Does anyone here find that keeping a journal is helpful to coping with your everyday emotions and just coping with your body and problems? I've got a lot of stuff going on with my body right now, but I haven't actually seen a doctor yet. I've finally made the first step though. This afternoon I called to set up an appointment for my first physical in well over 10 years. Unfortunately, I had to leave a voicemail, but at least I finally reached out for help.
Anyway, I've been thinking about picking up a journal / notebook as a personal source of therapy starting within myself. Does anyone else keep a journal?
I think keeping a journal is a wonderful idea, has helped me through many tough times in my life. It's almost like a paper therapist I also like to put in inspirational quotes or songs that I can read whenever I need to. Be sure to date all your entries so you can see the progress you've made.
Journaling has helped me tremendously! Lately there have been lots of things going on in my life, and writing helps me out. What I write doesn't always make sense, but it helps me vent.
Good Luck!
Suzie
__________________ DX April 17, 2002
"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively.
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."
i have journaled all of my life, since highschool. it's been somewhat intermittent, but especially now with everything going on... well, i find it is a huge help to just get it all out. i've got composition books, sketch pads (i like to use them because it's nice heavy blank paper to write and rant on!) so far, my favorite journaling method is on the computer. i don't post online or anything, it's just a word file. but it keeps it in one place and i print it out and put it in a binder. periodically i sit down and go through my pages of writings... it's amazing to see the changes through the years.
i also have a section for song lyrics and quotes, etc. they can really inspire me or highlight how i am feeling at a given moment.
i also keep a dream journal; my last therapist and i worked on a lot of dream analysis. it's a really useful took that can give you tremendous insight into your subconsious. does any one here @sc dream journal? (ok, it's a pet topic of mine, can 'ya tell?)
with all my medical stuff going on, i record the subjective feelings in my journal and i have a separate set of files with my meds and weight and reactions to the meds. i just print it all out and take it w/me to the md.
journaling can be great therapy for you. do it however you feel like! buy some special pens, markers, paper and just get those emotions out! it's a great way to get rid of the negative energy!
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I have been journaling since junior high and do it almost every day. I can't tell you how much it's helped me! I definately recommend it to anyone and love to give out journals as gifts. I hope you find it gives you peace and helps with your emotions, I know that it has with mine!
Manders
__________________
Our baby Bryce Rylee could only stay 7 weeks and 5 days before going to meet Jesus to be one of His angels.
3-15-06
Our twin baby boys went to Heaven together 5-7-07
Gavin James and Brogan Ryker 19 weeks 3 days
They died and ended up saving my life. They are forever my heroes.
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I love journaling too!!!
It is so therapeutic and you can look back and see patterns, etc..
I always feel much better when I journal and sometimes I even write poetry in there.
I am thinking of a weight loss journal so I can help track my progress since my life is so hectic I can hardly remember things I might need later.
It will be fabulous to do for your health and you will be able to go through and pull from it when you go to the doctor b/c if you are like me you forget things when making a list of questions.
Try it, I think you'll like it.
Yes, it helps. I started keeping a journal over 1 year ago and it has helped me to cope with my miscarriage and dealing with infertility.
I have mine on-line through xanga. It is www.xanga.com. You can mark your messages as private, protected, or public. I have mine set as protected, which means only people that I say can view my journal have access to it. I have an on-line friend that I met on a support group for those that have lost a baby and we view one another's journals and write one another for support.
__________________ Janet (31) DH (41) ttc 7 years
Miscarriage 1/19/1999 at 10 weeks
Met ER 2000 mg daily HSG to be scheduled next cycle after af
Waiting on dh's SA results
Expecting to start Clomid after test results are in
Oh man, if it weren't for journalling I wouldn't have made it through my angsty adolescence. For me it was better than traditional therapy. I've kept a journal since 1987 and I'm still going strong. It does something for me that talk therapy doesn't... I think for me it's just the power of actually writing things down in print.
Rose hit on a good point with being able to look back and pick up on patterns in your life, be it "mental" or "physical" stuff. They are an invaluable resource in this respect for both you and your medical professionals. I'd probably still be mis-diagnosed as depressive if it weren't for all my journals clearly showing my mood swings.
__________________ Me (33)/Michael (3o) Together for almost nine long, happy years!
First PCOS dx: 1989 Supplements: One A Day Weight Smart, B Complex, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid (B5), B12, Saw Palmetto, Vit C, Vit D3, NAC, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium Piconolate, Cinnamon, Magnesium, EPO, Zinc Gluconate, Green Tea Diet: "Modified" Zone plan
"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her" -Anon.
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Journaling sounds like a great idea! I used to keep track of my few AF's to see how long they were in between, but as my PCOS progresses I can't remember when certain symptoms started, or when the matrialized more. You gave me a great idea! I plan to start......it'll be so much easier answering my GYN's questions....they always want dates for stuff.
__________________ Stephanie 30, DH 33, DS 11, DSS 14
Dx PCOS officially November 2003
Click below for a new PCOS board! All are welcome!
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Keeping a Journal 
I also like to put in inspirational quotes or songs that I can read whenever I need to. Be sure to date all your entries so you can see the progress you've made.
