Write what is on your mind and in your heart. While in eating disorder recovery, you can write poems, stories, lists, letters to others, letters to the eating disorder, prayers, song lyrics or whatever else comes to mind. Copy meaningful quotes or verses into your journal. Record your thoughts, whether positive or troubling, and your emotions, whether uplifting or depressing. There are no rules to journaling, so you don’t have to worry about doing it right.
Maybe you have never written in a journal and feel hesitant to try it. If so, please read further. Let me encourage you to at least give it a try. It may not be for everyone, but how will you know if it is for you or not if you don’t attempt it?
If you are afraid someone will read your journal, you can lock it in a safe place. If you journal on the computer, you can use a flash drive and store that in a safe place. Just don’t let your fear of someone else reading what you’ve written stop you from trying to journal.
Now that we have addressed practical matters involved with journaling, what does journaling have to do with eating disorder recovery? First of all, by journaling, you are exposing your thoughts and emotions to yourself. You may be surprised at the words you see. These words can reveal concerns or even helpful insights that you didn’t realize were there. Then you can take those concerns and insights to God in prayer. He is always there to listen. Not only that, He understands you. Claim His promise in Ps. 147:5. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. And what better person to talk to than One who is mighty in power. Not only can He understand you, but He can also help you with whatever concerns surface while you write in your journal.
Another benefit of journaling in eating disorder recovery is that you can use your journal to pen written prayers. You may also use it to record what God says to you during your conversations with Him. An important part of prayer is listening to God. Imagine having a written record of what He said to you as you prayed about your eating disorder or even other matters. How meaningful to look back on during the challenging times. In addition, it would show your history together as He walked with you and strengthened you during your eating disorder recovery.
Why not give journaling a try? You can write whatever you like and keep it to yourself. Plus, you can take these words and concerns to God. Let journaling be your avenue to a closer walk with Him while you go through the process of eating disorder recovery.