Journaling Your Thoughts

Author: Alyice Edrich

Do you ever just write for the sake of writing? Do you ever write just to “think aloud” without worry that someone may judge you? Aside from verbally speaking to someone about your problems, your successes, or your feelings, writing is the best way to release what stirs within.

When used as a healing tool, journaling (writing in a journal) can help us:

work through suppressed or recent memories,
get a better perspective on specific circumstances,
express our love for others,
express our gratitude towards others,
express our anger towards others, and
express just about every emotion or feeling imaginable.

But what does one do with those words that really aren’t very nice? The ones we’ve written in our journals, in hopes no one ever sees? Do we really want to keep them lingering around the house to be found by another living soul? Or worse…the person we vented about? And is it wrong to think ugly thoughts about someone we love dearly?

The truth is that life is full of ups and downs and along the way, we find ourselves confronted with feelings we’re ashamed to admit we have. But if we don’t voice them and let them linger in our hearts, they’ll manifest themselves into all sorts of awful things: bitterness, depression, physical ailments, and worse—unwarranted lashing out on others.

But voicing our feelings to another person may not always be the best answer. Sometimes, we just need to find an outlet for our feelings: a way of expressing our feelings without hurting someone in the process. And journaling can do that.

You might be thinking, “But if I write them down, someone could see them! I couldn’t let someone see how I really feel about them or how ugly I can be, at times.”

And the truth is no one wants someone else to know their deepest, darkest secrets, let alone how they process their hurt, anger, or even their happiness. But we all rely on someone at one time or another, don’t we? Sometimes, a trusted confidante is the answer, and sometimes simply journaling through issues is the answer; either way, we run the risk of someone else finding out.

When it comes to journaling, we have to ask ourselves, what happens if we don’t allow ourselves the opportunity to work through our feelings? What will happen to our relationships? What will happen to our own, personal well-being?

If you’re worried someone might find your words to be offensive, hurtful, or ungodly, and you can’t bare someone else ever seeing what you’ve written, then write out your feelings, pray over your words, then shred or burn the papers you wrote on. You’ll not only feel better, but you can begin the healing process within your own heart.

Whether you decide to keep your thoughts forever, or discard them shortly after you've written them down, journaling can be a wonderful road to self-discovery and healing.