I am thinking about writing a journal or BLOG or even a diary of events, feelings and happenings in my life. I only say this now because I am just starting my mystery tour. I just dont know whats going to hapen, if anything and how that may feel..

My question is has anyone else done this and does it help...

From my experience, it does help a lot.  About a few months before I first began my transition, I began keeping a live journal page with my feelings, because it was paingful to just keep them all bottled up inside of me.  I feel that by writing things down in keeping a journal, diary or blog can help you sort out your feelings, and come to understand yourself a bit more. 

Quote from: Lucy on February 14, 2007, 12:34:41 PM
I am thinking about writing a journal or BLOG or even a diary of events, feelings and happenings in my life. I only say this now because I am just starting my mystery tour. I just dont know whats going to hapen, if anything and how that may feel..

My question is has anyone else done this and does it help...

My journal has been invaluable to me. It doesn't judge, it doesn't get hurt feelings... you can vent and scream and cry and laugh and it just...

LISTENS.

And REMEMBERS.

So months or years later, it's often helpful to go back and see how you felt Once Upon A Time, to see how much you've changed - especially when you're starting to feel that NOTHING has changed. When you're feeling down and suicidal, you can see OTHER times you felt down, and see that things DID get better.

Having to put things down in words also helps me clarify my thoughts sometimes... just the process of translating thoughts into words can bring to light ideas and points you may have missed otherwise.

Kate

staying on the subject Debbie. Do you think it should be a private or public show of what really is happening.

That is up to you.  Some people would prefer a private journal, others don't seem to mind putting their feelings out whre others can read them.  I have gotten a lot of good advice from my friends who have read my LJ.  You could keep an offline diary as well for more sensitive things (I have done that too).  Both can also be a good tool to have for a therapist, too, as my LJ entries have helped me there as well.  But mostly it should be for you.

Thank you both for your ideas, I need to have a long hard think here. I have offered to do a blog here in Susan's Place. Just a once a week up date on feelings, dates, happenings. Everything really. That may help others in the futor.

But a personal journal, that sounds like a great idea. Just one problem, how do I stop my SO having a sneeky peek. she has no idea yet.

any more of you out there what to say something or offer advice...

go on please Im listening

I had that same worry after I started writing in a book-type diary, so I hid my personal journal where I thought no one would find it, because they'd have no reason to look for it there...online.  But when I came out to my brother, he already knew because he stumbled onto my livejournal page...    (which in retrospect, should have been a "friends only" page so he couldn't have read it...we live and learn...    )

if im doing a blog i want the other ot be in hard back. Paper with scribbles and smilies, crossing out. The pure essence on writing in its simplist format.

That sounds great to me.

Still thinking aboout it..


ANY MORE IDEAS

My therapist suggested I write in a journal.  It has helped me to get things out in the open, instead of dwelling on them in my mind.

I keep a pad of paper next to the bed so I can jot down things I need to write when I wake up at night.

Sarah L.

OK Thats quite a good idea thanks. Ive not started theropy yet, thats why im asking all these questions.

Lucy,
  I keep a blog though I haven't updated it lately only so others can see there is hope and all that. However, having read much of your posts and admitting I may have missed one or two by mistake. I implore you to be honest with your SO, that is only right and fair to both of you. Yes it is scary but absolutely neccessary. I was shaking out of my undies when I talked to my wife. I approached it in a way I felt would not threaten her and voila, I cried and she talked to calm me down and here we are stronger than before and closer. All I am saying is if you do a journal or blog and start dressing and all you risk her finding out without understanding and you short out your possibilities of a successful marriage. I am not saying all marriages survivr but there are a high high number that do. Please do it right and give yourself a chance to a successful marriage through this. Good luck,
                               Kim   

kim as soon as I have been to theropy and I am adviced to tell. I will. I love her and wont do anything to harm her.

trust me please..

Yes, keep a journal.  If you want to keep it online, you can do that.  Many online blogs offer the option to keep it private to only the friends you wish.  Of course, a blog in the forum here is visible to anyone.

I keep a journal.  Everything I write goes into it.  I rarely discuss most day to day things in it.  It's more of an essay collection.

Yes, keep a journal.  It's helpful to be able to go back and remember those sweet and wonderful times.... as well as the difficult ones.  And who knows.... someday you might want to write a book about yourself. 

Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on February 14, 2007, 03:57:39 PM
Yes, keep a journal.  If you want to keep it online, you can do that.  Many online blogs offer the option to keep it private to only the friends you wish.  Of course, a blog in the forum here is visible to anyone.

I keep a journal.  Everything I write goes into it.  I rarely discuss most day to day things in it.  It's more of an essay collection.

Yes, keep a journal.  It's helpful to be able to go back and remember those sweet and wonderful times.... as well as the difficult ones.  And who knows.... someday you might want to write a book about yourself. 

Cindi

Once again Cindi
thank you.
I've had a lot of thinking to do over the last few days. "Susan's Place" has really saved me from going mad. REALLY. Im not sure what is going to happen once I start theropy and a little frightened of the prospect, that is why a private journal was decided, but I like the idea of writing it all down on paper, that way you can see the emotion that went behind it in the hand-writing and doodles.

The Blog On your site was decided so that I can keep intouch with all my new friends, the people that have helped me somuch in so little time. You never know what I have to say in my blog way help the next stray that falls at your door.

Many many thank yous