Thinking, and working, through grief is the most difficult part of loss. Often, you don’t know what your thinking {or even IF you’re thinking}… The best way, I’ve found, to actively think through your thoughts is by writing them down. Once written, you can revisit, review, and rewrite over and over again.
Remember, you’re not writing a masterpiece – in fact, you’re the only person that will ever read your words. Just get them out of your mind and onto the paper. That’s the most important part.
Here are my 5 best tips for having a productive ‘write’:
- Get Physical: {Of course, this one only applies if you’re old – like me – and remember a time before the world’s information fitting in a small device in your pocket.} Pull out a real sheet of paper or a special notebook and your favorite pen. Or use a piece of scrap paper and an old crayon – it really doesn’t matter. There’s something psychologically freeing {and less distracting} when you journal like an O.G.
- Get Comfy: Grab a cup of your favorite beverage {adult or otherwise} and prop your feet up or sit down at your desk-feet flat on the floor. Turn on some instrumental music, light a candle, or defuse your favorite scent. Get comfortable and remove physical distractions. Allow yourself to focus on your thoughts only.
- Get Writing. Keep your pen moving and let your thoughts flow effortlessly from your head, to heart, to hand, and to the paper. If you don’t know what to write about draw pictures, bullet-point your thoughts, even doodle if you have to. Just. Keep. Writing. The longer you keep that pen moving the easier it will come to you.
- Get Over Yourself: Don’t edit while you’re writing. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, formatting or any other semantics. It will block your thoughts. You’ll be able to figure out what you wrote {you wrote it, remember?} when you go back later. And DON’T scratch things out. That just signals to your brain that it’s done something wrong. Just start a new line and a new thought.
- Get Deep: Get out of your head! Don’t judge or critique as you go along. Remember, no one but you will read your words so don’t be stifled. Follow your tangential thoughts and go down that rabbit hole. Sometimes you have to have a breakdown before you can have a breakthrough.
Do you other tips we didn’t mention? Leave a comment below with your best journaling advice!
Want a little extra help getting started? Check out the Free Mini Sharing Solace Gratitude Journal Here.
What to get straight to the good stuff? Here is the full Gratitude Journal.
Journaling has been one of the most valuable tools in my grief tool box!
Yes! Me too Teri!
Thank you so much!! Lot of kisses 😉
Thanks so much for the post. Keep writing.