these writings are not for publication (unless you choose them to be) so you need not fret about the sentence structure or more importantly the subject matter. You will be less inhibited if your writings are just between you and a notebook paper. Writing is therapeutic. It gives you the opportunity to take stock of yourself, think about how you feel, and express your opinions. Think of it as a forum for self-analysis. Try not to dwell on negative emotions. If those are the only ones you explore, try learning something about what you are feeling and imagine ways to change your emotions. Write down these thoughts too.Affirmations, biblical proverbs, poems, excerpts from stories, even song lyrics with special significance can be recorded in your journal. If youre a visual person, you may decide to draw or cut out images and paste them in your notebook; you can use these for inspiration.
In any case, keep a journal for you and use it as a safe place to go during quiet times. Know that it is your private possession. There is a reason why many journals are designed with logs and keys. But it doesnt matter whether you buy a nice bound notebook the aim is to just let your words flow. Keeping a journal is a personal journey. Why not go on it?Robin Westen is ThirdAges medical reporter. Check for her daily updates. She is the author of The Big Book of Personality Quizzes for Women.See what others have to say about his story or leave a comment of your own.
