Journaling is a powerful practice that can benefit our mental health and wellbeing, but there are a few pitfalls to avoid. In this post, we’ll uncover the hidden dangers of journaling.
In times of stress, change, illness, loss, or sadness a journal is the perfect place to find solace. We can write out all of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that flow through us and make sense of it all.
A journal can help bring us calm, comfort, peace, and greater self-awareness.
But, as with most practices, there’s a dark side. There are a few pitfalls inherent in journaling that need to be carefully considered and navigated successfully.
Let’s explore them now.
Reinforcing the negative
Your journal can often be a dumping ground for all of the negative thoughts, feelings and emotions that you can’t release elsewhere. And while it’s better to get them all out, there’s a small risk that you reinforce negative patterns by writing them down each day.
If you’re particularly anxious, depressed or prone to ruminating, a journal may be just another space you use to focus on the negatives and feed self-destructive thoughts. Many people are stuck in a vicious cycle of negative thinking and struggle to break free from it by themselves.
Your character will reveal itself through journaling and, over time, you will build self-awareness. This is an important step in improving your mental health, so work through it (with help if you need) until you can see the patterns in front of you. You’ll then be able to make some positive changes to the way you think and write.
Perfectionism
Over thinking, over planning, over optimisation. Many ‘perfectionists’ just can’t stop themselves from over doing things. And that includes journaling.
If you’re guilty of perfectionism and your journal has become another source of anxiety/obsessiveness, it’s wise to let go. One must learn to embrace a chaotic and inconsistent journal.
Your journal should have a sense of freedom, playfulness, curiosity and exploration. It should reflect the diversity of thoughts, feelings and emotions you experience throughout your life. On the surface it may make little sense, but when you step back you’ll see intricate patterns that connect everything.
Disappointment
Many people who come to journaling, or mindfulness, are looking for a quick fix. They’ve been suffering with fear, anxiety and depression for so long that that they’ve reached the point of desperation.
But journaling isn’t it. Journaling is a helpful practice, with many health benefits, but a quick fix it is not. It won’t change your mind, or your life overnight.
Those who expect too much, in too little time, are pretty disappointed with journaling and usually quit before they reap the rewards.
Journaling, like any other mindfulness practice takes time and patience. It should be used as part of an overall holistic lifestyle, that includes breathwork, exercise, diet, nature and deep sleep. And it should be practiced over the long term.
Conclusion
Journaling is a great way find quiet, focus the mind and express thoughts, feelings and emotions that you would otherwise be uncomfortable expressing. It is a powerful practice that has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.
There are, however, a few hidden dangers that you should be aware of, which include, reinforcing negative patterns, perfectionism and disappointment.
In order to avoid these pitfalls it helps to re-read and review your journal. Build your self-awareness and self-image. Look for connections that make sense out of the chaos, and find solutions to your own personal challenges.
Think of journaling as a long term practice that fits in with an overall holistic lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be perfectly written or organised, just illustrative of what’s happening in your life.
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