Writing the Chapters of Your Life: Surprising Insights Using This Special Journaling Technique

List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used to quickly jot down a numbered record on topics like "my beliefs," "my pet peeves," "the things I hate about myself," or "my strengths." However, there's a special type of list technique that moves beyond a simple itemization and into the realm of significant self-awareness.

This special technijque has several names, including table-of-contents, life chapters, and stepping-stones, the latter term used by journaling expert, Ira Progoff. Using this technique the writer lists their most important life events, as though they were chapter headings in an autobiography. Progoff and other suggest keeping the number of items to around a dozen, to ensure the inclusion of only major events.

One writer's listed these items:

1. Brother died when I was three years old.

2. Mom went into the hospital when I was five, and I didn't know why or when she would come home.

3. Grandma died when I was ten, and because of my age they wouldn't let me go to the hospital and see her.

4. Dad died of a sudden heart attack when I was 15. I was with him but couldn't save his life.

5. I fell in love but we lived in different cities and things just never seemed to work out.

6. My step-father died-how could this happen?

7. My long-distance love affair ended.

8. I fell in love again and thought it was for a lifetime.

9. I got married and was happy, at least for a long time.

10. I got divorced. It wasn't for a lifetime.

Is there any doubt that this journal-writer has major issues concerning death and other ending issues? And, do you notice the lack of happy events? After this diarist created the stepping stones, she then wrote about each, realizing how many unresolved issues she carried with her-and how they impacted her ability to be happy.

As you do this exercise several times over months or years, you'll find your choice of events changing. Sometimes your first love affair is the most important thing on the list, and other times it won't make the top 10 or 12 at all. Why? Because the list reflects the issues that cry out for attention.

When you're comfortable with this technique, try using it for specific topics, like the stepping stones of your weight issues, or relationships, or spiritual growth. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Good writing!

Copyright 2004 Patti Testerman
Journal Genie, The Website That Talks Back
http://www.journalgenie.com

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and the resource box is left unchanged. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

About The Author

Patti Testerman is content manager at JournalGenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Discover self-defeating patterns, find better ways to communicate in relationships. Contact her at mailto:patti@journalgenie.com

---

Imagine The Imagination

Imagine a three hundred page book was in the author's... Read More

Writing Internal Newsletters: How to Build Your Network and Your Reputation

To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More

Five Tips to Find More Time for Your Writing Life

When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More

Getting To Know Your Characters

Interesting characters that readers care about are the most important... Read More

Celebrating Writing and Life

Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a... Read More

Do You Plot With Your Character In Mind?

Creative Writing Tips ?You are plotting the story. You write... Read More

Becoming the Total Package

Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More

8 Tell-Tale Signs That Forecast Writing Success!

'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More

Groundbreaking Work

Every writer knows that the urge to write is not... Read More

The Value of Adding Images to Technical Documentation

It's cliché, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More

Top 10 Common English Goofs by Web Authors

In reviewing and browsing web sites over the years, I... Read More

How You Can Find Freelance Editing Jobs

Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More

Aesop, Abraham Lincoln, and You

May I tell you about a writing technique shared by... Read More

Where to Look for Your Next Project when You?re Writing for Profit

When my first book "Starting Your Own Business" was published... Read More

How to Have an Effective Writing Group

The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories... Read More

Writing with a Sense of Adventure

We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More

Comma Usage Made Simple

Don't they drive you nuts?You can visit all the rules... Read More

On Giving and Receiving Feedback

Writing is a personal and introspective process. To share with... Read More

Writing For the Joy of It

As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More

Writing Business Letters That Get The Job Done

Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional... Read More

Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters ? Good Ideas for Stories

The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea... Read More

Business Writing: 10 Great Authors

Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More

Screenwriting ? Five Golden Insights

Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More

Strategies For Finding Topics To Write About

What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More

Scenes and Structure

Beginning writers often tend to think of a book as... Read More

How to Publish a Book: Key Differences Between Publishing and Self Publishing

For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 6 of 6

SALE, SAIL Sale is either offering something for purchase... Read More

Become the Writer You Always Dreamed of Being

So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More

Write Your Life

Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More

Writing is a Discipline

If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she... Read More

7 Ways to Turn Readers Into Friends

Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a... Read More

Top Ten Tips (Part 2)

Golden Rules For New Writers - Things you need to... Read More

Learn to Write Like a Pro

Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More