A mourning journal for those who do not write

Keeping a grieving journal is known to be beneficial for those grieving the loss of a loved one. However, for many, keeping a journal is not an easy thing.

Does this sound like you?

I would not know where to start.

I don’t like writing, it’s not something that comes naturally to me.

I tried and it was so overwhelming, my emotions were in overdrive.

I don’t want to be reminded of my pain every time I start writing.

I can’t spell, I’m not good with words.

I don’t have time, it’s hard enough taking care of my family when I feel so sad.

If you can relate to the above, check out my list below where I give you some easy and different ways to use a journal. It’s my foolproof way for non-writers to try it.

With diary remember there are no rules, it’s your diary. You don’t even have to write, you can paint, color, paste and create. You can use one or more. If you don’t like the word itself, call it scrapbook. The only thing I would suggest is that you go out with the page.

9 easy ways to get started:

1. Use pictures instead of words. Select your magazines and cut out images that mean something to you right now. Paste them or make a collage. It could be a picture that represents a feeling, it could be a picture of a place that you would love to visit at some point in the future. They can be words you see in the newspaper. Start a file for your cuttings.
2. Take a quote you have seen it on facebook, in the newspaper, on a blog and you write it in your diary.
3. Make a memory of a day they spent together. Put up some photos of special moments shared, for example, a card that you might have if it was a birthday. Add a little caption, like “I love this picture, we were at the ……….”
4. Use only 2 words. One of my fellow writers has a 1 + 1 Wednesday function: add a comment, using only 2 words. It’s amazing how powerful those 2 little words can be.
5. Pick a topic, like “The meaning of your name” and write a couple of words, paste quotes and images that reflect that topic.
6. Choose a song and while listening to it, draw some shapes that flow to the music for yourself.
7. Use color to represent what your loved one means to you. As you think about them, what color comes to mind, try paints or pastels to put the color on the page of your grieving journal. Once dry, write a special message for them.
8. Write a quick list of 10 special memories you have
9. Use smiling faces to give an image to your feelings. There are so many and they say it very easily in an image that would take us years to write. It is a way to express your emotions without overwhelming yourself.

“Our journey finds its way in our journal and our journal finds its way in our journey” … Michael lewin