On her 12th birthday, Anne Frank was given a typical gift for 12-year-olds; a diary full of blank pages waiting to be filled. While this diary would then go on to be one of the most popular journals ever written, it was also one of Anne’s closest allies. Through her diary, we saw Anne Frank having the same thoughts and dreams as every other teenage girl. Something magnificent and normal amidst an incredibly dark time.
A journal is a place to share your goals, thoughts, and battles. As you go on to fight your own difficulties on your road to recovery, your journal will be one of your most valuable allies. Here are a few reasons why we, at Mallard Lake Detox Center, think you should start your recovery journal today:
Writing Takes Time to Sit With Your Thoughts
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you’ll miss it.”
-Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Sitting down and writing a thought can be hard, especially if it’s a painful one. But the real work is going through the journey where that thought takes you. After committing to it, you’ll be surprised at the results and how rewarding it can be.
Your Journal Gets Your Thoughts Out of Your Head
Psychotherapy and group therapies are effective because they bring out thoughts from your head into a physical place of non-judgment. This is also the reason why a journal is very helpful for your journey to recovery. You can take it anywhere, unlike your group or therapist.
When you’re alone, deep thoughts seem to swarm one’s mind. But with a notepad, computer, or phone, you can pour that emotion onto a physical space. Once it’s out, you can read it when and where you want to. You can even take it to your therapy sessions where you can discuss those thoughts and work on a way to resolve them.
Write to Record Your Journey to Recovery
Reading your journal entries gives you insight into your triggers and helps you challenge your cognitive distortions. It is also a gift to your future self once you read all the hardships and difficulties you have faced. Then you will see that all you’ve been through makes your recovery more beautiful and worth it.
Create a Collection of Wise Words
Your thoughts aren’t the only things you can write in your journal. You can collect quotes from movies, tv, songs, and even memes, as long as you feel a connection to them.
Journal to Help Heal Your Brain
What makes treatment hard is that your brain will have to find new ways to deal with life without the substance you have used. As you recover, your brain will work tirelessly to repair the damages you incurred. With a journal, you can help your brain heal as you combine thoughts with something physical such as holding a pen or typing on a keyboard. Just think of it as kicking your brain cells back into gear.
What Should I Use to Document My Recovery?
The thing about writing a journal is that you can use various things to record your journey: your computer, your phone, a recorder, or a pen and notebook. However, some experts insist that the physical act of writing on paper challenges your brain differently than with digital interactions.
Whatever you choose to use for your journal, we wish that you start your recovery process now. If you are from Fort Worth, or Dallas, TX, you can contact our team at Mallard Lake Detox Center. We will be more than happy to assist you.