Start documenting your daily emotions.
This process can go a long way to identifying people, experiences, and activities that you enjoy. It will also reveal the toxins in your life. You’ll identify the negative emotions that nag at you throughout the day and potentially see how your reactions to everyday life are affecting your mental stability.
This would be a great tool to identify things to discuss with a counselor if you have one. If you are in need of one, see our resources page for referrals.
Here a few things you should pay close attention to during this process:
- Do you find that negative emotions tend to linger for days on end? Are you a “Harper”?
- Are you experiencing more bad days than good? Is “meh” your normal mood?
- Do you find that you are either really happy or extremely sad? Is It hard to find balance?
- Do you find it hard to deal with your own emotions and feelings? Do you deflect?
- How often do you tell yourself that you shouldn’t feel this way about that “thing”?
Tips to start your Journal process:
- Write out your plan for the week. All of it. Work deadlines, kid’s activities, social gatherings, ministry commitments, even household chores. Write about how you feel tackling your list.
- Include something strictly for YOU.
- Get a buddy you are comfortable sharing with.
- Read your journals aloud the next day to yourself or your buddy.
What to write about:
- Write about what you THINK OR FEEL.
- Write about how you felt when you accomplished something.
- Take an assessment of your to-do list for the week, what would you have done differently; how or why? Write about it.
Try committing to writing in your journal for 21 days straight.
