Journalling through anxiety
My recovery from illness and stress
Dear reader,
The last few weeks have been a time of high stress and anxiety while battling a cold that seems to keep going and going, the main symptom—exhaustion.
But slowly, slowly, my energy seems to be coming back, and the fog is lifting.
I took a few days off writing while I was really sick, and I also spent some time prioritising editing clients over my WIP. Getting back to my book felt very emotional. It felt like returning to something precious that I’d neglected. I was so sorry for my lack of attention. I was like, “My poor baby!”
Needless to say, it feels good to be writing and making progress again. I’m also up to the first love scene in the book, so it’s something I can really sink my teeth into!
So, writing’s going well, but it’s still a stressful time for me. There’s no one reason why. I just feel unsettled in a general sense.
Journalling, as always, has been the main tool helping me to process stress and anxiety.
I am actually keeping three different journals on the go right now:
My digital journal—my most private journal. It’s basically a dialogue with myself. I talk about my worries and give myself pep talks. I congratulate myself and console myself. I think about the future and the past. I also record interesting dreams I’ve had and try to analyse them.
My physical writing journal—I got inspired to work in a physical notebook again after watching a fantastic video from Amanda Close (video below). I don’t really look back and re-read my digital journal, and it’s certainly not something I’d ever consider sharing (not uncensored, anyway). So this journal is a place where I write about my life in a more digestable way. I also want to include photographs and ephemera. I’m currently using a blank Clairefontaine Age Bag notebook and a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen.
My art journal—I’ve talked a bit about this before. It’s a place where I doodle with pens, coloured pencils, and water-soluble crayons, plus do a bit of collage. It’s where I go to express myself without words, and simply to play with art supplies. I use a blank Midori MD notebook with thick paper.
Next week, I’m going on the first holiday I’ve had in a long time (although it’s also half spend-time-with-family trip.) I think it’s going to be the break I need. Planning to take a good book with me and relax as much as I can!
-Sara