Dr. Jacob's Presentations In March, 2009, Dr. Jacobs presented a four part Webinar on Writing for Emotional Balance with Ruth Folit, creator of LifeJournal.com. This is the website associated with the only journaling software that has been invented to help journalers really explore the writing process and monitor their own lives. For further information visit www.LifeJournal.com
Dr Jacobs also presented at “The Journal Conference 2008:The Power of Writing. “The conference took place in Denver and included presentations by the biggest names and innovators in the journal therapy field.For more information, go to journaltherapy.com.
If you have questions about Journalers' Corner topics or would like to submit ideas for the column, please click here to contact Dr. Beth Jacobs. She is also available for individual consultation on journaling topics. She may not be able to answer all questions, but will make every effort to respond to as many as possible.
Writing Ideas To Make the Most of Solitude
Having too much solitude is hard on people, but many people avoid having any time at all to themselves.Whether living alone or not, we all have a tendency to over-structure and over-populate our days.We seem to feel like we will fall into some kind of endless uncertainty without a lot of distraction and activity.People who are single or live alone can sometimes be aware of this in a particularly direct way.
But solitude does not necessarily mean emptiness or blankness.Being alone refuels people.Solitude is a source of energy, inspiration, relief and clarity if it is approached without fear and with a few tools for self-expression.A journal is a time-tested, readily available mode of self-expression.Writing can turn being alone into a creative and enjoyable process.
This column will regularly give suggestions for different ways to approach and use journals, but the ideas presented can apply to other means of self-expression.For more “right-hemisphered” types, a sketchbook can serve all the same functions and some people can benefit from just thinking about some of these ideas with music they like in the background.Solitude is the condition for self-expression, self-expression is incredibly valuable and there are many ways to go about it.
Many people first think about a journal as a place to record events and feelings.That starting point can branch off in many directions.A journal can steady you in the present moment or help you relive the past or try to pitch a vision for your future. A journal can define feelings, vent feelings, contain feelings, or prepare feelings for communication to other people.A journal can unravel and explore, or contain and organize.A journal can stir things up or soothe.A journal can be like a companion or an annex for your own mind.It is transitional and encompasses all these uses paradoxically.
Every month the JOURNALERS’ CORNER will discuss an angle or purpose in self-expression and give some exercises to turn the ideas into experiences. A broader base of personal creativity will enrich the experience of solitude and that can only enrich our selves and lives.
