1. You can track your emotional progress
One of my favorite activities to do is go through my old journals and see how much I've changed through the years. Whenever you're going through a breakup, you're emotions are all over the place. One day you'll feel like you're on cloud nine, and the next day you'll feel completely hopeless. The best thing about a journal, however, is that you'll be able to see how you progress from day to day. At first, you won't notice much of a difference, but as the weeks/months go by, you'll notice your attention isn't focused on your lost love, but is instead looking forward to the exciting future.
2. You can give your family and friends a break
Friends and family are the greatest sources of emotional support, yet sometimes they need a break from hearing us cry, complain, and whine. When I was going through my first breakup, I'd call my mom over and over again. One day though she said I needed to give her a break from all my complaining. Although it was tough not to have her to talk to about the breakup for a few days, I eventually realized my journal was just as supportive as my mother. My journal allowed me to vent my thoughts, clear my head, and let things go. I eventually stopped unloading on my friends and family and started putting all my thoughts and emotions into my journal.
3. You can remind yourself of all the reasons your relationship didn't work
When relationships end, people tend to focus in on the good times. Sure, it's okay to think about the highlights of a former relationship from time to time, but it's never good to fixate on them. Keep in mind, your relationship didn't work out for a reason, and you need to acknowledge all the flaws in your relationship before you’re able to successfully move forward in your life. One of the best things about a journal is that you can document all the reasons your relationship didn't work out and go back and remind yourselves of those reasons whenever you start feeling sentimental about your former love. Truth be told, journals keep us honest about reality vs. perception.
4. You can find closure
Closure is the most important step in moving on from a failed relationship. Without closure, we are stuck in a rut, feeling sorry for ourselves and the love we've lost. Journals are a great form of therapy that help us confront our sadness, anger, depression, and frustration and carry us on to the next chapter of our lives. In a way, journals give us a form of closure that we may have not found on our own. So remember, if you want to be able to let go of a past love, find closure, and move forward, journals are one of the greatest therapeutic resources to utilize.
When we're in the thick of them, college breakups feel absolutely gut-wrenching. Yet with the magic of journaling, we can get through those broken hearts in no time.
About
Maria Rainier is a freelance blogger and writer for an online degrees blog. She is interested in all things concerned with higher education and is particularly passionate about technology in the classroom. Please share your comments or questions with her.
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