So, on my friend Lisa's blog, she posted this portion of an article that she read in the newspaper and I found it VERY interesting, so I stole it and I'm putting it on here for different readers to see....
". . .people who regularly write in diaries are more likely to suffer from headaches, sleeplessness, digestive problems and social awkwardness. Dr. Elaine Duncan of Glasco Caledonian University carried out the study to test the common belief that writing can be cathartic. 'We expected diary keepers to have some benefit,' said Dr. Duncan. Instead, they found that the diary writers had significantly more health problems than non-writers, and those who wrote about traumatic events were affected most negatively. Duncan speculated that by constantly writing about the negative events of their lives, diarists may never get over those events, and they manifest in various health disorders. 'It's probably better not to get caught in a ruminative, repetitive cycle,' she explained, adding that ' you're probably much better off if you don't write anything at all.'"
My dad and I were recently discussing the pros and cons to blogging, so mostly this is for him to read. I would love to hear others peoples opinions about blogging or writing your thoughts down in general. I will post my opinions about it all later...but go ahead and leave me comments telling me what you think the pros and cons are to writing your thoughts (especially for everyone on the internet to see).
5 comments:
I think it depends on how you use your blog. I enjoy reading over old posts accumulated over the last 2 years from my own blog because I think of it more like a scrapbook. It's got pictures and memories of all those fun and random things about my life. In general, I don't post my deepest, darkest secrets or the things that are awful. That's not for everyone to read, in my opinion. I write about those tough things in my own diary.
I use my blog as a way to keep in touch with others and record memories throughout the year. My unhappiness at my job, worry about the economy, frustrations with people, etc, I keep to myself somewhere else. Not that I can't ever complain or talk about something difficult. But keeping a diary and blogging are not the same. You've got a much bigger audience on the web than with your diary.
That's my story. And I'm stickin' to it.
hmm...well...I like blogging and like merritt said(hello out there, merritt!), it's nice to look back and see all the little things that you did. I think it is even more valuable to me because I don't keep a journal/diary and therefore don't always remember little happenings in my life. I mean, I don't really mind who looks at pictures of us or if someone knows what we did the weekend before or what not...it's nice for family and friends to be able to keep up with us and then we don't have to send a million e-mails to let people know what's going on!
AND...I really like reading other peoples blogs...like yours!
As for the artilce...I think maybe just depressed people must journal, or at least those are the ones they interviewed...sounds like people need a little Jesus!
I think journaling is helpful because I like to look back periodically and see what God has brought me through and what He has taught me. I tend to forget stuff, and when I go back and read my thoughts/prayers/feelings, it is a lot easier to remember and be grateful for the ways God has revealed himself to me, and changed me, in specific areas.
For example, some things that I journal about may be very painful and personal at the time, and then I look back months or years later, and can see more clearly how He was faithful to bring me through it. I can think of several specific instances that I might have forgotten about completely if I hadn't journaled.
As for blogging, I only blog after the fact, because then I can write about God's glory in my life. Not the depressing moments;)
So all in all, I think journaling is a healthy outlet.
I can see how blogging, when taken to the extreme, can lead to social awkwardness. Just like texting and facebook, and all the other ways people are communicating nowadays without ever looking someone face to face.
Then again, when I was at home almost 24/7 with an infant and a one year old, reading people's blogs was part of what helped me keep my sanity!! And back then, it was myspace;)
waiting to hear your thoughts!
Also, I didn't mention anything from a non-christian perspective. I suppose that would change everything because my thoughts tend to revolve around what He is doing. For the people who don't have that perspective, I can imagine things might be a bit more depressing...
I for one think it is a release for me to journal. I enjoy it a lot. It is so cool to look back over years of journals and see how you have grown, or not, and remember some of the good times! It is such a good way for me to reflect. I always think i should do it more than i do. so, that quote from lisa's page is not something that i will personally agree with.
and blogging, TOTALLY a different thing for me. I would never ever write this stuff in a blog thaat i write in my journal. that is my personal space. I enjoy reading other people's blogs to keep updated with small parts of their life. it is like sending and recieving mass email updates, but better. I enjoy it. I just have learned a lot of what NOT to say in a blog for everyone to see when there are some things that should not be everyone's business. it does though, really really bother me when people seem to write subliminol messages in their blogs. like, they need to say something to somebody, but they are to wooosssyyy to say it out loud. so, they will say it for all to see! just say what needs to be said to specific people if you are having an issue. dont blog about it. i dont want to read blogs like that, and neither does anyone else! so....people, just stick to blogging about light, surface, everyday updaates! that is my thought!!!!! :D keep blogging russo.
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