Today is Alexis’s birthday! It’s almost hard to believe that she is 23 now. I hope she has a wonderful day. I’m not sure if we are doing the pizza and cake tonight or this weekend. Lexi asked for a stuffed-crust pizza and for a Costco cake. Chocolate.
I love journaling. There’s something quietly powerful about sitting down each day and putting your thoughts into words. Even on days when it feels like there’s nothing meaningful to say, the act itself still matters, showing up, noticing, recording.
Journaling offers many benefits. It can be healing, providing space to process emotions you may not fully understand. It helps untangle problems, turning swirling thoughts into something clearer and more manageable. Sometimes, simply writing things out can shift your mood. What felt overwhelming can become something you can hold, examine, and let go of.
This led me to ask: What are the potential downsides of journaling?
I came across an article today that explored that question, and it made me pause. We often talk about journaling as if it’s purely beneficial, but like anything, it might have its complexities. So what could those downsides be? Is it possible to overthink while writing? To get stuck in certain thought patterns instead of moving through them? Could journaling ever keep us in our heads instead of helping us move forward?
I think journaling can sometimes turn into a loop, rehashing the same worries again and again. Instead of releasing a thought, you might end up reinforcing it without ever moving toward resolution. And when most entries focus on what’s wrong, it can quietly deepen those feelings. Anxiety and frustration don’t always get processed; they can get amplified.
One I really relate to is the pressure to sound good or positive. That pressure can strip away the honesty that makes journaling meaningful in the first place. And then there’s the emotional weight of it. Digging into the past can open the door to more than you expected. I feel that sometimes, too, there are moments when looking back feels overwhelming, and I wish I could reach a place where those memories don’t carry so much weight.
There are also real concerns with privacy, especially with online journaling. I try to balance honesty with protecting certain parts of my life. With my ex, there’s still a layer of fear that lingers. I’m mindful about what I share and even where I say I am. It’s been over ten years, and part of me feels like I should have let that fear go by now, but at the same time, it’s hard not to have that fear.
And then there’s the guilt that can come with inconsistency. Missing a day or a week can make it feel like you’ve failed at something that was supposed to help you. That’s why I like using an undated journal with my physical journal. It removes the pressure and makes it easier to come back without judgment.
That said, most of these downsides don’t come from journaling itself, but from how it’s used.
I’m still sick and definitely feeling it today. I had some chicken noodle soup for lunch. It was good. I’m not really hungry, but I had to eat.
I have therapy at 3, and I’m not sure how that’s going to go. My voice is basically gone. I can barely talk without straining, and when I do, I sound like a frog. Part of me doesn’t want to cancel because, well, it’s short notice now, but at the same time, I don’t even know if I can get through a full conversation like this.
Tommy suggested that I talk about the upcoming parole hearing. I’ve been quietly pushing it to the back of my mind these past few weeks, trying not to think about it too much. I did reach out and email them to ask when I’ll receive the link for the hearing, and they said it will be sent on the Friday before. That gave me a small sense of relief; it’s at least one detail I don’t have to wonder about anymore.
The day before the hearing, Tommy and I are going to this photography/camera convention. I’m going mostly to keep Tommy company, but I think it will be fun. I’d like to see all the new cameras and equipment.
Therapy is done. We talked about the parole hearing. I’m still a bit anxious over it.
I’m going to post this and do some reading.
