So often, if you're feeling so many things, you might not have a lot of options on where to turn. Not family. Not friends. And if you're not currently in therapy, your options are even further limited. So what do you do?
Keep a journal. Journaling is a very helpful tool when you have limited options. It's something that is right at your fingertips.
So why is keeping a journal so helpful? When you don't have any other outlets to let out your feelings, frustrations, and emotions, keeping a journal is essential to survival. For times when I get especially angered or frustrated by my NX (or anyone, really), I write in my journal. Doing so prevents me from blowing up in anger at those closest to me, like my now-husband or my mom. One time, I wrote over 4 pages (front AND back) worth of anger towards my NX. When I was done, I put the journal away. After regular practice with keeping a journal, it will become second nature. You will come to think of it as a way to release all the pent up emotions inside that the Narcissist always chastised you for. Keeping a journal is especially helpful if you need to think something through. Maybe you want to leave the Narcissist, but you have so much fear about it. Writing in your journal would help you with the logistics.....the how's and why's, as well as the pros and cons. In conjunction with the above reason, journaling also provides a way for us to look back and realize that we can solve problems that plague us. And perhaps the most important reason to keeping a journal? It will help you track your emotional progress. It may feel like you are taking so many steps back if you write about anger and bitterness. But in reality, if you begin journaling even when you are still with the Narcissist and continue after the Narc, you will see differences. The differences may be slight at first. Like a small shift in your demeanor in your writing. Maybe it's that you paid yourself a compliment in one journal entry. Perhaps you will see yourself becoming more positive over time. Keeping a journal is a gateway to healing from Narcissistic and Emotional Abuse. "Dr. James Pennebaker, author of Writing to Heal has seen improved immune function in participants of writing exercises. Stress often comes from emotional blockages, and overthinking hypotheticals. He explains, 'When we translate an experience into language we essentially make the experience graspable.' And in doing so, you free yourself from mentally being tangled in traumas."
I look back on some of my journal entries and see how in some of them I am negative or depressed. In some of them, I am very angry and bitter. Then, in later entries, I see that I am more reflective and free.
Do you keep a journal? What has been the most helpful thing about it? Comment below. And as always, I appreciate you for sharing your stories with me.
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Greetings, my warrior survivor friends! Welcome to my blog. I'm Julianna Jen, the owner and creator of this site. Check out the My Story section to read about why I started this blog. Thanks for stopping in. And feel free to comment on any post, share your own thoughts and stories. I would love to hear from you! Archives
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