I tend to ruminate and since I do that, I research and research. I think the Happiness Box Project is a form of a journal, just not in book form.
I Googled “Journaling Doesn’t Work For Me” and it took me to this site. I read through it and I believe The Happiness Box Project counts as Life Affirming Writing:
Choose topics to cheer you on and lift you up. It’s too easy to spend time off the page with the inner critic, self-doubt or the voice of ED. This is a chance to break free. Write about
- Triumphs of recovery
- Successes of the week
- Gratitude
- Your assets
- Steps taken forward in your life
I used to have a private blog that I used as a diary. Dead Journal never really took off and there are only a few members since in 2003 the creators limited it to people who already had journals could invite others. I still have that blog, it’s friend’s only, and as of three years ago, I only had one follower. I’ve meant to update it more often, but I think my Happiness Box Project helps.
I would rather have someone tell me, “I’m sorry, I just have too much on my plate and I can’t really handle your emotions right now, as I’m going through something” instead of saying my journaling method doesn’t work and maybe I should try prompts. I still want to talk to people and I still want a dialog of things that are bothering one another.
Corporate at my job has started this COVID-19 Zoom chat and they give tips every weekday of how to handle the anxiety and gives us a safe space to talk. I find this really helpful and it’s nice to talk in a safe space.
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
I’m glad you like the written piece I sent you, a message to humans from COVID- 19. I clicked the link to that other site and read it with great interest. I can understand how writing about your painful experiences can bring you down and make you feel worse for having expressed it. When I am depressed or angry I use music, humor and creative writing to pull myself out of the doldrums. You and I are also familiar with reframing because we both practice the technique often. If you write about painful experiences or things that are upsetting you in the present, don’t just stop there. Balance the scales by focusing on the positive. Write your way out of your pain and depression by acknowledging the resourceful part of you that has learned to more elegantly and successfully handle with those situations that brought you down and kept you down in the past. Tap into your personal power. Write affirmations about your strength and courage. By the time you have done this you will be feeling empowered instead of down and depressed.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
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