What if someone reads my journal?

[Sandy Grason]

Are you nervous about really writing what's on your mind because someone might find and read your journal?

Does this fear stop you from really journaling deeply?

[Sandy Grason]

yay! that is so cool!

My book just came out in Korean~ I'm going to shoot a video later this week, the cover is sooooo beautiful. they really got the 'vibe'.
:-)

can't wait to share some your journals.....

[DonnaOnTheBeach]

I agree completely Mari - well done Lilou for 'making' Sandy start this group!! Sandy, you already know that I adore your book - I used to journal when I was young but when I reread them, I was embarrassed by my teenage self and I destroyed them and stopped journalling (I REALLY wish I hadn't destroyed them). I had forgotten what a wonderful process journalling was, and the level of insight and usefulness of my journalling jumped by about 1000% when I found journalution. Looking forward to seeing what journal entries come through here.

Love

Donna.xx

[Laura (GingerKat66)]

Well, this did happen to me. I wrote my complete truth in my journals all the time. It never occurred to me that someone would actually read them. Then about 10 years ago my boyfriend at that time did read them and used what I had written to hurt me. I was devastated. I burned all of my journals and didn't write again for years. I really missed the practice of journaling. At the time this happened I had been journaling almost daily for years, doing morning pages and other more deep, introspective prompts. I missed it so badly, it was like someone cut off my arm, so then I started writing on my computer and then deleting it so no one could possibly find and read what I had written.

Then something happened and I bought a beautiful book and started to journal. I journal nearly everyday, it keeps me grounded, connected and lets me work out issues, sort out dreams, clarify my feelings, collapse my emotions, it is an extention of myself and my brain.

In fact I was co authoring a book about journaling a few years ago with a friend, but the partnership didn't work out. It was at that time I met you Sandy at Mega Book Marketing in LA and bought a copy of Journalution from you. I stayed up almost that whole night reading the book, I absolutely loved it. I have given it as a gift with a beautiful journal to so many girlfriends, even to my Mom. I love your book so much and am so happy you started this group!!

[Sandy Grason]

yay! you guys rock!

okay, I'm going to post the first journaling prompt now.

[Samara Leigh]

This definitely is an issue. Sometimes it isn't even a matter of wanting to hide something, but rather not wanting to hurt someone down the road.

[Shyone4444]

Hi Ladies~
I would love to journal about my life and be totally honest in my writting, but the fear that someone may come across my raw emotions scripted in an open book really frightens me. Not that I have any huge secrets, but my thoughts are just that, MY thoughts. When your a mom, you really never get time for yourself, so when I do get some alone time I want to be able to be open and free with my feelings. I would just hate to let my thoughts out and maybe in the process hurt someone if my journal was found.

What are the different ways we can journal?

[DonnaOnTheBeach]

I write on the front page of my journal "If you read this without my permission, and find something that upsets you, know that this is just a moment in time - I love you really!" Sandy reccommends if you are really worried about this, you write absolutely what you are thinking, then burn it. So you get the chance to get it 'out' of your head, and there is no chance of anyone being hurt by it.

Love

Donna.x

[Lisa]

I absolutely love this, Donna! You've inspired me to write something similar -- not only in case someone else finds it, but also to remind me that writing something harsh or mean-spiried is a moment in time rather than the whole picture of me. Thanks!

[Sandy Grason]

Shyone- love your name!
My philosophy is you must get that 'energy' out of your body, for me, journaling is the way to do it. you can draw of paint or dance or sing. anything to release it. but if you hold it in, i believe it just keeps building and building. oh, meditation is another great way to release stuff, but i find that's more cumulative and doesn't work as great for me, if I'm still in the moment of being upset.

I *love* what donna said about what's written on her journal.... so true! My husband knows that many of my journal entries start of with lots of expletives but it's better to let them fly in my journal than all over him, right? Then after the emotions, comes the clarity. I can't tell you how often I use my journal entry as a way to communicate with others. i use it to get clarity. get the crazy emotions out and see things more clearly.

and if it's really bad, I either, disguise the names, or tear it out (but I rarely do that anymore). even if I'm complaining about one of my kids. i think in the future, when they are mother's themselves, they will find comfort in the fact that I struggled too, on this journey of motherhood. :-)

[Yvette Marie]

Your writing to get the negative energy out but isn't that bringing more of it to you according to the LOA? I'm confused.

[alison]

When I first started to journal, I was worried about this too.After a very short time, I really got into it and my pen couldn't keep up with my brain, hence I could hardly read what I had written never mind anyone else trying to figure it out, lol! If your mad angry, your probably going to scrawl anyway. So I would say to you...just go for it, it really works wonders.

Have fun,
Alison x

P.S Failing that you could always keep it in the bathroom cupboard with the loo rolls.....we all know no one else changes them, Lol!! x

[Amanda (Roeaster)]

know what Sandy, i'm a very open person so luckily this hasn't been a problem for me. i think for a long time i was very naive about the possibility of someone ready my journal, i've always written from the heart. and then one day i walked in on a guy that i was dating reading my journal on my living room floor! i found it hilarious. and later when i thought about all of the things i had poured into that journal, i felt very exposed, but strangely glad that he had seen another side of me.