Dear Iris,

I’ve just completed radiation treatment. I’m excited to get back to my old routine since treatment is done, but I still don’t have a lot of energy each day. I’m bored with movies and TV! I’m looking to try new activities that are easy to do and will help keep my spirits up while I continue to slowly recover. A friend mentioned the idea of journaling, I’m interested, but want to better understand how to do it and if it could help me while I’m feeling tired and unable to do my typical activities.

T

Dear T, 

Great to hear your energy's picking up! Post-treatment life isn't quite back to normal, right? Trying out a new hobby could be a fun mood-lifter. It shakes things up, sets a fresh routine, and helps you pass the time while you’re recovering.  

Journaling is an opportunity to help promote a better understanding of your thoughts, help with self-reflection, and assist with processing emotions. By writing (or speaking) your thoughts and emotions, you can come back to your own words when you need them most. Some tips to make journaling more accessible for yourself: Here are 3 key tips in making journaling more accessible and enjoyable: 

• Personalize Your Space: Create a peaceful and calming environment for journaling. Whether it's lighting a candle, playing soft music, or using your favorite pen. 

• Choose Your Medium: Remember, journaling doesn't have to be limited to pen and paper. Whether it's typing, voice memos, or another medium that feels right for you. Pick the method that makes journaling interesting for you. 

• Embrace Imperfection: Give yourself permission to journal without judgment. There's no right or wrong way to express yourself in your journal. It’s okay to just let the words flow onto the page rather than thinking so much about the order or word choice. Try to write without editing and hold back on self-criticism. 

• For more tips and suggestions, check out: Quick Tip Guide to Start Journaling

 Here are a few journaling prompts to try: 

• Reflect on Your Strength: Consider what makes you feel strong. Dedicate some time to journal about the places, people, actions, and personal qualities that highlight your strength.  

• Revisit a Beautiful Memory: Think back to a beautiful place you've visited and describe it in vivid detail. What did you see, smell, and hear? 

• For more prompts, check out: Writer’s Block? Kickstart Your Journal with 5 Starter Prompts

Journaling is just for you, not for anyone else, and allowing yourself the freedom to see where it takes you can be part of what makes journaling so helpful and healing.