Journaling

Journaling is a creative tool that enables individuals to freely access and express inner emotions and ideas that they can not verbalize. Although little empirical evidence exists for the process of journaling, the technique is often described as useful. Forms of journaling include writing a “letter” to God or another person, answering a question, or dialoguing with God about concerns or an internal debate. Letters to God or another person can be destroyed as desired to ensure confidentiality. Creating a “God's Worry Box” by wrapping a shoe box with colorful paper and cutting a hole in the top and then depositing slips of papers describing concerns is another form of journaling. The idea is to “turn over” the concerns to a loving God so that the individual ceases to worry about a particular problem.

Journaling results in increased self-awareness, sorting through ideas, expression of positive and negative experiences, capturing thoughts that can be a source of reflection at some later time, or simply recording events during a particular part of one's life journey.

Case Study

At each of the stages of Diane Brady's illness, journaling can be helpful as described above. Careful assessment will help the nurse identify the proper time to introduce the idea of journaling. For patients who are angry or depressed, identification and then expression of feelings can begin the process of healing, acceptance, and peacefulness.

Resources:

Mauk, K., & Schmidt, N. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott & Williams.

Taylor , E.J. (2002). Spiritual care : Nursing theory, research and practice. Upper Saddle River , NJ : Prentice Hall.