Do you feel stuck during this quarantine?
You might feel physically stuck because you have limited opportunities to leave your house or apartment. You might feel stuck because of the extra work of your job. Anxiety and depression can bring a stuck-ness during this time.
Part of getting unstuck during these times means releasing our thoughts out of our heads. When we talk about our frustrations, it can seem like an endless loop. Journaling provides a space to move our thoughts to paper. Words on a page acknowledge what we think and feel.
My wife has graciously listened to my areas of stuck-ness. Her central encouragement included not just focusing on the outside problems, but trying to identify what is happening inside of me. Journaling has become a space to shine the light on my fears, anxieties, frustrations, bitterness, and resentments.
Journaling invites us to hit the pause button on our angsts. It’s not about having a beautiful well-written page, but a profoundly vulnerable raw script of our reality.
Blank pages can bring their problems. Today, I want to help you get unstuck by journaling. Here a few key topics that can help you start releasing your thoughts and feelings in this season of quarantine:
- Write out your prayers.
Writing out a prayer allows you to direct your thoughts and feelings to God. Sometimes praying with verbal talking can cause our mind to wallow in our frustrations. Written prayers engage our bodies, and invites us to meet with God.
- Write out your frustrations and what that makes you feel.
When you feel frustrated, your body reacts. You might feel a knot in your chest. You have a headache. So the root of frustration has something to do with a feeling or lie you tell yourself. For example, if you get frustrated over a decision made at work without your input, you might feel undervalued or like you don’t matter. Without identifying those feelings, you could hold on to that resentment with problems in your interactions.
- Write out your anxieties.
Anxiety cripples our thoughts. Philippians 4:6 describes moving our anxieties to prayer. Just like frustrations, we need a place to acknowledge our worries. Journaling amid anxiety slows us down and can even organize our thoughts. Writing out your anxieties helps you regain areas of control rather than focusing on what you cannot control.
- Write out your disappointments.
The Coronavirus has caused several postponements and cancellations. High school and college seniors may not have graduation ceremonies. Disappointments can lodge themselves in our hearts. Our first step towards healing requires us to get them out in the open. Journaling provides a safe place to do that.
- Write out your gratitude.
Yes, journaling helps you vent. Once you have finished your venting, take time to realize the goodness of God in your life. Gratitude has a way of refocusing our minds and hearts.
What do you find helpful about journaling in this season? Share in the comment section below.