Paper & Pen Therapy: How Journaling Became a Favorite Form of Self-Expression

What a delicate way to talk more about my acquired form of therapy. I know as an INTROVERT, a base of me not having a way to articulately communicate which friend/s mistakenly reasoned of me not telling the truth (some sort of accusation) what I think in the first place is why I am helping myself to grasp whether a certain person is on a mask or a healthy contributor to well-being.

"Don't worry help is on the way." I tell myself. -....BREATHE....

And that is why I am stuck-neigh-addicted to this writing on my journal as a form of self-expression. I know there are times when eager to tell a friend (just one) all you need is that. Expressions, friends-(from others) how not to be detectable with lurking negative feelings of others towards myself and relay a mention of others close to them. I would love to just write it out on a journal. So, it is true others talk about others. Be it collectively or it involves only one person-which is towards me.

If this is you too, not stealing your thunder and popularity which is the true reverse opposite of me, I don't want my name to be discussed. Even if my presence is hauled in and myself have taken the bait. My peace, self worth, and time is unavailable for this kind of party.

I can play detective too, anybody can! And when someone look for in a calculating way with surgical precision the imperfections of others (which is not recommended), there you will find.

No, thank you.

Journaling=Self-Loving Expression

Putting feelings on paper or this case a notebook or journal is actually an act of kindness. You are giving self permission to exist without fixes, critique, and the guilt of- you have offended someone with your share of commentary (the truth they asked for). You baby are in the hot seat, spot because you are in standing position.

And maybe it happens too many to count.

At that point you see a pattern. Loss all moral dignity to be peaceable and graceful. I know my English is bad maybe also to them because I don't understand why care, why ask for, or talk about only to find out similarly to getting you caught of guard. In a way of,

Others: "How would you say it?" "What do you think?" "1+1=11?" "You....(a question, audibly said in a form of statement)."

Me: _________??!? (confusion-Given their ages standing in front of you?)

I think they want a solution to the problem? Wait, what is the problem? It would benefit them and me? Like mandating one-sided acceptance. Anxiousness creeps in. It is still considered small talk. Go on spill the beans, Kay! (just saying not saying). That is why my reply is not heard by them.

Smile and then leave. That is a viable solution.

The outcome of it is, try a "therapy list" format on a journal page to spice things up. I know for me this is a new idea. Because even when I write after that encounter, and all these confusion is in my head. My battered thoughts can't even be mend at that point in time. Glad this idea prompt is in a form of list.

"Do not make the mistake of being always forgiving, that you overlooked the fact that you are being disrespected."

Then you can be creatively authentic + honesty = the best medicine (including laughter). This is the blow that pacify all things for I expressed whatever I thought of when encountered by micro-attacks of that sort of kind-JOURNALING.

What you can do to be more creative is treat the first page like a "welcome home" mat. You start writing about this day's happy, sad, maladies, song, annoyance, hope. And add art or anything creative.

It will ease your turmoiled self and you did not know how time flies by fast that you have relinquished all hurt within yourself with a page or pages of no critics zone.

Then repeat again if there's another trigger. Then release in writing.

While this therapy is not limited to writing creatively, you can be creative in the ambience of surroundings. Like lighting a candle. This signals to your brain this is safe space.

Therapy Lists & Prompts That Don't Sound Like Therapy (Auntie-approved)

This is another of journaling prompt that is not traditional. Well, maybe it is. I might just have not known and when reading this is a form of journaling format. The "Fix-It-Not" List.

Words can heal, words can also destroy.

By writing what you wish someone had said to you, then stop. No action needed, no pleading and explanation.

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Some form of prompt is this too. Oh my goodness, we're on the roll. And this is also creative. Three- minute brain dump.

Set a timer, write everything, then close the book when times up. You've emptied the suitcase for the day.

And you can go on in your life. You have accomplished at least one therapeutic task.

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When you give someone a compliment or have received one yourself. A commendation. Volunteering in helping others don't you just love that feeling? I would. Discussing the topic of being authentic.

This prompt shakes things up. Reverse gratitude (the honest list).

List things that annoyed you, then beside each put one small way to soothe that annoyance. Do you see how beneficial it is to be kind and considerate? You go back to the roots of how you we're taught as a child by your parents.

*See free printable files for mini prompts for the "Fix-It-Not" list. And mini prompts Reverse Gratitude files. Click the link below to be taken to the page.

Click Me

How to Use Your Journal When You Don't Have a Safe Friend (Been there, wrote that)

For all we know it is hard to maneuver another unfriendly predicament between friends. When having a heart ready to do it again but only to be falling into deep chasm of the unknown but lurking familiarity. I know well from experience.

It has been a pattern that I grew a deafening ear. Turning the other cheek. Only the Creator who is the one who knows the very being of me can understand.

But for the sake of this article we wont discuss because we have other times for that.

Write the tough stuff first-then write the comforting reply. It is like a conversation between an actual friend or a parent. When the person conversating with you say, "I have good news!" and you say in reply, " I have bad news." One of you, "you go first."

So to put in on a nutshell, it is like writing both sides of a phone call you wished you'd had.

By no means, protect the pages of your journal like house keys. Keep the words private. Your journal is not gossip fodder; it is your witness. Even when someone coerced you to relay what is in it. Do not succumb.

Keep quiet of giving hints about the contents of this notebook. So not to encourage and peak people's interest to question about things you write for confidentiality to self.

Make it like you have covenant with this journal and sealed with a signature.

Here's a kicker to practice manifesting your silence. Use the "Do Not Repeat" rule. Say what you need in the page, then close the book. You keep what heals; you don't weaponize it.

It is okay to write things you'll never read aloud. The silence is a kind dignity.

A helpful technique: write a letter to "Future You" with instructions for kindness. Then put it a few pages back so you can find it on hard days when you just need a little push gauging how you've come this far.

Rituals, Boundaries, and the Little Rules That Make Journaling Work

When getting used to journal, set a 5-minute 'start' ritual-make it tiny: place the pen, fold a page corner, breathe. This part of little rituals are adding to your (Zen) calm. Consistency works with inspiration and progress.

An important thing to fulfill make it a point to have boundaries. I prefer the best practice you and your journal are sworn the secrecy to not tell. It is classified to you. So make a point, you see this is a better option. No one sees it.

Missed days are okay; pick up where you are, not where you think you should be. Turn pages into practice, not punishment.

Dedicate an "accounting page" once a month: one line for joys, one for lessons, one silly line (like-"todays best kitchen hack") the more you are detailed the more you can alternate prompt adding to a lively authenticity of your journal.

And no we are not boring. Not around here!

The combination trains your brain to notice both wins and growth. And yes-tape in a receipt, a pet hair (don't worry it is not unusual), or a pressed snack wrapper. These little artifacts are memory anchors.

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“To the friend/s who treated my trust like carry-on luggage and forgot — honey, you missed your flight. I checked out early, upgraded to peace, and the coffee at the gate is much better anyway.”

P.S. Your boarding pass is still under my ‘kindness’ tab. I kept the receipt. You weren’t on the guest list.

You don’t need a crowd to be a whole person. Your pages are company that never gaslights you, never plans a critique party, and always lets you leave without drama. Journaling for self-expression is not decoration — it’s scaffolding. It holds you while you build the life you want. Even without friends who doesn't match your personality, upbringing, and ideas to have happiness and love to root it all. Too much weight will bring the scaffolding down. Don't let it sprawl like wildfire and ruin a fine reputation as we all are responsible contributors for good towards others not a micro-managing way. We still need the distance--not the familiarity and critics.