How Journaling with Belle de Jour Helped Me Out of My Depression
The past few months have taken me on an emotional rollercoaster. From an outsider's perspective, I don't really have a valid reason to be feeling down. But the truth is, I am.
I've got a supportive family, a bunch of fun-loving friends, and a job that covers my needs and even some of my wants. However, beneath the surface, there's a whole slew of issues I can't seem to shake. While my friends are settling down, getting married, and having kids, I find myself still flying solo. My job pays the bills, but where's the passion?
What's my true purpose in all of this?
This persistent sadness has been hanging over me for quite some time now, and honestly, it's made life pretty miserable. I find myself sleeping excessively, losing interest in things I once loved, my appetite has vanished, and I'm constantly on edge and irritable.
A recent visit to the doctor, however, shed some much-needed light on the situation - I'm dealing with depression. Though most days feel hopelessly dark, they assure me that with treatment and therapy, things can improve. While medication is an option, my doctor also shared some techniques to help me process my emotions.
Initially, I was skeptical. How could I possibly tackle this seemingly bottomless pit of sadness? However, as I started to implement their suggestions, I began to feel a bit lighter and more in control.
If you're wrestling with depression like I am, you might want to consider these ways to process your emotions:
Therapy: Psychotherapy has been scientifically proven to help with depression, and I can personally vouch for its effectiveness. Conversations with an expert have allowed me to shift my thinking from negative to healthier patterns. I've also learned to set better goals and develop healthier coping mechanisms for challenging situations.
Meditation: Through meditation, I've come to realize that I don't have to suppress my feelings and thoughts, nor do I need to act on them impulsively. Meditation has given me the tools to respond to stress and anxiety in ways that don't exacerbate my depression.
Journaling: Writing in a journal has become my go-to method for processing my emotions. Putting my feelings on paper has helped me accept them while recognizing that they don't define who I am. Additionally, jotting down stressful situations has reduced their impact on me.
My preferred journaling tools include BDJ's Focus Planner, which features Aumnipages that allow me to seamlessly switch between note-taking and journaling. This has given me a clearer view of my thoughts, feelings, and goals.
Another favorite of mine is the Dreampowerment Journal, specifically the "Honor Your Progress" edition. I love seeing how I'm conquering my depression one positive action at a time.
The key to healing is to really allow yourself to be vulnerable and to pour all your thoughts and feelings out onto paper – consistently. With BDJ planners, you can make that commitment easier as you can log in your thoughts daily. Whether you want to write in long form or with just bullets, you’re free to express yourself how you wish. You can even doodle on the blank pages.
Let it go and let it all out, and see your burden lightened.
If you're looking for a better way to process your emotions, I highly recommend giving journaling a shot. You can find BDJ journals at https://ilovebdj.com/collections/2024-planner-collection.
It might just be the tool you need to help brighten your emotional landscape.