Journaling For Trauma Recovery
Trauma recovery
A daily meditation practice helped me with trauma recovery until it didn’t. In late November 2023, I had the flu, and because of excessive coughing, I stopped meditating. In early January, I was finally over that bout of flu, only to catch another virus, which led to two rounds of antibiotics for a lung infection. I took antibiotics three other times last year. Meditation became too hard for me.
I leaned heavily on my journal. I opened up and poured out my heart in a much deeper way. I gained insight about myself. A longing to go deeper in my journaling practice started swirling within me a month ago. I began writing like a madwoman in my 360-page blue journal with three ribbon markers.
The Books That Help Me Journal
Last week, a book about journal writing showed up in my Kindle library. I had forgotten that I pre-ordered it in February until I saw it in my library. I immediately read the first chapter and realized it had essays and journal prompts for 100 days. The book The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life, by Suleika Jaouad, presented the perfect opportunity to deepen my journal practice.
In the first chapter, Jaouad mentioned the author Julia Cameron. I Googled her name and found a Kindle version of her book, Living the Artist’s Way: An Intuitive Path to Greater Creativity. I noticed it was only $1.99 last week (it has since increased in price), so I bought it and read the introduction. Similar to Jaouad’s book, this book has daily essays and journal prompts.
I started reading The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be by Mark Nepo a few weeks ago. At the end of each short chapter, he included a journal prompt. Until yesterday, I ignored them. The book resonated with me from the first page, and the prompts now do, too.
Journaling As Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is simply awareness of the present moment. As a trauma survivor, that awareness includes my emotions. If I feel a strong emotion, I grab my journal and write it down. I note where I feel the emotion. I ask myself, “Where is this coming from?” I scribble down what comes to mind.
I decided last week to write eight pages a day. I break them up into three units: three pages in the morning or afternoon, two in the evening, and three before bed. The practice seemed daunting at first. There’s nothing like the tyranny of the blank page.
I may wobble for a few seconds when I look at a blank page in my journal, but I quickly start writing what comes to mind. Sometimes, I write, “I don’t know what to write about.” Then, a topic comes to mind, and I scribble away. I’m not used to stream-of-consciousness writing. It always seemed like a practice just out of reach of my ADHD brain. I’m pleasantly surprised that it’s easy.
Journal Prompts
If you are an avid journal writer or want to start journaling, here are some prompts to get you started:
What are you feeling? Where do you feel it in your body?
Do you think you’re enough? If not, why not?
How does past trauma affect your daily life?
If you’re ready, join me in writing at least three pages a day. Use the prompts to get started. Leave a heart in the comments section if you’re joining me.
