Appreciation Journal

It Is What It Is; An Appreciation Journal

One thing people with a mental illness/psychiatric diagnosis seem to struggle with, especially in the beginning, is that they want to be some place else along the path to recovery and they want to be there NOW. When this happens we find it hard to enjoy or appreciate where we are in life's journey. We may be angry or frustrated and unable to want to see that some things might be good about where we are.

There are scientific studies which found that when we are able to appreciate where we are in life's journey and write what we appreciate down in a journal, the people who wrote things down felt more upbeat and optimistic about what might happen in their lives. They also had fewer symptoms of illness.

People who kept gratitude journals or gratitude lists made more progress (over a two-month period) toward their personal goals, whatever their personal goals were. The goals that were studied included health, school or career and interpersonal goals.

Researchers also found that people who kept a daily appreciation or gratitude journal were more likely to have more energy, greater enthusiasm and were more focused and alert. They also were more determined.

At times in our recovery journey, especially if we are struggling with depression or are caught in a negative time, it can be hard to find things in our lives we can appreciate. There are times when it is hard to think about positive things but an appreciation journal may help us heal faster, get us up and moving or help us meet the challenges life dishes out.

The study didn't say whether the list could be digital or not. They did study lists that were written down and not just kept in our heads. When we write things down we are more likely to learn and integrate (implement) things in our lives because two different input systems are being used. When you read the list aloud three different ways of learning are being used. (You see the list, you hear the list and you actively wrote the items down.)