In a couple of recent blog entries, we have considered how journaling can support your sobriety and provided some ideas to help you get started. While we do believe that keeping a journal of one kind or another can help firm up your recovery, we also understand that the process might not be appealing or effective for everyone.
Maybe you fall into that category. You might be the kind of person who simply does not like to write—even if that writing is only for you. You might find the activity tedious or even stressful. And if that is the case, keeping a journal is probably not for you.
There are, however, some alternative activities that might be more up your alley and offer some or all of the benefits people experience from journaling. Let’s take a look at several of these alternatives to see if we can find an activity that is right for you in recovery.
Consider Making Collages as a Journal Alternative
It is possible you have not made a collage since your elementary school days. The activity tends to be a favorite of art teachers and little kids alike. But the process of organizing a bunch of different elements into an image or design can be really satisfying for adults, too. Making a collage engages your creativity, and it can also provide a way to process feelings or ideas you are thinking about. For example, if you use newspapers or magazines to make your collages, you can experiment with putting language together in different ways to represent your thoughts and feelings. You might also express yourself with abstract designs that reflect how you are feeling in the moment. Happily, there is no single “right” way to do collage. There are all kinds of options to explore.
Consider Your Camera Roll as a Journal Alternative
There is a good chance you have scads and scads of unorganized photos on your phone. And if you are of a certain age, you might also have scads and scads of unorganized photos in shoeboxes. Spending time sorting pictures and creating photo albums—digitally, physically, or both—can be a good stand-in for journaling. Looking through your photos can provide the opportunity to reflect on happy moments and remember things for which you are grateful. The process of organizing those photos can spark your creativity. And you may find yourself taking new photographs—which is an artistic endeavor in and of itself—with this process in mind, essentially creating a photo journal over time.
Consider Your Memory Collection as a Journal Alternative
In the same way that you might have boxes of photos around, you might have boxes or drawers filled with various souvenirs from trips or other activities you have enjoyed. Maybe you have hung on to ticket stubs from your favorite movies. Maybe you have postcards from places you have visited. Maybe you have collected pins or other reminders of special times. Taking the time to look through these memories can help you process thoughts and feelings while also thinking about the kinds of things that truly bring you joy. You could find ways to display these memories—options include frames, scrapbooks, shadow boxes, and more—so that you can always access the positive feelings associated with them. Over time, this might become a process you find yourself enjoying any time you gather souvenirs—and that can support your mental health and your sobriety.
Find the Right Activity for You and Your Recovery
While we have provided some specific examples of some things you could try in place of journaling, the most important thing is that you find an activity (or activities) that supports your ongoing sobriety. It is possible that we still have not hit upon anything that appeals to you, and that is just fine. Again, you should find and pursue activities that serve you well in recovery.
We Are Always Here to Help You Get Sober
The team at French Creek Recovery Center—located in Meadville, Pennsylvania—is always ready to help individuals who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. We provide personalized treatment that includes medically supervised detoxification, a rehabilitation program that includes individual and group therapy sessions, and a continuum of care that helps you start your recovery journey with confidence.
We also offer treatment for mental health disorders—including depression, trauma-centered issues, and anxiety—that may be entangled with your substance use disorder. This is important because good mental health and sobriety go hand in hand.
When you are ready to make a change for the better, we are ready to help. Reclaiming your sobriety enables you to reclaim your life—and there is nothing better than that.