Journaling is a great way to process your emotions, reflect on your experiences, and track your progress over time. But for some people, journaling can be difficult or even impossible. This is especially true for people who have experienced childhood trauma.
I know this from personal experience. When I was a kid, I had a journal where I would write about my thoughts and feelings. I would write about the good things in my life, but I would also write about the bad things. One day, my mother found my journal and read it. She got very angry with me for writing about the negative aspects of my life. She said that I was being ungrateful and that I should only write about the good things.
I was devastated. I felt betrayed and ashamed. I never wrote in my journal again.
It’s been many years since that happened, heck it has been decades, but I still can’t bring myself to journal. I’m afraid that someone will read my journal and get angry with me. I’m also afraid of what I might find if I start writing again. I know that journaling would be good for me. It would help me to process my childhood trauma and to move on with my life. My therapist has suggested I do it, make an attempt.
I have come across so many videos and posts on Instagram showing people being absolutely amazing creative in their journals, and some have the books from years. I keep dreaming of getting to that level, but nope not yet~ I pick up a book and pen, think about writing my thoughts and i am gripped with nightmare level fears and I shit the book right there… On the other hand, I am able to write here on my Blog~
Infact, even recently my partner gifted me a journal book but all I have managed so far is pen down words based on what is going through my mind. I have it in a lovely box, with colour pens and stickers all sitting unused.
If like me you’re struggling to journal because of a childhood trauma, here are a few things you can do:
- Be patient with yourself. It takes time to heal from childhood trauma. Don’t force yourself to journal if you’re not ready.
- Talk to a therapist or counsellor. They can help you to process your trauma and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Find other ways to express yourself. There are many other ways to process your emotions and reflect on your experiences, such as through art, music, or dance.
Remember, you are not alone. Many people struggle to journal because of childhood trauma. There is no shame in asking for help.
Here are some additional tips I found through friends and my therapist for getting back to journaling:
- Start small. Don’t feel like you have to write a lot at once. Start by writing for just a few minutes each day.
- Write about whatever you want. There are no rules when it comes to journaling. You can write about your thoughts, feelings, experiences, or anything else that comes to mind.
- Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Journaling is for you, not for anyone else. No one needs to see your journal, so don’t worry about making it perfect.
- If you start to feel overwhelmed, stop writing. There is no need to force yourself to continue.
- Find a journaling method that works for you. There are many different ways to journal. You can write in a notebook, on your computer, or even on your phone. You can also try journaling prompts or using a guided journal.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. It may take some time to get back into the habit of journaling. But it’s worth it. Journaling can be a powerful tool for healing and growth.
Are you into journalling? How is it going?
