Journaled myself into depression was exactly what I did. I actively try to think about what’s going on daily now and I have seen a healthier response. Thanks Dan
I journalled every single day from 2005 to 2007. It did absolutely nothing for me whatsoever. Changing my mindset & allowing emotions to surface & sitting with them bubbling away in awareness has given me the biggest progress in 24 years of tms
I have been doing the TMS work since August. I first found Nicole. Then found you through one of her podcasts. I didn’t truly get relief until I started using your indifference and soothing tools. Not giving attention or energy to my pain and shifting my attention to something else has made all the difference. Also...I’ve listened to most of your videos since August and this was by far my favorite! I will be listening to it again! Thank you. Also in my journaling today I focused on gratitude and you were on the list!
I think it was Dr Schubiner that had the journaling recommendation of 3 questions daily: 1. What made you mad? 2. What made you sad? 3. What made you glad? .. A nice mix that ends with thoughts of gratitude.
Awesome Dan. I am working with a clinical psychologist and we spoke about this. They felt it was dangerous and unhealthy; meaning reliving trauma can make the trauma worse - thus pain. Focusing on what emotions are going on NOW is paramount, as well as the self. And yes positive experiences need to be acknowledged... a really great post and I needed to hear it AGAIN..
I recommend viewing journaling as a day to day activity, not necessary constantly going to the past to what happened years ago. Focus on what is making you angry now, today, and just write away. It can be magical, the amount of relief one feels when you just write away on something that is making you angry, it's like winning the argument you never had, if that makes sense. It is a great way to release it all, just write and when your'e done throw it away, no one will ever have to read it. At least for me, it's incredible and I encourage others to try it.
These are the most common sense thoughts on journaling I've ever heard. Thank you! Whenever I've tried journaling, I resurrected hurt and anger right back up from the pit of hell. Much better to consider lessons learned and all the positives in our lives. Forgive and let stuff go. Also its a good idea to give ourselves pats on back for handling difficulties to the best of our abilities.
I think so much of healing is knowledge and intuition. I use a combo of Nicole's and your work. I've watched all the videos, try to practice your mindset shifts and journal when I feel like I have a lot swirling on in the background of my mind. I think as typical 'TMS' personalities (goodist, perfectionistic, fearful), we think we have to do it 'just as we were shown/told' and we don't trust ourselves to also know what we want/need. Ive been stopping at a lake on my way to work every day. There, I spend 30-45 minutes either journaling, doing Kristen Neff's workbook on Self Compassion or Schubiner's Unearn your pain. I do whichever one of these i feel called to in that moment--if i am getting distracted by one, it means my mind is closing to it for the time being, and I try another. If nothing is sitting right, I may just intently watch one of yours/nicole's video. The more I listened to what I felt like I needed during my 'me time', the more confidence I had to actually show up and do the work every day. I quickly found myself wanting to get to my spot earlier and earlier, because I felt so much clearer and better after my sessions. Learning to RECOGNIZE intuition (that gentle pull towards our truth that we can easily brush off due to other's expectations of us, fear or simply not trusting ourselves) is the first step. Following 'that pull' has been instrumental for me in this journey. Thanks for all you do xoxo
I really resonate with that. What is working for me right now is to expel my current emotions (or have a safe space to release them) instead of repressing them. I don't believe in constantly going back in the past, over and over again either.
this was a very moving video, Dan... it got to me, of course i have given up journalling about all my traumas years ago... the part where you said 'learn the lesson' made me think back on a couple of those traumas, thinking 'what's the lesson?'... basically the lesson to take for NOW is 'don't cast your pearls before swine' but AT THE TIME, you also said that doing that was the right thing for me at the time, because i was a child!! one who needed love and to be taken care of more than i needed my pearls... thank you, Dan xoxooxoxoxox
Thank you, thank you! Found Dr. Sarno, Nicole and yourself recently. Your words resonate and feel so comforting. Sitting down to dredge up old "stuff" was creating anxiety. Keeping the yucky parts of the past alive feels counter-intuitive as a way to rewire the brain. I do believe in finding the "lessons" or "gifts" from the past as you mentioned.
It is not about journaling about the past per se. It is about monitoring aches and pains. That journaling has been useful to me, because it shows the day to day progress of interrogating aches and pains and the way we unwittingly heighten them and make them more than they are
Thank you Dan! Great video. I’ll like the past only to excavate for stories - either poignant or funny. But a great reminder to remember all the good in our lives.
