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journaling
Journaling is one self-care practice caregivers can utilize to connect within. This ritual becomes a personal record of your observations and experiences. It is your choice whether you share your writings or not. Most caregivers keep their journal private to ensure they have a safe place to vent about the specific difficulties they face.
Some caretakers prefer a blank journal to free write, which means writing whatever comes into your head without censoring it. Others prefer a journal with prompted questions specific to a topic of interest to them. You can purchase journals online for energy healing or caregiving. Inside you will find questions and suggestions to guide you. Often those who are not as comfortable with writing, prefer a prompted method. No matter what kind of journal you use, it is a relatively inexpensive way to reduce and manage daily stress.
You do not have to be a writer, to journal your thoughts and feelings. It is your decision if you express yourself in bullet points, short sentences or complete paragraphs. Others may feel more at ease drawing pictures or shapes with words or phrases inside.
The Benefits of Writing for Caregivers
1. Convenience and Freedom
There are many reasons caregivers find value in journaling. The number one advantage is convenience. As a caregiver, your time is precious and packed full of responsibilities. Many people find freedom in choosing when and where to write because there are no rules. This means you can journal while waiting at a doctor’s appointment for the person you care for or while he or she is asleep.
2. You will increase self-awareness
Writing forces you to slow down and pay attention to what is going on in your life. As you connect within to the forgotten parts of yourself, you discover healing and hope. The page will not judge you and gives you ample room to explore. By acknowledging the emotional hurts, you decrease anxiety and depression.
As you maintain your journal, you can look at previous entries and notice certain patterns in your life. These may appear as ongoing issues or conflicts. Keep writing and read your thoughts, you may find a solution for a long withstanding problem.
As you connect to the present moment, you become empowered to make healthier choices. You will begin to notice sooner when your body aches or how hungry or thirsty you are.
3. Writing helps you express your thoughts and feelings into words
Writing is not only creative but also therapeutic. This tool can be cathartic by releasing pent up feelings of anger, resentment, fear, sadness and jealousy. As a caregiver, you are outwardly focused on how others feel. Often you ask; what can I do to make you feel better? In order to refill your cup, you need to turn some of that compassionate focus around.
- Ask these questions to yourself daily;
- How am I feeling?
- What do I need and want?
4. Journaling helps you develop a plan to protect and maintain your energy
Writing helps increase your understanding of what maintains and depletes your energy. As an empathic helper, it is important to learn how to protect your energies from people, places and situations. There are numerous ways to set boundaries and limits. Once you find what works for you, implement these strategies into your daily schedule.
As you write, think about what gives you energy and fuels your passion. Use your journal to write about all you accomplish in a day, what you are grateful for and what is good about you as a person. When you experience a tough day, look back on these and remember there are brighter days ahead. Not all caregiving is bad or difficult. There are positive memories, moments of laughter and triumphs (no matter how small they may be). Record these good moments in your journal.
How do I get started?
- Get a journal and a pen to write with- Purchase a prompted journal or blank one, along with a writing instrument.
- Next create solitude- Give yourself ten minutes a day of alone time. This could be when you wake up or before you go to bed.
- Now you have created a time and space to journal, there are no restrictions. Write about whatever you like each day, even briefly. Remember, you can speak what is on your mind but there is a certain power in seeing your truth in the written word.