12/26/2022
I need to be vulnerable here with you...
I have struggled most of my life with depression. And situational depression, most severely.
Somewhere along the way, I learned the practice of what I call 'befriending my depression beast'. I found ways to be curious with it. To talk to it, through my journal. And a strange thing happened:
I found a way to embrace my depression, as a friend, not a foe...who brought me insight about myself, my life, my situation, that I didn't find on the 'easy/normal' days.
It entirely shifted the role that depression played in my life. It shifted the hold it had over me. It shifted the power it robbed of me, and the energy I gave fighting to keep it away.
I would never suggest that this is or could be the case for ALL depression, nor would I ever consider that Journaling could be a single solution to support those that are struggling with it.
But without hesitation, I entirely do believe that when we practice Journal Writing, we impact our perspectives. We learn better what is underlying of what is seen/experienced on the surface. We can bring shifts.
I even read recently, a woman who found the same to be true for her anxiety. It didn't remove it from her life, but Journaling most definitely shifted how she approached and experienced her Anxiety...to where SHE was steering the ship again.
My 'Journaling With ALL Senses' method, is a powerful, POWERFUL resource in doing such a thing.