Hi Dan - I definitely agree that journaling past stuff can be really counter-productive for me as well and can lead me to increased depression. I have recently worked out a daily routine for journaling that works better for me. I list 3 good things that happened first, then I journal 3 challenges I had during the day. Lastly, I look over a list of feelings and do my best to find the positive and the negative ones I feel. When I find it helpful to journal about past stuff is when I mindfully realize I'm having an extreme reaction emotionally -- I stop and try to see what the trigger was. Not often is it a past issue that causes it but when it is -- I get right into my journal and write very quickly list style ~ brain dump style and it seems to be enough to just offload it. In the past, I didn't do well in therapy where it was focused on my childhood. My counselor now is very present moment focused and helps me deal with right now! He also recommends balanced writing - being sure to include gratitude and positives in addition to the feelings like you said!!!!! I'm new to realizing I have TMS but I have journaled consistently for many years. I do believe that maybe part of the reason I had pain free times was the writing I do/did. I wouldn't want anyone to read mine since it seems to be the main place I can be fully honest. Your videos help me more than any other one single thing!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!
I've spent the last 4 months grieving a break up and going over in my mind why it's happened. Probably the cause of my flare. But I spent ages reiterating the crap stuff and why I made decision to leave the relationship. I've had to do that to stick to my resolve. It's been tough but this is probably why I'm in so much pain now. I have expressed my emotions though throughout this I think really well. Loving the snow Dan ✨🌿💖
Btw journaled today to try it and just used notes app on iPhone and voice dictated while walking. Felt therapeutic and ended with gratitude items. By the end I felt like I couldn’t imagine doing that every day!
This is why I'm nervous to start JS work. I think I would start it off as daily then when I need to as you said I don't want to either keep going over my past, I'm a positive person but somehow ended up with TMS, diagnosed as fibromyalgia from a c6-c7 car accident from back in 2010. I've also been surrounded by narcissistic family hence why my recovery hasn't been possible till now. I also found your RUclips talks far more easy to connect to than anything else besides reading Dr Sarno's books, The Great Pain Deception by Steven Ray Ozanich and Pain Free for Life by Scott Brady. Thank you, I'm definitely taking on what you advised in this video and doing that. 🙏🏽✨
I have "journaled myself into depression" multiple times. It doesn't work for me. My issue has never been that I'm unaware of my emotions. I hang onto emotions, both past and present, and need to learn a way to let them go. I haven't figured that out just yet.
@@PainFreeYou Yes, that is one of my biggest hurdles. I just dwell and dwell on all the past, present, and future "stuff" that scares, depresses, etc you name it. Yet what I have found is that most self-help books tell you to "let it go" YET do not tell you how. I once had a counselor that always said to just let it go and she frustrated me to no end because I KNOW letting go is healthy BUT HOW? A video with some effective suggestions would be wonderful. Because, when in the throws of anxiety and pain, the thoughts just swirl around and around like a merry-go-round. I realize this video was 2 years ago so I hope you get this Dan. I did listen to your video on forgiveness, resentment ... and it was insightful BUT HOW to forgive others, yourself and release?
Also, I listened to 2 of Dr Hanscom's videos and he mentioned "expressive writing" is imperative to change the neural circuits which kind of upset me. Your take on this Dan. Maybe I misunderstood something.
@@maryamighi6834 Rumination: ruclips.net/video/FXywZJaF8zQ/видео.html You don't have to believe your thoughts: ruclips.net/video/A6Z6KO7b0lE/видео.html On letting go: ruclips.net/video/9GFHj8fwgl8/видео.html ruclips.net/video/8JDIgysACG4/видео.html Anger, resentment and bitterness: ruclips.net/video/RMAGrBdTmh4/видео.html
Greetings in psychology Yes I read that-many advise to keep a diary. To get rid of negative thoughts, any depression. I've even seen in American movies that many people keep diaries. But a Russian person or another nation is already unlikely to do this - although I may be wrong. I watch your videos and record valuable information for me
I feel there is journalling and there is expressive writing. I did expressive writing as was explained by the author his name is pennebaker i think and it was life changing. However i didnt do it daily i did it once, a year ago and it helped me alot. His technique was a four day "workshop" where you take 20 minutes every day for four days writing about a topic you have an issue with. Those 4 days have helped me the rest of the year, however I didn't do the journalling anymore and still deal with some issues in my life but i still have chronic pain 😅. However i feel if did more then 4 days i think i might have less chronic pain. But god knows best The topic i wrote about which was about difficult peoole in my life has actually helped me not have resentment towards them and appreciate what good they also have. It really made me feel less of a victim But i feel dan is right like im stuck thinking i have to journal or I won't heal makes me feel like a failure and stopping the healing proccess which isnt true and thats the issue dan is talking about I think if you dont have dome guidance on how to journal its really like difficult.
