Healing Negative Childhood Memories With Journaling
A look back with adult eyes and a piece of paper can make a huge difference
There are a lot of things from my childhood that I remember fondly or with no real emotions at all. Then there are others that I try my best not to remember. Things like being bullied on the bus, teased for the color of my hair, or when neither of my parents was there for a drama club performance that I was so excited about.
Have you ever found yourself confronting painful memories of situations you experienced when growing up? Remembering these situations can be like re-opening old wounds and feeling the same emotions over and over again. Fortunately, you can use some very productive strategies to help you heal. One of those strategies is journaling — writing down how you feel and think.
Try these journaling techniques to help you resolve the pain of negative childhood memories:
Write about what you thought and felt
Going back in time, ponder what the negative situations were like for you. Did you feel embarrassed when Dad pointed out your teeth to people? Were you angry about Mom’s consistent efforts to make you stand up straighter and taller? Write it down.
