Everyone has a process, even if they don't know what that process is at first. To begin journal writing, sometimes you just have to dive on in and create your own style -- whether is it involving singular words written randomly, random drawings, random lines and circles and/or spirals/mandela looking things, and/or actual combination of sentences (whether or not they are telling a cohesive story). It's encouraged that you just "go with it" and allow your emotions to pull through. SOME DAY (not necessarily required activity though) you may want to look at the prior journals that you have done when you are more healed than you are at the present day; however, if it is something that you are afraid that someone else may get hold of them and use them against you, you may want to hide them for safekeeping and/or destroy them after a period of time. The most important part is to get your thoughts on paper so that you have a frame of reference to measure how much you have come along on your healing journey.
Some will choose to blog their thoughts on a private blog; however, if you are being controlled by an abuser (like an abusive husband), they CAN (not necessarily are) be monitoring your computer as well. Don't panic. Just make sure that you are doing so from a safe location and computer before you do. Just a caveat to be aware of. We always would like to know that you are safe when you are journalling.
Another option....
you can practice journaling aspects/techniques (not necessarily your own story and/or anything related to your direct feelings) through writing creatively through a number of free contests.
One of the ones I like to do is the ones through what is called National Novel Writing Month (aka "NaNoWriMo"), which is usually in November of each year; however, they stage many other contests like the one that is coming up in April called "Camp NaNoWriMo". They have many genres to write in, and this year they have added a few more, including poetry (in case poetry is your forte). It isn't so much a contest in the greater sense of the word but it is more of a challenge to challenge yourself to meet your personal best. They are rallying up the interest and many "campers" are returning (virtually) to put themselves to the challenge again. Sometimes, it is just to see how much you can write; sometimes, it is just to see if you can meet your goal at all. Sometimes, it is just from the sheer excitement of the idea that you can push yourself towards reaching a goal -- a goal that is usually within 30 days versus the types of goals that we set for ourselves to accomplish in a year, two years, or even five or ten years from now. It is a much easier accomplishment to obtain, one that you can receive gratification in this one month, rather waiting for the outcome that may or may not come to fruition in the future year(s).
If you are up for the challenge to practice your creative side of the brain, jump on in. Click on the photo below to their website and sign up today:
Camp NaNoWriMo Registration :)
If you choose not to do this challenge this time, make sure that you tickle your calendar to sign up the next time around.
