My last blog posting was about starting a “Personal Widow’s Journal” and from that I’ve gotten several requests to do a follow up posting with journal tips for widows. If you have never done a journal it can be differcult to get started and that is especially true for grieving widows.
Below are some Journal Tips to get you started:
Commit to keeping your journal for 30 days, making an entry at least once a day.
Start by describing why you are starting your journal.
When you travel write about your surroundings, people you meet and activities you do. Write about how you interacted with the people around you.
Each day find one positive word and begin to write using that word. Don’t stop or edit yourself – let it flow.
Make entries about something you are working on. Be sure to describe how you are feeling as you work on it. This can be something as simple as cleaning out a closet or decorating a room.
If you have unresolved issues with a person write a letter, but don’t mail it to them. Use the letter to write in your journal, allowing it to help you focus on your feelings.
Make a special effort to write about the people who have influenced you while you were growing up. This is a safe place to write about both the good, the bad and the ugly.
Write about meeting people who share your interests, hobbies or common life style, example: other widows.
Read books, watch positive movies/documental films and then write what you thought about it. Did it leave you feeling better, sad, angry, fearful, happy etc.?
After 30 days, reread your very first entry. Do you still have the same reason/s for journaling or have you gained a better understanding of your needs?
Use the journal tips to write whatever it is you want to write about. There is no wrong way to keep a journal, it’s for your eyes only. Make sure to have a trusted person designated to collect and destroy ALL your journals upon your death.
Getting “out of your way” means getting back to your passions. Follow all the journal tips listed, plus keep a simple list of things that are helping you to grow and learn about yourself. Amplifying the positives and reducing the negatives (one by one) is a sure way to help heal your broken heart.
To Our Shared Journey,
Mary Francis is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, Certified Law of Attraction Facilitator, Early Intervention Field Traumatology (EIFT) and Author/Founder of “The Sisterhood of Widows”
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