Why YSK?
I had a very close brush with depression few years back. It was journaling habit that saved me. Many times you wish to keep your ideas and your health to yourself (or are simply unable to share) this is where journaling can be extremely powerful tool to help yourself
Often times it was very painful to be wanting to speak to someone who could understand the pain and suffering, yet also knowing that there isn't one. It's not that my friends or my parents would shun me away from speaking out or seeking help, but because my depressed mind always circled back to the point that they cannot understand me.
Journaling allowed me to talk to the person who knew all about me; Myself.
I would write a couple of pages about things bothering me, feelings of powerlessness, and just sharing the general hopelessness. Sometimes I would re-read previous pages and it would become an exercise of trying to solve some of the problems. It was like having two different versions of myself speaking to each other. Sometimes one would speak of an issue, the other would try to find a way out, and vice versa.
Over the course of a few months, it was joined by another instance that would comment on my progress over some ideas that I had been thinking over. So, it became sort of scientific process of observation, hypothesis and experiment. At one time I would explain a problem, some time later I would myself come up with a solution that could help it, and soon I would be talking it over with myself about how good it was and suggesting changes to myself after all that experience.
My initial fight with depression has been over for many years now, but I kept journaling. It helped me lose weight, get into shape, set my own goals and start new hobbies even. One thing I want you to know is that at the current moment, I feel as though my depression is like cigarettes. I quit, but every day I still wish to start again. It means that another stressful time at work or even home has the potential to restart depression in my head, and it very nearly did.
It was journaling that alerted me to my changing mental state, enabled me to come up with a strategy to fight back and take back control of my own life.
Mental health is not like other health issues where people can see the effects on your body, your face. If someone can recognize your depression from your behavior, chances are that you have already suffered too much pain. While there are many places that can provide professional help that you may need, I admit that not everyone is in a position to seek it out - like myself. In that case, I hope that this personal experience can be a little helpful
This is all so important and insightful. You wrote it up in a way that is so clear about the value of journaling. I really need to get back into the habit of it.
Journaling was the first time I said "out loud" that I wanted to start a small business, and... I have. It was something I'd wanted to do for years and years and years and just never did, because I didn't believe I could. Getting it out of my head and exploring the why and how made such a difference.
I want to say this: I know that among science-minded people, it's common to dismiss (and mock people who use) tarot cards. "It's just random, drawing a card doesn't tell your future" (followed with the sometimes implied, sometimes said aloud: "you dumbass").
I journal in the way that you describe here OP but it can be really hard for me to get started and make it a habit. So, I often journal by using tarot. The cards don't "tell my future," I know that. But they serve as a journaling prompt that is really helpful for reflection. Does this describe me? Do I want it to? What can I do to achieve/change it? Also... they're pretty. It's nice.
Related: astrology is good for this too! Another often mocked practice. We're in the new moon in the sign Gemini yesterday/tonight. "New moons are symbolic moments of new beginnings. With a new moon in the air sign of Gemini, our mindset, ideas, opinions, what we’re curious about, and the way we communicate with others all hit the cosmic refresh button." Hmm... sounds like a pretty good prompt for journaling and reflection, huh??
If you want to start journaling, but you're having trouble getting started, and it won't make you feel self-consciously woo-woo... give it a try. Tarot and astrology don't tell your future – they can help you write it. 🌑✨
Oh, I have a story that is not much different. I am what you called science-minded person. So, you can imagine what I must be thinking about tarot cards or astrology. But I definitely do get you. Few days back I had a dream. That lead me down the rabbit hole of deciphering its meaning. It wasn't anything spectacular, just plain old random-ass dream. But dreams are pretty big in my society so there is ample material to decipher them. I picked one up at random and found out that my dream was good. That was it.
I admit that some other dream dictionary might tell me that my dream is an omen of doom, but just like yourself I took that initial meaning and wrapped it around my situation well enough that I could spend next few days in relative calm. Even though I do not believe in them at all.