If you read my earlier post you know I’ve been trying to get away from the Internet and all its distractions. In truth, it hasn’t really been that difficult to opt out of the doomscroll (or whatever you want to call it).
I enjoy being less angry after reading absurd bullshit online so I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. I do go on Instagram, or other socials, occasionally but the amount of time has been reduced drastically. I think it’s improved my outlook and general mental health.
Another thing that’s improved my outlook and general mental health is writing in a journal. It’s been over a month now and I’ve been writing every night before bed instead of looking at my phone or iPad. Over thirty days . . . in a row. Gold star for me.
My journal isn’t anything formal and I don’t really follow any set pattern. It’s more like I open it and just start rambling about things I’m thinking about. Good, bad, sad, angry, happy whatever . . . it all goes in there. I also find it particularly good when I’m angry or upset about something. I write it down and get it out of my head.
I actually feel better after doing it. I think keeping that stuff inside isn’t great for you and I don’t always want to talk about it or expose my family or friends to any of it, so getting it out on paper is a good form of self therapy for me.
Of course, I’m not saying actual therapy is bad or not helpful. It’s absolutely helpful. This is just what I’m doing now and it seems to be working, Also, I’m not having super dark thoughts or anything, I just get angry or frustrated or sad sometimes. We all do. Perfectly normal, especially given the circumstances of the world right now.
Why am I talking about this? Well, if you’ve read this far (thank you, btw) I’m talking about this because it might be of benefit to you too. If you’re having “thoughts” or “Thoughts” with a capital ‘T’ it might help to get them out of your head by writing them down.
You don’t ever have to go back and read what you wrote and the journal can just be for you. It can be your private place to say all the stuff you want to say in any way you want to say it.
Please keep in mind I’m not a mental health professional and if you’re in need of help, please seek it from a professional. They can help you and they sincerely do want to help. Please allow them to do so.
That said, writing things down has been very helpful to me. I’ve done it enough so its become a habit I actually look forward to. I’ve even expanded to writing in the mornings as well. What the kids call “morning pages.”
I dump out all the things from the night (dreams, thoughts, whatever) and plan (in some detail) what I’m going to try to accomplish during the day. It’s not a strict plan, more of an outline. Still, it seems to help me focus more during the day and get more stuff done.
The other takeaway here is just to do your best. Don’t get upset with yourself if you miss a day or if you don’t think you have anything to write. There’s been more than one occasion where I’ve just written “I don’t have anything to write today” several times in a row until other stuff finally starts to flow.
I’m fortunate having nothing to say doesn’t happen to me very often. I’ve never really had what people call “writers block.” Just lucky I guess.
But it’s important not to be scared of it happening or be frustrated if it does. Just do your best. Try just writing literally whatever. As long as the pen or pencil is moving, that’s good. And if still nothing comes, put the journal away and come back to it later in the day. It’s okay.
I hope you give this a try and I hope it works as well for you as it has for me. Best of luck. You’ve got this.
And as always, be kind to each other. We need that now more than ever.
