In recent entries—including this one and this one—we have written about how keeping a journal can be a good way to support your mental health, and we have provided some prompts to get you started. We have identified a number of different kinds of journaling you might do, but each of our suggestions has had one thing in common: They have all involved writing things down.
It is possible, however, that keeping a written journal does not appeal to you for one reason or another. If that is the case, it might seem like journaling simply is not a useful activity for you. We would like to suggest, however, that there are alternatives to traditional written journals that might serve you—and your mental health—better.
Let’s take a look at some journaling options that might be right for you.
The Photo Journal
There was a time when taking photographs involved quite a bit more effort than it does today. You had to lug around a camera, for one thing. And if you were not using a camera that popped out photos right away, you had to take them somewhere to get developed and then pick them up when they were done before you could see what you had captured.
These days, of course, most of us have cameras built right into our cellphones—and our cellphones are always with us. That means we can take photos of anything and everything all the time. In fact, some recent statistics suggest that the typical smartphone user has nearly 2,800 photos in their camera roll (another stat that caught our eye: around 92 million selfies are taken each day around the world).
Often those all those photos just pile up and we don’t really think about them. But your camera roll is a wonderful source of material for a photo journal. You could, for example, pick a photo or two each day and—if you are up for just a bit of writing–create captions about what is pictured or how the photo makes you feel. Or you could make photo albums (physical or digital) that collect images that evoke certain emotions or ideas for you. Spending time really looking at your photos can be a good way to explore your thoughts, emotions, and themes suggested by what you tend to snap images of.
The Souvenir Journal
Do you have a drawer or a box filled with various mementos from important moments in your life? Maybe you have postcards from various vacations. Perhaps you have ticket stubs from concerts or other performances you have attended over the years. Maybe you have collected souvenir pins or pressed pennies from attractions you have visited.
No matter what you have gathered up, odds are good that these objects spark all kinds of emotions and memories when you spend time looking at them. Time spent organizing them in one way or another—by when you got, by place, by the feeling they invoke, or what have you—is a great alternative to traditional journaling. Reflecting on what each souvenir represents for you can be a powerful practice.
The Art Journal
Maybe you do not like to write, but you do like to sketch or paint or collage, or simply doodle. If that is the case, an art journal is a great option for you. Many people connect images with thoughts and feelings more easily than they can find words to describe them.
When it comes to an art journal—just like a written journal—there are no rules. Use a pen or a pencil or crayons, or watercolors. Flip through old magazines or newspapers you have sitting around to find images that speak to you and can be combined in a collage. No matter how you create it, the art you make can help you process your emotions and thoughts. The act of creation can also simply be a good way to relax and set aside the stresses of your day. You may find that you eventually want to share something you create with others, but the important thing to remember is that your art journal is for you. Creating a masterpiece is not required.
We Are Here to Help You Improve Your Mental Health
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health provides personalized treatment for individuals struggling with a range of mental health challenges—and we are able to treat substance use disorders as well. Our work is evidence-based, but we never fall back on cookie-cutter solutions because we understand that each individual is unique and has needs that are specific to their situation. You can count on our combination of experience, expertise, and empathy to help you improve your mental health and maintain those improvements over time.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient care, our team is ready and able to help you reclaim hopefulness and renew balance in your life. When you need to make a change, we are here to help you make it happen.
