Do you sometimes experience one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days like the hero of the Judith Viorst book? The kind of day when it feels impossible to break out of a rotten mood, and everything seems to go wrong?
The next time you are feeling out of sorts, take out your journal and write a "10 Things I Love" list. This simple and satisfying personal journaling prompt can be used over and over again to chase away the bad day blues.
Here's how.
1. Use a journaling process to pick a "10 Things I Love" category. Ask yourself, in what area of my life am I experiencing tension or heightened interest right now? What am I excited about these days? Where could I use some advice or counseling?
Or, as a variation, focus on one of the following categories:
Ideas Reputation Memories Places Eating Impulses
Entertainment People Words Relationships Work Self-confidence
Family Personal goals Interests
2. Ask yourself, what are the "10 Things I Love" about that part of my life? As you write out the list, leave a sizeable space after each list item.
3. Starting at the top of your list, describe in detail what it is about that selection that caused you to include it in the list.
4. Read over your list(s). Make note of your body's reactions to what you are reading. Be open to that which appears obvious to you.
Here's an example.
Through your journaling, you are aware that a major issue right now in your life is whether or not to quit your job.
What are ten things you love about your current job? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
What are ten things you love about the idea of finding a different job? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
Here's another example.
Through your journaling, you've realized you have many unresolved issues from childhood.
What are ten things you loved about your childhood? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
What are ten things you love about the potential of resolving leftover issues from your childhood? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
What are ten things you love about ignoring your childhood issues entirely? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
And one final example.
You use People as your category for exploration.
What are ten things you love about other people? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
What are ten things you love about a particular person? Complete steps 2, 3, and 4.
In sum, it's simply awesome how clearly identifying what you love can set you on the right track.
By Mari L. McCarthy - Journal / Writing Therapist. Journaling is the ultimate self-help tool. Please share discoveries at my blog- http://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog/. More journaling ideas and exercises are available at http://www.createwritenow.com/journaling-ideas/. Write On!