Journaling Can Help You with Divorce Emotions

 Posted on August 05, 2019 in Divorce

Divorce can create negative emotions that need an appropriate outlet. It is unhealthy to let anger, anxiety or depression fester inside of you, but you should not unleash them on family and friends or during your divorce negotiations. Support groups or physical activities are good outlets for some people. For others, writing down their thoughts in a private journal helps them safely express their feelings. Here are four pointers if you decide to write a divorce journal:

1. Keep the Journal to Yourself: This is a journal for yourself and not a blog. You are more likely to be truthful and freely express yourself if you know that no one else will be reading what you write. Your journal is an opportunity to express thoughts and feelings that you do not want others to know because of how they may react.
2. Find a Comfort Zone: You can keep a journal in a physical notebook or a computer text document. Pick the form of writing that you are more comfortable with. Do not worry about proper grammar or well-crafted sentences. This is not a school assignment or a business document. It is more important that you understand what you are writing.
3. Set a Loose Schedule: Many people like to write in their journals at the end of the day because they can recount the events of the day and let out their feelings before they go to sleep. Journaling is most effective if you do it consistently, but do not pressure yourself to write every day if you do not feel up to it.
4. Create a Narrative: Studies on journaling during and after divorce show that it is healthier when writers tell their divorce as a story instead of writing out things that bother them. You can create an imaginary audience who you are writing to. Explaining your divorce to someone else, even if you never intend for them to read it, can force you to consider what you are feeling and why you feel that way. Instead of obsessing about your negative emotions, you may understand them better.

Contact a St. Charles Divorce Attorney

Journaling is not for everyone. Some people struggle to write about themselves or find the writing process arduous. The purpose of an activity such as journaling is to find a healthy way to manage your emotions. If you do not like writing a journal, a divorce coach can suggest other healthy outlets. Our Kane County divorce lawyers at Goostree Law Group can refer you to our in-house divorce coach to complement our legal services. To schedule a free consultation, call 630-584-4800.

Source:
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/9/15591656/expressive-writing-psychology-journaling-diary-divorce-heart-health