So being in lockdown seems to be giving everyone a lot of time in their own head, right? Sometimes we can feel confused, happy, sad…a whole range of emotions and thoughts can be in our heads. One of the most classic ways of helping make sense of thing is to write a journal.
You can write your journal on whatever you find works for you. Your phone, tablet, laptop, a notepad, a video or other recording…whatever lets you get it out of your head and down on paper. Writing or saying it can help you understand it better and its often a good way for you to feel some amount of control over those big feelings. A problem aired is a problem shared as the saying goes.
RYV would be interested in seeing any journal entries your write that you are comfortable sharing. It might be something you think is useful to others or something other people might relate to. We’ve included tips and some real extracts from journals below. Don’t worry, anything you submit would be anonymous and we would only ever share anything you send with your permission. If you want to share your journal entries you can email them to youth@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Here are some examples of what you could include in your journal:
- How you have been feeling
- How have you as an individual been affected by this pandemic?
- What are your coping mechanisms- what do you do to keep yourself occupied during the day?
- What you are looking forward to when lockdown ends?
- Your mental health
- Positive things that have happened in your life
- What has changed the most for you during lockdown?
- How are you coping with the new regulations?
- Have you learnt a new skill- an instrument, a language etc?
- Are you an experienced young carer?
There are many things as to what you can write about, if you feel you don’t want to use one of the examples up above that’s ok. Try and express yourself freely, don’t feel like you are going to get judged for what you write – this is a safe space!
If you feel you are struggling with trying to start your writing journal off here is some examples:
- Start off by saying what day it is
- What have you done throughout the day
- If you are writing it during the day- start it by saying how you felt in the morning and how you are feeling currently
- How you felt when lockdown started- how are you feeling now
Check out Zoe’s top Journal Tips below to help you out and we’ve included some examples at the bottom of this article you can click through.
If you feel affected by any of the issues mentioned in the journal entries, please check out this page on where to get support during these times.