I was clearing out some old files from my computer, and I ran across a diary I kept a few years ago. It showed me that at least for me, keeping a diary is not helpful. It only records passing thoughts; it doesn’t reflect my real life. Why would I want to record thoughts and then look back on them and see them as meaningful?
P.S. I’d love for you to join my free Facebook group, the Mind Yoga Spa. Let’s have a relaxing conversation about dissolving stress and living life with more joy.
What a great observation Mary! I was cleaning a room the other day and came across a journal from the worst part of my life. As I read it-I thought some of the same things you mentioned. While that time was no fun, it certainly didn’t have to be what I was making it. As I think about this, it makes me wonder about positive thoughts or journaling. If the negative stuff has no meaning, then it would stand to reason that the positive stuff doesnt either. I had been thinking about starting a gratitude journal. That seemed a good way to train the mind to go to more positive places. Maybe I am wrong about that.
Hi Sabra: Thank you for this comment. This is just my opinion, but I see no point in journaling — gratitude or not. As you suggest, it seems counterproductive and keeps us in our thinking all the way around. We don’t need to train the mind; the mind is not where Truth lies. That’s in Mind, capital “M.” Doing anything with mind, small “m,” is like trying to make water run uphill.
The only reason I keep notes now is for book, coaching and program ideas, that sort of thing.
Hi Mary,
I don’t keep a journal or diary, but have in the past written to myself when in a low state of mind. When I would do this, it seemed to get the crazy thoughts out of my head, which would then make space for new, potentially better ones to flow through. For me, and perhaps for others, when I look back on the practice I can see that it was perhaps my wisdom having me do the writing.
While I agree that making your thoughts “real” by writing them down could potentially cause more harm than good, I wouldn’t dismiss the practice completely if it serves to clear your head.
I see what you’re saying, Jill. For me, it’s no longer useful to clear my head in that way — except to remember things I’d like to do the next day!