by Gina Alfani

Created on: July 15, 2008   Last Updated: July 18, 2008

Journaling as emotional therapy is the most practical benefit for me. Although I always enjoyed writing as a hobby, it was not until I sought the assistance of a psychotherapist that I learned the benefits of journaling.

The psychotherapist does not give you feedback, they just know what questions to ask to make you think. The questions are asked, you talk and even if you are not finished, when the hour is up, you have to stop talking. The rest is homework, writing it all down and ultimately learning how to approach those things on your own.

My approach to journaling is asking myself a few key questions and digging deep within my soul being brutally honest with what comes to mind without thinking about it. The questions depend on my mood. If I am feeling sad, the question is "why am I sad" or "what is bothering me", basically asking myself the questions that the therapist would ask. On a bad day, it may take more questions and many more pages of writing which also depends on the mood. There is not a set time of day for my journaling, sometimes I journal several times and I never give myself a time limit.

The key question that has totally changed my approach to life that I answer every day, no matter what mood I'm in . . . "what are the five things that I'm grateful for today". The beauty of this question routinely brings a daily appreciation for life that is fresh and new. Once you realize that finding five things to be grateful for every day is so easy and most of those moments we treasure in our lives didn't cost a thing, it brings new meaning to each day as you instantly become aware of those things that put a smile on your face.

The greatest benefits of journaling for me is the emotional freedom of understanding what makes me happy, realizing the joy in the simple things in life which results in going through good and bad times with a smile on my face and a positive attitude.

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