Stuck? How Journaling Can Uncover Your Truth
My new client had more than 10 overdue papers to complete in order to move to the next step of her doctoral program.
She'd already successfully completed a Masters program in record time, so I knew she had all of the necessary skills to do the work.
After several sessions, the truth to her writer's block emerged: she didn't absolutely love the program.
She was doing it to create a stepping-stone to her dream career as a speaker.
Once my client confronted the truth, she was able to crank out those papers in record time.
Feeling stuck with writing or life? Chances are you've stumbled on an experience, issue, or emotion you have not dealt with.
Writer Jeffrey Gingold, the award-winning author of Facing the Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis, says this about writing: "Be honest.
If you haven't dealt with it, you're not ready to write about it" In Gingold's book, he talks frankly about how MS has impacted his life and how he manages it.
His honesty makes the book both helpful and worth reading.
The best way to get honest about your life is to keep a journal.
As Brenda Ueland says it in her book If You Want to Write, "Keep a slovenly, headlong, impulsive, honest diary.
" Write fast and carelessly every day.
Forget all the rules.
Forget that you are not supposed to write about certain things.
Forget what your English teacher told you about the right way to write.
Just get down your observations, feelings, and ideas.
Don't write about anything boring to you-that's a sign that you are telling lies, writing to please others and not yourself.
When you get stuck, ask yourself Brenda Ueland's very helpful question: "What in thunder do you want to say?" Then say it.
Maybe you're one of those people who have always wanted to journal but when you open a blank book your mind goes blank, too.
Most writers can benefit from using a writing exercise to tap into their wisdom.
To begin, choose one of the sentences below to complete.
List your statements as rapidly as possible.
1.
If I told the truth, I'd say .
.
.
2.
I deeply desire to .
.
.
3.
I need to .
.
.
3.
I want to let go of .
.
.
4.
I am thankful for .
.
.
Try this exercise for a week or more.
Once you're in the habit of journaling, the words will come more easily.
You'll discover what you really believe and desire.
Honestly!
She'd already successfully completed a Masters program in record time, so I knew she had all of the necessary skills to do the work.
After several sessions, the truth to her writer's block emerged: she didn't absolutely love the program.
She was doing it to create a stepping-stone to her dream career as a speaker.
Once my client confronted the truth, she was able to crank out those papers in record time.
Feeling stuck with writing or life? Chances are you've stumbled on an experience, issue, or emotion you have not dealt with.
Writer Jeffrey Gingold, the award-winning author of Facing the Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis, says this about writing: "Be honest.
If you haven't dealt with it, you're not ready to write about it" In Gingold's book, he talks frankly about how MS has impacted his life and how he manages it.
His honesty makes the book both helpful and worth reading.
The best way to get honest about your life is to keep a journal.
As Brenda Ueland says it in her book If You Want to Write, "Keep a slovenly, headlong, impulsive, honest diary.
" Write fast and carelessly every day.
Forget all the rules.
Forget that you are not supposed to write about certain things.
Forget what your English teacher told you about the right way to write.
Just get down your observations, feelings, and ideas.
Don't write about anything boring to you-that's a sign that you are telling lies, writing to please others and not yourself.
When you get stuck, ask yourself Brenda Ueland's very helpful question: "What in thunder do you want to say?" Then say it.
Maybe you're one of those people who have always wanted to journal but when you open a blank book your mind goes blank, too.
Most writers can benefit from using a writing exercise to tap into their wisdom.
To begin, choose one of the sentences below to complete.
List your statements as rapidly as possible.
1.
If I told the truth, I'd say .
.
.
2.
I deeply desire to .
.
.
3.
I need to .
.
.
3.
I want to let go of .
.
.
4.
I am thankful for .
.
.
Try this exercise for a week or more.
Once you're in the habit of journaling, the words will come more easily.
You'll discover what you really believe and desire.
Honestly!
Source...