Dear Diary…..

It’s no secret I love writing. Throughout my career the thing I loved the most was communication, both written and verbal.

To me communication is about connecting, making connections, renewing connections, allowing people into my life.

It’s certainly been my goal with blogging and writing articles, for a number of publications, including The Mighty.

My public writing is centred around my health journey, the mystery of it all, the onslaught of it all, the victories and the set backs. Mostly, I write in the hope my experiences might help others.

Trying To Make Sense Of It All

Writing helps me make sense of all the challenges my health issues throw at me, something both my Specialists and I are battling to do!

During one of my many hospital admissions, one of my Specialists came into my room with a concerned look on his face and asked,

” Did you murder someone in a past life, because it doesn’t seem fair to me such a lovely lady should have to deal with so much”?

I don’t know about the lovely lady part, but he was right. It doesn’t make sense many, not just me, suffer from horrific chronic diseases. There is no rhyme or reason as to why one person has perfect health and another doesn’t.

“For God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Matthew 5 v 45 NKJV Bible

So to think in terms of fair or unfair is not helpful.

In my mind to be proactive in the midst of the suffering is helpful.

This is where writing comes in and especially journaling.

The Difference Between Blogging and Journaling

Blogging is like my work, my new career. It’s a place to record “My Medical Musings” and share with others the coping mechanisms I have discovered through my own journey.

My focus is not on my story as such. My story simply allows me to provide a platform to connect with others, who are looking for ways to effectively live with their own health challenges.

It’s a “public” style of writing, even though the content is of a personal nature.

Blogging is a layer of my story I’m comfortable to share through social media, linking with other bloggers and engaging with comments on my blog posts from my readers.

It satisfies my desire to help others. Helping people is what drives me to consistently blog.

The blogging world is a writing community and it’s wonderful to be a part of it, especially the chronic illness bloggers community.

I’m actively involved with the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network, where we share our latest health journey article weekly.

More recently I’ve joined Christian blogger networks, like Grace Girls and the Salt and Light Linkup Group, where faith stories are regularly shared and writers encouraged in their work.

There is another kind of important writing I do. It’s so very different to blogging and I find it incredibly healing….Journaling.

The Joy Of Journaling

My journal is private. It’s where I bear my soul. I tell my journal anything and everything. I write frequently but not regularly. Sometimes once a month, then maybe every week for a while or I might put it aside for six months. It’s where I go when I need to release how I really feel.

It captures my highest joys, my deepest hurts, my dreams, my hopes. It is healing.

There are no rules with journaling. You can write in any style you like. No one will edit it or comment on it. It doesn’t matter if it has spelling errors or illegible writing, if you use the old fashioned method of pen and journal book.

You can draw in it, record favourite quotes, keep special cards or notes from friends, to look back on when you need encouragement.

It is your own special world and it is a wonderful thing.

In this era of online sharing where nothing seems to be “off-limits”, it is so important to keep some essence of privacy. Some place where you can just shut the door on the noise of life and allow your innermost thoughts to be heard.

Journaling allows you to do that.

It’s like a form of prayer for me. Only God knows what’s in my journal, unless I choose to share it with someone else. That’s a precious, special thing.

You don’t even need to be a “Writer” to journal. It’s for anyone.

Buying a new journal could be a little treat to yourself, especially if the romantic appeal of handwriting in a book inspires your creativity.

If you prefer to use your phone or tablet, you can journal online. There are a number of great apps available to download, for example: Journey Diary.

As you open the first page of your journal and record the day and date, an opportunity awaits to express yourself like never before. An opportunity to find a sense of peace. An opportunity to start the process of emotional healing and well-being.

With our world in the midst of a global pandemic, and many of us in self isolation/lockdown, our minds and emotions are having to somehow comprehend the most surreal of circumstances.

Journaling is a healthy way to order our thoughts, to scream in words if we need to, or just record our own private thoughts about all that is happening around us.

We are all writers, some of us publically, but all of can be private writers.

I hope you will join me in experiencing the joy of journaling, and find out for yourself just how healing it can be.

Sam xx

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”

Revelation 1v19 NIV

If you’re looking for genuine support, care, understanding and friendship, you are so welcome to join my closed Facebook support forum Medical Musings with Friends. It’s a safe place to connect with others living with chronic and complex diseases, who truly understand the daily challenges. A warm welcome awaits.

I’m a Contributor at “The Mighty”. You can check out my published articles at My Author Page

If you would like an audible version of my blog, please check out my Podcast, Medical Musings With Sam

I also write @ Blogs by Christian Women

I’m a member of the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network, the Grace Girls Facebook Group and Salt and Light Linkup Group

If you would like to read a little more about my journey, here’s the link to My Story

Please click here to read our Privacy Policy

WEGO Health Awards 2020 Best in Show: Blog Nominee