I don’t want to journal

[Click#7]

@Ewok2 I have definitely seen people recover with minimal or no journaling. It is possible. The research on expressive writing shows that 2-3 sessions of 20 minutes can have an impact on your physical and mental health that lasts for years. I think a lot of people worry that they will have to journal every day for the rest of their lives, which is just not true for most people.

I have also seen people get very overwhelmed by the journaling exercises in a way that's counterproductive (particularly those with severe trauma, past sexual abuse, or PTSD). In these cases, the journaling CAN still be helpful, you just need to create a safe environment to do it in. I always recommend these people bring the exercises to a professional therapist and do it DURING a therapy session so that someone is there to help you process what came up.

I had the chance to interview John Evans, who is the co-author of "Expressive Writing: Words That Heal." His other co-author is Jamie Pennebaker, who has done the bulk of the research that's out there on expressive writing. Perhaps listening to the interview will help you figure out what to do next. You can find it here.

One thing he said that stands out to me is "reluctant writers often have the most to gain by writing."

Laura keep posting more interviews here. I enjoyed all of them straight from the heart. Thank u.

 

[balto]

I don't know what journaling is until I move to the US. In my community (South East Asia) we don't journal. None of the people I know that recovered from tms used journal, including me. In the US I've seen quite a few people got worse instead of getting better when they did journal. Somehow they just re-lived all those bad memories and their symptoms got worse. Many people just don't know how to process all those information. they just digging their brain and tried to bring back as many bad events, traumas... as they can, and then they suffered more.
Laura's advice above is great, you should employ the help of an pro therapist if you don't know how. The goal is expose yourself to those memories and realize that they can no longer hurt us. They are the past, let forgive, forget and move on. We are stronger now, we are safe now....
Buddhism is dominant in my culture. It's teaching emphasize living in the present, the now. Living mindfully in the moment. We try not to let our mind going to the past or the future. Those places are full of fear, regret, and anger, which is not good for us.

“Trust no future, however pleasant! Let the dead past bury its dead! Act - act in the living Present! Heart within and God overhead.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

[Ewok2]

@Ewok2 I have definitely seen people recover with minimal or no journaling. It is possible.

However, the research on expressive writing shows that 2-3 sessions of 20 minutes can have an impact on your physical and mental health that lasts for years. I think a lot of people worry that they will have to journal every day for the rest of their lives, which is just not true for most people.

I have also seen people get very overwhelmed by the journaling exercises in a way that's counterproductive (particularly those with severe trauma, past sexual abuse, or PTSD). In these cases, the journaling CAN still be helpful, you just need to create a safe environment to do it in. I always recommend these people bring the exercises to a professional therapist and do it DURING a therapy session so that someone is there to help you process what came up.

I had the chance to interview John Evans, who is the co-author of "Expressive Writing: Words That Heal." His other co-author is Jamie Pennebaker, who has done the bulk of the research that's out there on expressive writing. Perhaps listening to the interview will help you figure out what to do next. You can find it here.

One thing he said that stands out to me is "reluctant writers often have the most to gain by writing."

Thanksgiving Laura, that is helpful. I purchased the Curable app the other day and am loving it.

 

[Un0wut2du]

I don’t like journaling. I read about others getting so much out if it but I feel a strong urge not to do it.

Do you think this means it’s just not the method for me or is that my sneaky brain trying to put me off a method of getting in touch with emotions?

Doesn't sound sneaky at all. Sounds like a very conscience effort to avoid tough emotional work.