Venting Journaling: (aka Throwing Up on Paper)

WHAT IS IT?

There are times it's necessary to vent. And, there are also times it's necessary to be quite ugly on the page--just to get it out so you can move on and find the logic in the situation, rather than be emotional about it. I call this type of journaling throwing up on paper. I know it's a terrible phrase. But, the moment you heard it, and I explained to you, it makes perfect sense, doesn't it? I really cannot think of one more appropriate. Sometimes you just have to get it out so you can feel better--and that is precisely what this type of journaling allows.

HOW OFTEN?

I do not recommend doing this as a complete journal. But, an entry every now and then is perfectly acceptable. Why do I not recommend it too often? It means focusing on the negatives, rather than on the positives. It means for a quite miserable frame of mind. If you use throwing up on paper as a way to get things on, so you can move one, then that's a whole different matter.

To be honest, I only vent on the page a couple times per year. I really do not need it more than that--if I journal at least five days per week. Journaling frees me and transforms me so I do not need to do this too often. But, when I do, it's a doozy!

WHEN?

I recommend doing this when:

~ Someone really upsets you.

~ You get some bad, stressful, or frustrating news.

~ When you make an error in judgment or a mistake.

~ When you don't know what to do.

~ When you are emotional and cannot think logically.

~ When something eats at you.

HOW?

How do you do vent on the page?

VENT:

~ First and foremost (this is critical), give yourself 30 minutes tops to vent on paper. Set a timer.

~ Next, call the entry venting on paper so that you know you weren't serious about most of what you said when you read the entry later. You just had to get it out.

~ Be as ugly as possible on the page with the intent to purge on paper and get it out.

~ Don't be hateful, though. Don't plan on harming anyone. Be somewhat reasonable.

~ This is a good time to have the poor-me's, if you want--and ask the what'if questions.

~ Be thorough. Get it all out.

~ The moment the timer goes off... STOP. Do not write one more word.

RE-FRAMING IT PHASE:

~ Then, turn it around. Do a new entry about the main gripe you had that had you throwing up on the page. Approach it with grace. Be tactful. Be logical.

~ Find the lessons learned or the lessons to learn from the situation. Make sure to get them down.

~ Then, list three blessings from this situation.

~ Finally, move on. Try to forget what had you venting. However, if it still eats at you, repeat this exercise again.

Whenever I do this, I feel so much better. My emotions and the situation no longer control me when I am finished. In fact, I take back control because of it. And, I am able to move pass it. There is something very healing and powerful about venting on the page.

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper 

Your Story

Your story matters.

Journal.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper

Use your journal to unwind through the busyness of life

I don't know about you, but there are weeks I am so busy I barely can remember my own name, let alone get everything done that needs to get done, never mind want to get done.

These are the times I know I need a break. Period. But, hah! These are the times I cannot have a break for maybe weeks to months. Sigh.

Have you ever been there?

It seems like life takes over and you are trying to go along for the ride, but you've lost the grip of one hand and are trying to hold on with the other--as you go for the ride.

These are the times that journaling would be a nice reprieve  but I barely have time to breathe, let alone journal... Or so I think.

So, how can I unwind and hold on to some of my sanity through these moments? How can I let things go for a few minutes so I can?

1 I try to steal time to journal a sentence here and there throughout my day.

2 I make sure to journal a paragraph before I even get out of bed in the morning and a paragraph before I go to sleep. I want to start my day off with something that I can control and it helps me prepare for my day. Then, I end it with journaling, no matter how late it is or how tired I am--and I sleep better because I let things go. I put them in my journal. I free my mind so I can sleep and not dwell on things.

I am always amazed by doing this journaling helps me get through the busy times with my sanity still intact and I feel much better because of it.

Now, it's your turn. Try it.

What are your thoughts?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Journaling Retreat: Day 2: Letters

I hope your 5-Day Journaling Retreat got off to a good start yesterday. If it didn’t, the beauty is you have today to try to do so.

Today’s Theme is: Letters
Write several of the following letters in your journal. It’s up to you later if you really send them or not. But, you definitely want a copy of each in your journal regardless.

Letter writing is when we write for the sole purpose of reaching out to another. We express our thoughts, feelings, dreams, fears, ambitions, hopes, challenges, and everything in-between. We share a part of ourselves with another who cannot be by our side.

So, what letters are we going to write?

1 Write a letter to each of the 10 most influential people in your life who have helped you become the person you are today. They do not have to be alive, nor do they have to be someone you know. They can be authors, historical figures, etc. You might only get a few done today, but in time, do at least 10 people. Ideally, it would be 25 people.

2 Write a letter to yourself for you to receive the day you are born.

3 Write a letter to yourself to read when you are old.

4 Write a letter to someone who hurt you.

5 Write a letter to someone you hurt.

6 Write a letter to someone who inspires you.

7 Write a letter to God.

8 Write a letter to someone you know who died.

9 Write a letter to your closest friend.

10 Write a letter to someone you haven't seen in years.

11 Write a letter to each of your favorite book, movie, and TV show characters.

12 Write a letter to yourself in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, and every 5 years until age 110. Where have you come, where are you, where do you hope to be, and so on. And write whatever else you want to say. Be thorough. Try to write at least 3 pages of single-spaced type for each of these letters.

13 Write a letter to your spouse in case you die.

14 Write a letter to your spouse and tell them how much you love them. Remember everything you’ve been through.

15 Write a letter to each fo your children and tell them how much you love them. Remember everything you’ve been through.

16 Write a letter to each of your children in case you die.

17 Write a letter to people of the Bible.

18 Write a letter to anyone else you can think of and for whatever reason.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Surprising: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

What has surprised you, and captured your attention in your journal this month?

This week?

Today?

