Day 17 Dialogue Journaling

[rowan51]

Could anyone share some tips on how to use the dialogue journaling technique effectively?

When I try to write a dialogue, I often can't think of what either side would say. Should I write the conversation in a way that both I and the other person openly express our emotions?

Also, the program says we can choose any person, body part, or entity as the dialogue partner. If I choose a body part, is it okay to make the dialogue partner the part of my body where I experience my TMS symptoms?

One of my current sources of stress is "my future." If I choose my future as the dialogue partner, I honestly have no idea how to use the dialogue technique in that situation.

I'd really appreciate any advice or examples from people who have found this technique helpful. Thank you!

 

[Cactusflower]

Hi @rowan51
Welcome.
Firstly I noticed you tried to complete two "days" lessons in a short time. My suggestion is to slow down. Do one lesson per day MAXIMUM to experience the greatest benefit of the SEP. Our minds, when caught in the TMS cycle are often prone to rushing, pushing and trying to get symptom free in a rush and things just don't work that way. Slowing down, moving gently and taking time is much more beneficial. I speak from experience!

I think it's EXCELLENT to try and dialogue with your symptomatic body part, or with "the future". DO IT!

Hi Leg, how are you today? (Leg answers)
If that's how you are doing, how does that make you feel right now? (Leg answers which could be sad, angry or even "I don't know, I'm a leg, I don't know how I feel") I don't know is still an answer.
Leg, sometimes I don't know how I feel either. I know I SENSE the pain you are in, but I am just so exhausted over it, I don't know how I feel. Maybe I feel flat, and just blah. (Leg answers: Oh, I don't feel blah, I feel like doing nothing at all because I hurt so much. It's a good day to crash on the couch with a movie).
Oh, Leg, I get you. Sometimes I just want to hide under a blanket on the couch too. Get away from the world and be in my own little world. Do you ever get caught up in your own head, Leg?

etc.....

As for future: start where you are at with the future:

Dear Future: I can't ask how you are today because you are not here today. I can't ask how you are tomorrow because nobody knows how they are when it's not today, I mean not even the future can project the future, right? So I'm going to tell you how I am today. I am scared sh*less of you. It's not that I don't like you. I mean I think of you all the time. You're in my mind constantly.....
So now I've told you what I think, what do you think?

there are but two examples. If you find dialogue writing really difficult, you don't have to follow the lesson to a "T" - I think that if you decide this form of writing doesn't resonate with you, you can still do the lesson with another form of journaling style. Perhaps write a letter to your chosen body part. They may end up writing a letter back to you tomorrow. Or you can write a letter to the future. The unsent letters often resonate with people on this forum.

Good luck!