When you have a bad day, there are a few ways you can react:
1. Take it out on the people around you.
2. Scream and cry alone in your room.
3. Channel your emotions into personal journaling.
Option #1 is not productive and will probably make you feel worse. Option #2 can be cathartic, but it may not get to the heart of what is bothering you. Option #3, on the other hand, helps you process your negative feelings and release them in a therapeutic, healthy way.
1. When you find yourself struggling with a bad mood, give yourself some space away from other people. Spend a half hour going for a walk, meditating, doing yoga or indulging in another relaxing activity.
2. Find a quiet place where you can be alone with your personal journal. Pick up your pen and tell it all about your day, starting with all the reasons it was frustrating or unpleasant. Vent, complain, whine, moan— pretend you are talking to a close friend who will listen supportively without judging you. Personal journaling lets you be completely honest about how you feel, so don’t hold back.
3. Now try to think of the positive aspects of your day. Write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how small. For example: I got an email from an old friend who I haven’t talked to in a long time or The days are getting longer and it’s starting to feel like summer. Take a moment to appreciate the good moments in your day.
4. Give yourself a pep talk in your personal journal. Listen to the voice of your inner coach and be supportive, encouraging and optimistic. Make a list of ways tomorrow is going to be better than today and tell yourself you will feel better in the morning. Get a good night’s sleep!
How do you use personal journaling to recover from a bad day? Please share your tricks and triumphs.
If you want to learn how important is it to manage stress while being a full time mom, please download the free eBook titled Avoiding the 24/7 Motherhood Struggle Through Journaling.