Please answer all three questions. Then, say why. Be thorough. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

January 2013 Memories: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

List 20 memories you've made this month.

What are you top 10 memories from January 2013? Put them in consecutive order with the most powerful memory (good or bad) on top.

Write about at least three of them in particular. If you already have  write more about them. You might even want to do a memory snapshot, or anything else you would like. Make sure to answer who, what, where, when, why,. how, and what if questions of each memory. And, include all of the senses: taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch.

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Answers: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

What answers have you received lately?

Write about them in your journal in full. Be thorough and include as much information as you can. 

What did these answers tell you?

How did these answers lead you?

How are you living these answers now?

What do the answers mean to you?

What now?

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Stay True 2: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

How can you stay true?

What does "stay true" mean to you?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Stay True

STAY TRUE is the theme for the next week on this blog.

Remain true. Stay true. Keep true.

Do not get swayed from your priorities or their proper order. Keep
your priorities first and foremost.

Stay true to who you are as an individual.

Stay true to your calling.

Stay true to your journal and your journaling.

Stay true.

Any thoughts?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

A Warning to Journalkeepers: Keep Journaling and Be Blessed

Note: Even if you are not going through a hard time in your life or in your journaling, read this blog post. You need to know what to do and expect when it happens. I guarantee. It will happen. 

There will be times when you go through challenges in your life. Things pop up and you can't journal or write--or do either like you would prefer. You're too busy trying to get through the challenge. 

Or, journaling might lose its appeal for a while.

Or, you might get too busy to journal. 

Tragedy also might happen.

Take all of these for what they are. Each of these things is meant to keep you from journaling or journaling as deeply as you should. 

What this usually means is you've struck a chord. You are on the precipice of something wonderful. you are on your way to a major breakthrough. Something amazing is about to happen. (I cannot stress this enough.) 

But, it will only happen, if you keep journaling. 

Granted, you might not want to journal. Or, you might be too busy putting out fires to be able to journal. Or, your journaling might be trash (in your opinion, but not in reality) and not what it could be. 

Whatever you, do not ever stop journaling. That's your biggest mistake if you do. You will lose your rhythm and your train of thought. The breakthrough will be hindered and halted. In fact, it might pass you by because you didn't seize the moment. 

So, whatever you do, KEEP JOURNALING. Do not stop. Ever. 

In fact, during these times, journal more. If you journal more trash than anything, it's okay. Even the trash will be useful to you later. Trust me. Persevere. 

Keep journaling.

And, add a comment to any blog post -or get on my Google+ community and say, "Help! I am struggling." Let the community rally behind you. We can encourage you and help you through whatever you are dealing with.

Give your journal a chance.

Give us a chance.

And, great things will happen. 

They really will. You will be greatly blessed. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

The way

Journaling helps find your way.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writing

Journaling 101

I am part of a collaborative blog with Lynda and Raymonde. It's called  THE JOURNALING PATH.

Every Wednesday and Friday, I contribute and write for a collaborative blog called, THE JOURNALING PATH, with Lynda and Raymonde. I am writing a Journaling 101 series every Wednesday and giving a journaling exercise or prompt every Friday. But, read Lynda's or Raymonde's stuff, too! They are much more eloquent than I am and have a wonderful take of their own in the world of journaling. Also check out their blogs and their Google+ communities. (Take a look at the side of my blog and their blogs are listed there. Or, go to The Journaling Path and their information is there.) They are wonderful resources to add to your storehouse of journaling material.

My Journaling 101 series started three weeks ago and is for beginning journalkeepers and for those who want to get another take on journaling.  Here are the blog posts so far and in order:

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-introduction.html

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-reasons-to-journal.html

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-i-now-have-journal-now.html

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Experiment

Experiment as you journal. Figure out what works for you today and what doesn't. Then, when it stops working, try something else. 

My goal is to provide you with endless options so you can journal any time, no matter what. 

So, experiment. And have fun doing it as you journal.

~ Stacy Duplease

Avoidance: A journaling Exercise or Ptompt

Is there something you know you should write about in your journal, but you keep avoiding it? 

Is it something from your past you regret or feel ashamed because of? 

Is it something painful?

Is it something that embarrasses you?

Is it something you would rather forget?

Is it a little of all of the above? 

If something comes to mind to journal, always jot down at least a sentence of it in your journal in your Future Writing or Journaling List.

However, if it is something that you try to avoid, it's best to journal about it today. Deal with it today--or it will keep dealing with you. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Sanctuary

Your journal is a sanctuary.

~ Stacy Duplease

Be Real

It is important to be real in your journal. Do not put on a show. Do not wear a mask. Address what I call the good, the bad, the ugly, the indifferent, and everything else. After all, the more real and authentic you are, the more you will get out of your journaling. 

~ Stacy Duplease

The key to journaling

Do what works for you.

It's that simple.

Do what works for you as you journal daily.

Everything on this blog is a suggestion. You are your own best judge. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Ideas for journaling entries: The news

Did you make sure to write about the Algerian hostage situation and the Inauguration of the president?

It's important to put news in your journals--to help bring proper context of your journal entries, how the world is, how the nation is, and how it impacts your life. every news story impacts us. Every story does, after all. 

So, do not forget to write about those two things, and anything else in the news that captures your eye or heart.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Abiding

Journaling is how I abide in the Lord and in his Word..

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

There is a reason: A Journaling exercise or prompt

You are alive, and on this earth, for a reason. There is a purpose you are here, where you are, at this time, and the reason is very unique to you. It is what makes you who you are.

The question is: Are you living your life's purpose?

And, do you know your life's purpose? 

How are you living your life's purpose?

What does it mean to you?

How does it shape your priorities?

How does it shape how you live?

How do you live your life's purpose every day--all day long? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013