Yes I got caught up in this loop of repeatedly going back to childhood and digging up what was wrong, digging out every small thing, very soon I realized it's not necessary to remove Every secret it's just to understand whatever happened in childhood, whatever now ur safe and you accept the past , when u accept ur past ur unconscious is now not fighting or afraid of any past things,it's like u acknowledge ur past stress and assure it that it was sad but now u can get over it, so ya it's not necessary to go back again and again, it's just one part of the home work,so ur mind has solved ur past, now it's a new life now, so past home work is done, DumAss 😁
Your Statement “ Journaled myself into Depression” , I felt the exact same result. I stopped and started to think positive and where I want to be.
it's a very common experience.
Me right now done the "inner work " to depression
Journaled myself into depression was exactly what I did. I actively try to think about what’s going on daily now and I have seen a healthier response. Thanks Dan
I pretty much had the same experience as you. Thanks for your comment.
I journalled every single day from 2005 to 2007. It did absolutely nothing for me whatsoever. Changing my mindset & allowing emotions to surface & sitting with them bubbling away in awareness has given me the biggest progress in 24 years of tms
Sounds like my experience. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I have been doing the TMS work since August. I first found Nicole. Then found you through one of her podcasts. I didn’t truly get relief until I started using your indifference and soothing tools. Not giving attention or energy to my pain and shifting my attention to something else has made all the difference. Also...I’ve listened to most of your videos since August and this was by far my favorite! I will be listening to it again! Thank you. Also in my journaling today I focused on gratitude and you were on the list!
Ah - thrilled that my videos and suggestions have been helpful. Thank you for your warm comments and feedback. Love it!
I think it was Dr Schubiner that had the journaling recommendation of 3 questions daily: 1. What made you mad? 2. What made you sad? 3. What made you glad? .. A nice mix that ends with thoughts of gratitude.
I like that.
Awesome Dan. I am working with a clinical psychologist and we spoke about this. They felt it was dangerous and unhealthy; meaning reliving trauma can make the trauma worse - thus pain. Focusing on what emotions are going on NOW is paramount, as well as the self. And yes positive experiences need to be acknowledged... a
really great post and I needed to hear it AGAIN..
Thanks for your kind feedback. Glad you enjoyed it.
I recommend viewing journaling as a day to day activity, not necessary constantly going to the past to what happened years ago. Focus on what is making you angry now, today, and just write away. It can be magical, the amount of relief one feels when you just write away on something that is making you angry, it's like winning the argument you never had, if that makes sense. It is a great way to release it all, just write and when your'e done throw it away, no one will ever have to read it. At least for me, it's incredible and I encourage others to try it.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Appreciate your take on it.
"The lesson is what keeps us safe" 💙
Absolutely.
These are the most common sense thoughts on journaling I've ever heard. Thank you! Whenever I've tried journaling, I resurrected hurt and anger right back up from the pit of hell. Much better to consider lessons learned and all the positives in our lives. Forgive and let stuff go. Also its a good idea to give ourselves pats on back for handling difficulties to the best of our abilities.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for sharing your perspective. :-)
Thanks Dan, one of the best videos you've made in my opinion. Weather looks great and I'm glad you're enjoying the snow!
Wow, thanks!
I think so much of healing is knowledge and intuition. I use a combo of Nicole's and your work. I've watched all the videos, try to practice your mindset shifts and journal when I feel like I have a lot swirling on in the background of my mind. I think as typical 'TMS' personalities (goodist, perfectionistic, fearful), we think we have to do it 'just as we were shown/told' and we don't trust ourselves to also know what we want/need. Ive been stopping at a lake on my way to work every day. There, I spend 30-45 minutes either journaling, doing Kristen Neff's workbook on Self Compassion or Schubiner's Unearn your pain. I do whichever one of these i feel called to in that moment--if i am getting distracted by one, it means my mind is closing to it for the time being, and I try another. If nothing is sitting right, I may just intently watch one of yours/nicole's video. The more I listened to what I felt like I needed during my 'me time', the more confidence I had to actually show up and do the work every day. I quickly found myself wanting to get to my spot earlier and earlier, because I felt so much clearer and better after my sessions. Learning to RECOGNIZE intuition (that gentle pull towards our truth that we can easily brush off due to other's expectations of us, fear or simply not trusting ourselves) is the first step. Following 'that pull' has been instrumental for me in this journey. Thanks for all you do xoxo
And thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sure it will be helpful for others.
