Put yourself on paper

Happy Easter!

In my family, it didn’t matter what I cooked for Easter dinner, as long as we had devilled eggs.

I remember many years when they were tinged blue or pink from the dye that had seeped through the shells.

Eggs represent new life, which is one reason they have become part of Easter traditions.

This year, many people are adjusting to a new way of life that doesn’t look like it is going to end any time soon.

I heard an interview on the radio recently that intrigued me. A small-town museum was asking residents of all ages to write journals and then donate them when they were finished.

What a brilliant idea.

They recognize that how you are feeling as you live through this pandemic will be of interest to future generations. This is a time that will be written about and studied extensively in years to come.

I’m not sure I would want to donate my private thoughts and feelings, but keeping a journal that will never be seen by another person is still a good habit to develop.

Journalling has been extensively researched and found to be beneficial for many reasons including:

• Relieving depression, anxiety, and stress 
• Improving writing and communication skills
• Fostering self-reflection
• Documenting a period in your life
• Providing an outlet for creativity
• Increasing self-awareness
• Encouraging mindfulness
• Achieving goals
• Healing and improving immune systems

Many of the above benefits are needed now more than ever and you probably have some extra time on your hands. This activity is perfect for anyone who can hold a pencil or use a keyboard. Age doesn’t matter.

If you have read Anne Frank, you may see some of the similarities between her situation and yours. This might be a good book to read yourself or as a family if your children are of an appropriate age.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

• Set a specific time of day to write. I prefer first thing in the morning, so I don’t get caught up in other things and forget.
• Write daily.
• Be honest. Write for yourself, not for an audience.
• Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or sentence structure. Write to express, not to impress.
• Use sentences, bullet points, or key words.
• Don’t insist that family members share what they wrote.
• Set a specific minimum time limit like five minutes when you are first starting.
• Take time to read what you wrote before you put your journal away.

Use your journal to record:

• Intentions
• Gratitude
• Goals
• Experiences
• Emotions

Use journal prompts or topics to help you get past not knowing what to write about. Start writing and see what comes to mind.

Journals are about more than just recording facts and figures. Write about the experiences you are having as well as the way you are feeling about them.

Let me give you a journal prompt to get you started.

This has been the strangest Easter weekend I’ve ever had, because ……..

Happy journalling.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.