"𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆." Journaling for Anxiety and Mindset Shifts

Journaling for Anxiety and Mindset Shifts

"𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆."   I often heard myself say this statement whenever I would get a creative idea, need to vent or pour unexplicable emotions into one of my collection of unique and pretty journals or notebooks. (you could call it one of my hobbies - notebook and journal collecting)

A few years ago, I found myself in the midst of depression and my body was feeling the effects of contstantly under the demands of being a high performer, and working in a solo health care position, with unique skills in my area. The high performing, eventually resulted in...... high functioning anxiety. (Hello! trauma responses.)

Journaling for Mindset Shifts

I lived with the signs and symptoms for years because I was able to manage daily activities, but I suffered alone, in silence. I lost my hair in localized areas (alopecia areata), I struggled with disrupted sleep patterns, palpitations, digestive issues, and the list goes on. To everyone around me, I was fine. But on the inside I was living in misery.

I remember wondering why I was so overwhelmed with unpleasant feelings and emotions that I could normally “handle” previously.  Then it hit me.  "𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆." This is not just your everyday work and life stress. This is unprocessed emotions coming to the surface when I being activated by a situation that leads into a trauma response.

Writing was an outlet for me as a child and all through my adult years.... up until somewhere around my late 30s at least.

I stopped. I don't know exactly when or why this happened, but I wasn't writing anymore.  I was a writer from as far back as I can remember

Journaling was an outlet I could always depend on to "𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘵".  The things I couldn't say out loud could be dumped onto a page inside a book with a pretty cover.  I liked to call it my "brain dump".  And you know what? It worked!

So, if you have been feeling a little more anxious lately or you feel depression starting to creep in, why not start, re-start, or continue journaling?  What have you got to lose? (not professional medical advice here, by no means) Just a simple, heart-led, mind calming method of coming back to self when the world gets heavy.

It is a self-love, self-care, self-therapeutic practice that can help you face those emotions or feelings that are gnawing at you that you may not be able to, or are not ready to discuss with anyone else. Don't forget to do some breathing afterwards, especially if it is something that may be uncomfortable to remember. Maybe, save it and give your counsellor or therapist a copy if it is something that is difficult for you to speak about but writing makes it "easier".

It feels good to get it out and down on paper. To acknowledge what those feelings or emotions are, and then recognize that you are in control of it all!  

Journaling has also been a great practice for me to change my mindset from negative to positive, or from anxiety and fear into facts and reality. It doesn't have to be only for writing down your negative feelings or emotions.  If I wake with anxiety or a not so great mood, it can also be a form of positivity.  

Start your day by writing down 3- 5 things you are grateful for and watch how your days are more positive even if there are sprinkles of negative situations throughout.  It helps change your mindset first thing in the morning and prepare you for a better mental state to take on the day.

Does this resonate with you?  

#selfcare #braindump #gratitude #mindsetshifts #journallngforanxiety #anxietyrelief #stressreductiontips #journalyourgratitude