I really resonate with that. What is working for me right now is to expel my current emotions (or have a safe space to release them) instead of repressing them. I don't believe in constantly going back in the past, over and over again either.
Glad you enjoyed my perspective. :-)
I listened somewhere
..Love yourself in all weathers ...and i really believe that a lot of us suffer because we do not love ourself
Very very true.
this was a very moving video, Dan... it got to me, of course i have given up journalling about all my traumas years ago... the part where you said 'learn the lesson' made me think back on a couple of those traumas, thinking 'what's the lesson?'... basically the lesson to take for NOW is 'don't cast your pearls before swine' but AT THE TIME, you also said that doing that was the right thing for me at the time, because i was a child!! one who needed love and to be taken care of more than i needed my pearls... thank you, Dan xoxooxoxoxox
You are so welcome Elaine!!
@@PainFreeYou xoxoxox seriously good one!!
Great video Dan, makes total sense. Thanks for braving the snow and cold for us 💖❄
Any time!
Thank you, thank you! Found Dr. Sarno, Nicole and yourself recently. Your words resonate and feel so comforting. Sitting down to dredge up old "stuff" was creating anxiety. Keeping the yucky parts of the past alive feels counter-intuitive as a way to rewire the brain. I do believe in finding the "lessons" or "gifts" from the past as you mentioned.
If we feel compelled to revisit the past, do it once. Get the lesson and let the emotional charge from that event go. You are on the right path. :-)
This is one of your most helpful videos yet, Dan. I’m taking notes and the gratitude is immeasurable!
Awesome! Thank you!
It is not about journaling about the past per se. It is about monitoring aches and pains. That journaling has been useful to me, because it shows the day to day progress of interrogating aches and pains and the way we unwittingly heighten them and make them more than they are
Thank you Dan! Great video. I’ll like the past only to excavate for stories - either poignant or funny. But a great reminder to remember all the good in our lives.
Yes. The good is good to remember too.
Great and very insightful.
Hi Dan - I definitely agree that journaling past stuff can be really counter-productive for me as well and can lead me to increased depression. I have recently worked out a daily routine for journaling that works better for me. I list 3 good things that happened first, then I journal 3 challenges I had during the day. Lastly, I look over a list of feelings and do my best to find the positive and the negative ones I feel.
When I find it helpful to journal about past stuff is when I mindfully realize I'm having an extreme reaction emotionally -- I stop and try to see what the trigger was. Not often is it a past issue that causes it but when it is -- I get right into my journal and write very quickly list style ~ brain dump style and it seems to be enough to just offload it.
In the past, I didn't do well in therapy where it was focused on my childhood. My counselor now is very present moment focused and helps me deal with right now! He also recommends balanced writing - being sure to include gratitude and positives in addition to the feelings like you said!!!!!
I'm new to realizing I have TMS but I have journaled consistently for many years. I do believe that maybe part of the reason I had pain free times was the writing I do/did. I wouldn't want anyone to read mine since it seems to be the main place I can be fully honest.
Your videos help me more than any other one single thing!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Thank you. Very humbled by your last statement. :-)
I've spent the last 4 months grieving a break up and going over in my mind why it's happened. Probably the cause of my flare. But I spent ages reiterating the crap stuff and why I made decision to leave the relationship. I've had to do that to stick to my resolve. It's been tough but this is probably why I'm in so much pain now. I have expressed my emotions though throughout this I think really well. Loving the snow Dan ✨🌿💖
Thanks for your comment and I'm sorry to hear of your breakup. Although it does sound like the right decision.
Different strokes for different folks 🤷♀️ Works wonders for me personally.
Btw journaled today to try it and just used notes app on iPhone and voice dictated while walking. Felt therapeutic and ended with gratitude items. By the end I felt like I couldn’t imagine doing that every day!
Thanks for sharing your insight and experience.
