3 Ways to Harness the Healing Power of Writing in a Journal

Many people underestimate the power of personal writing. You may have already experienced the healing power of keeping a journal, but you might not know there are a few different writing techniques that could help you mend a broken heart, recover from physical injuries faster, or provide peace after a traumatic situation.

Resolving deep embedded sentiments and confusion with a blank journal may turn out to be daunting unless you know which method to use.

Let’s look at three key ways to mend a broken psyche using journaling:

Freewriting

Dumping what’s on your mind into a journal within a preset time limit, is called freewriting.

Freewriting is used to disclose a lot about the state you are in. It works by getting all your thoughts out on paper and then acquiring perspective on the factors that may be obscuring your judgment. It helps to understand your emotions better, and where they are coming from.

Start freewriting by setting a time limit, ideally 10 to 15 minutes. Keep writing continuously for that duration whatever comes to your mind.

When the time is up, review what you have written. Look out for insights like, What has been affecting you? What should you focus on? Do you need external help? Should you operate differently?

If you realize that this exercise has not been adequate, reset the timer and start again. Repeat until you gain actionable clarity. You will also find that your stress has reduced.

Worst Case Scenario Journaling

We often fear what could be. The thoughts of unknown things that could happen and affect us adversely take up so much room in our minds that we brood and ruminate. The irony is that most of these things will never happen, and we can handle a fraction of things that do occur.

Worst Case Scenario Journaling helps prevent unnecessary worrying. It stops the mind from spiraling into thinking about catastrophes. It checks compulsive behaviors and confronts fear. It empowers you by giving you clarity on your strengths.

Start by writing what you are worried about. Then ask: what if it happens? Keep digging deeper by asking this question repeatedly until you arrive at the root fear.

You will discover that no matter what happens, you can handle it.

Love Response

The illusion of inadequacy is something most people struggle with. Such feelings originate from the way a child was treated in the formative years.

Love response helps in stopping the cycle of self-loathing. It enables you to feel satiated by making you respond to your inner child more lovingly.

It is used to change the way in which you talk to yourself. It increases your feelings of self-esteem, purpose, and worth. It builds authentic self-love and self-compassion.

Start by freewriting and identify what’s going on. Respond to the issues with love and tenderness in ways you would treat your inner child. In this way, you give yourself the limitless love and support you had hoped to receive from others.

For more information on the connection between keeping a journal and a peaceful mind, check out our blog post on how journaling improves your mental health.

How do you use your journal to heal? Do you find that it brings you peace?