Hello Friends and welcome to the blog today.

It’s Wednesday, June 1st!  How ya’ll feelin’.  It dang hot here in the DMV, but I hope you’re being productive, drinking plenty of water, getting a little sunshine, and living your best life.

I’m a little under the weather today, so as I relax my body there’s no better time to be still and just write.  This brings me to my post today because it’s time to journal.

Journal Therapy

I’m a huge advocate of creating a journal, and this was before I started seeing a therapist.  The first thing she said during our initial appointment was …”do you keep a journal, because I’d like you to start one“.  Journaling for me has always been therapy, and it’s the best way to write a letter to myself, list milestones, heartache, struggles, or whatever is on my mind.

In previous years I’ve done a Sunday Podcast journal, which was what I needed at that time but I’ve always written things down.  Over years writing became difficult.  This translates to ...my hands couldn’t keep up with my thoughts so I started typing my thoughts on Wordpad.

This was also a time when started watching several YouTube videos on keeping a bullet journal.  As I researched I came across a website called 750 Words.  That too worked for a time, until the trial period was over.  I should mention that this type of journaling was comprehensive and pulled keywords in your typing to determine your mood and how you were feeling.  I was angry or upset 75% of the time, but I think that also set the tone.

Why You Mad?

It was not until recently that I started reading my past journal entries from 2016.  I use Penzu as my platform to write (I’ll get into that in just a bit), and every few days they will send an “Into the Looking Glass” to show you what you wrote 4-6 years ago, along with words of encouragement to keep writing.

It was the same as 750 Words, everything had so much rancor.  I was unsatisfied with life and how I made my way in it.  I was unfulfilled at work, and I was underappreciated.  My finances weren’t healthy, I was swimming in credit card debt, and I was alone.  You mix that stew together and it tastes like sadness.

The thing is …there were several good things going on in my life but I only zoomed in on the very bad parts of it.  So now when I look back I don’t see much.  I didn’t mention that I had just graduated with my Associate’s Degree (Summa Cum Laude), or that my daughter had also graduated with her bachelors from American University.  My apartment wasn’t fabulous but it was cheap, and I was taking pictures and learning new things in my field every day.

I Must Do Better

I use to write every day, but for a time that was daunting.  I also had a rough 2020 and it wasn’t COVID related but just in general. It was my home life that became too stressful to bear so while I continued blogging, I stopped writing.

Each year I always vow to do better, and I have kept that promise by writing on Penzu.  I love Penzu (#notsponsered) for what it is.  A free (they also have paid) platform to write what I want when I want, and in whatever format I choose.

What I’m doing differently is focusing on the good.  I do get angry …I’m human, and I do have stress and issues to sort out, but I primarily focus on good and end with the good.  I don’t care if I only say …” today I washed 6 loads of laundry“, it’s an accomplishment and it’s good.  I do get in my headspace about work but I always end or begin with, …I’m thankful for a job in these pressing times.

Also because I’m focusing on those good feelings of accomplishment, more good comes my way.  You get back what you put out.  It’s a saying that’s as old as time but it’s most certainly true.  Do good, be well, feel good and I’m sticking to it.

Penzu is My Happy Place

I’ve talked about Penzu several times on the blog, and how I find it so therapeutic to write out my issues, get them out and leave them in that space until I can process them.  I even have full-on rant-style posts that are titled “DON’T READ THIS”, because either they are too painful, or I still feel resentment that hasn’t been resolved.

So what is Penzu … Penzu is a free online diary and personal journal focused on privacy. Easily keep a secret diary or a private journal of notes and ideas.  Users can create written entries similar to a standard personal journal and can also upload photos from their devices. (Source: Penzu)

Here is a sample of a recent entry, and since they are private it’s only a small portion.

I’ve also created a Bible study journal on Penzu.  Sad to say I haven’t studied in a long while but I will get back to it.  Here is a quick snippet of my journal.

I think it’s good practice (no matter what you use) to get in the habit of writing down your thoughts.  We all get angry, we get upset, and to hold this all in is very unhealthy.

Seeing a therapist is a great way to you work through your emotions and feeling so you can feel better and thus live better, but keeping a journal to get those thoughts out of your head is also a great way.  I’m no expert …far from it, but I do know from experience that journaling works.

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior”. — Christina Baldwin

I hope this quick entry gives you the inspiration that you need to start a journal.  Thanks so much for visiting the blog today.  Don’t forget to follow and subscribe, as I really appreciate the support. — Peace