Let’s Talk About…Keeping  “Anger  Log.”

As you read this tip/title did you have any kind of reaction? Some might say why would I want to log the times when I’m angry? Others may say…no way!

I remember the very first time I started to keep an anger log. I also remember why I knew this would be a good assignment for me. I knew that at the root of some of my complaining and dissatisfaction were feelings of anger. When I was a child I was often punished for being angry and even as an adult was criticized if I became too vocal. In my world it was often not accepted or safe to be angry and/or express my anger.

In a very short time I discovered that I loved “screaming” in my journal. It was so wonderful to passionately express myself! Because I always allow myself to be completely unedited in my journal it was actually fun, and often amusing that I could write words that I was thinking and never said out loud. (You know…the words that are usually not appropriate or polite to say.)

If this is a new journaling practice for you here are a few tips: Buy a special Journal and label it, “ My Anger Journal”. (You may even want to choose a Journal that is different style and color…mine is small and red.) On the first page I write myself a message to free me from any restrictions I have. The quote I have right now is the line from a movie…”I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Set aside at least a page for each day in your journal to identify anything and everything that is even slightly related to anger.  Reread your journaling at the end of each day and ask yourself, “What do I “see” about my life-myself? Then take the time to reread and consciously choose to either keep releasing, write letters (sent or unsent) or simply write some more about what is currently happening that you wan to examine. Other questions to ponder are: If this person makes me angry, why do I spend time with him/her? Where and when does/did this anger originate? Is my anger “good” for me? When did I first notice that I was angry about____________? I’m certain you won’t run out of questions to ask your self and journal…and journal some more!

If this is a new journaling practice for you and you would like to know more, I do have an entire chapter to assist you to better understand how logging can help you “TO USE YOUR LIFE AS A LEARNING LABORATORY.” So, if you do not have my Journaling For Joy book and workbook you can order online at http://joycechapman.com/bookstore/

 

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What is Journaling 101?

This blog is here for you to enjoy and to hopefully glean ideas and resources as you journal, blog or write. It is also an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas and life.

I have been journaling for over 40 years now and since the day I began I have been intrigued by the fact that I never run out of things to write about! I was sure that if this habit was so powerful for me, everyone else would want to journal too. So, I invited some friends into my living room and we began writing and sharing. Then I left my living room and began to share my love of journaling with larger audiences and groups. Many, many times people have come up to me and I can feel the excitement washing over them as they begin to journal and learn more about themselves and the world around them. And I love to be part of that feeling!

One of the biggest hurdles some people face as they begin journaling is that they start off like a rocket and then often forget to put journaling on their schedule. Journaling is not necessarily keeping a “diary” but it is also not writing chapter and verse either. I know some journalers who write intermittently and others who faithfully write daily. There is no “right” way. There is only your way.

So say you have decided to have a blog – which I really consider on-line journaling that you are open to sharing – will be it your stream of consciousness or do you have bigger plans? Use Journaling 101 as your resource for ideas and conversations.

One reader wrote to me after reading my book Journaling For Joy, that the best part of reading the book and her start in journaling was that “I had introduced her to herself.“

What a wonderful adventure! Learn who you are by letting yourself tell you!

In joy always,  Joyce