This was great and so very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
This is why I'm nervous to start JS work. I think I would start it off as daily then when I need to as you said I don't want to either keep going over my past, I'm a positive person but somehow ended up with TMS, diagnosed as fibromyalgia from a c6-c7 car accident from back in 2010. I've also been surrounded by narcissistic family hence why my recovery hasn't been possible till now. I also found your RUclips talks far more easy to connect to than anything else besides reading Dr Sarno's books, The Great Pain Deception by Steven Ray Ozanich and Pain Free for Life by Scott Brady. Thank you, I'm definitely taking on what you advised in this video and doing that. 🙏🏽✨
You are on the right track. Take a peek, I just launched a video course and group coaching program for ongoing support. PainFreeYou.com/join
I so agree with you Raj.
I have "journaled myself into depression" multiple times. It doesn't work for me. My issue has never been that I'm unaware of my emotions. I hang onto emotions, both past and present, and need to learn a way to let them go. I haven't figured that out just yet.
Yep - holding onto resentment and grudges is a big challenge for many.
@@PainFreeYou Yes, that is one of my biggest hurdles. I just dwell and dwell on all the past, present, and future "stuff" that scares, depresses, etc you name it. Yet what I have found is that most self-help books tell you to "let it go" YET do not tell you how. I once had a counselor that always said to just let it go and she frustrated me to no end because I KNOW letting go is healthy BUT HOW? A video with some effective suggestions would be wonderful. Because, when in the throws of anxiety and pain, the thoughts just swirl around and around like a merry-go-round. I realize this video was 2 years ago so I hope you get this Dan. I did listen to your video on forgiveness, resentment ... and it was insightful BUT HOW to forgive others, yourself and release?
Also, I listened to 2 of Dr Hanscom's videos and he mentioned "expressive writing" is imperative to change the neural circuits which kind of upset me. Your take on this Dan. Maybe I misunderstood something.
@@maryamighi6834
Rumination:
ruclips.net/video/FXywZJaF8zQ/видео.html
You don't have to believe your thoughts:
ruclips.net/video/A6Z6KO7b0lE/видео.html
On letting go:
ruclips.net/video/9GFHj8fwgl8/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/8JDIgysACG4/видео.html
Anger, resentment and bitterness:
ruclips.net/video/RMAGrBdTmh4/видео.html
@@PainFreeYou Dan...Molte grazie. I will watch these tonight. You are so kind to respond 😊
Greetings in psychology Yes I read that-many advise to keep a diary. To get rid of negative thoughts, any depression. I've even seen in American movies that many people keep diaries. But a Russian person or another nation is already unlikely to do this - although I may be wrong. I watch your videos and record valuable information for me
If you have symptoms, this one video summarizes my recommendations. ruclips.net/video/3vJgBnrhFt8/видео.html
I feel there is journalling and there is expressive writing. I did expressive writing as was explained by the author his name is pennebaker i think and it was life changing. However i didnt do it daily i did it once, a year ago and it helped me alot. His technique was a four day "workshop" where you take 20 minutes every day for four days writing about a topic you have an issue with. Those 4 days have helped me the rest of the year, however I didn't do the journalling anymore and still deal with some issues in my life but i still have chronic pain 😅. However i feel if did more then 4 days i think i might have less chronic pain. But god knows best
The topic i wrote about which was about difficult peoole in my life has actually helped me not have resentment towards them and appreciate what good they also have. It really made me feel less of a victim
But i feel dan is right like im stuck thinking i have to journal or I won't heal makes me feel like a failure and stopping the healing proccess which isnt true and thats the issue dan is talking about
I think if you dont have dome guidance on how to journal its really like difficult.
Remember to link the video you referred to in comments (ways to feel your emotions) x
I think this is the video he referenced: ruclips.net/video/o0DS7K0IKOs/видео.html
I updated the description for this video to include the two other videos referenced. Thanks for the reminder.
Yes I got caught up in this loop of repeatedly going back to childhood and digging up what was wrong, digging out every small thing, very soon I realized it's not necessary to remove Every secret it's just to understand whatever happened in childhood, whatever now ur safe and you accept the past , when u accept ur past ur unconscious is now not fighting or afraid of any past things,it's like u acknowledge ur past stress and assure it that it was sad but now u can get over it, so ya it's not necessary to go back again and again, it's just one part of the home work,so ur mind has solved ur past, now it's a new life now, so past home work is done, DumAss 😁
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@@PainFreeYou 🙏🙏🙏 I have been getting assurance from you