Journaling Through Cancer

Journaling Through Cancer
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash

A cancer diagnosis can be difficult, even exhausting to process.  The treatment regimen is often physically and emotionally grueling. And it can be scary and overwhelming especially for kids. But research has found that putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard can be a powerful therapeutic tool. Journaling through cancer provides a vehicle for reflection and for sorting out one’s inner most thoughts. It’s a constructive way for your child to get feelings and emotions off their mind and onto paper. In fact, it can be an important part of self-care. Particularly as your child weaves through the uncertainty and fear that cancer characteristically fosters.

A Voice to Thoughts

Journaling through cancer gives a voice to thoughts which may be difficult to express out loud. As a matter of fact, Mikey Friedman, Mikey’s Way founder, often journaled during his own cancer journey. By putting pen to paper, he expressed his feelings and thoughts, recording his life as it unfolded. Mikey expressed himself through the written word, provided a coping mechanism throughout his cancer journey. 

Journaling Through Cancer Can Be Emotionally Healing

Journaling is a form of expressive writing that can be particularly beneficial. According to Coping Magazine, “Research shows that expressive writing can help reduce side effects, improve quality of life and decrease medical visits for people with cancer.” During times of distress, writing can be emotionally healing. “Writing down the things that are worrying you can actually reduce your anxiety. This can be particularly beneficial before bedtime, as it might just help you sleep better.”

How To Journal Through Cancer

There is no right or wrong way to journal.  It’s whatever your child chooses it to be. It can be a story, a poem, random thoughts, or ideas. It can be a record of feelings, memories, hopes and dreams. But the key thing to remember is that the content is what’s important, not spelling or grammar. And the journal is just for your child. It is for their eyes only. So, they can make mistakes, cross out words, scribble, doodle, draw and write whatever they want without worrying about anyone else seeing their work.

There are many different types of journaling.  Here’s a few different methods you might want to suggest to your child to get them going on journaling through cancer:

  • Stream-of-consciousness writing:  Your child may want to try writing down everything that comes to mind.  This free form of writing reflects raw thoughts, observations, and emotions. It may be nonsensical and that’s ok!
  • Art journaling: The idea is to incorporate something visual to express feelings and thoughts. They can make a collage, draw, doodle or scrapbook.
  • Dream journaling: Does your child want to recall dreams? Suggest that they write down the first two or three words that come to mind as soon as they wake up.
  • Gratitude journaling:  It may help your child to focus on the positive aspects of their life by writing down everything that they are grateful for.
  • Humor journaling:  Comedic outlets can help improve anyone’s mood.  So, suggest your child write about something that tickled their funny bone. Or look for the humor in a situation and write about it.

What Journal to Get

Whether you’re looking for a journal for a tween, a young child, boy or a girl, you’ll find lots of options available on-line and in bookstores.  A general writing journal is probably the journal you’re most familiar with. It’s often referred to as a plain journal for kids, because these journals tend to be filled with blank pages, either lined or unlined. But there are also many children’s journals available for creative writing or drawing prompts, sketching, photography, art journals, and even nature and collage journals!

Instead of putting pen to paper, your child may prefer to put finger to keyboard to record their thoughts and feelings. A laptop like the ones that Mikey’s Way distributes are ideal because they are portable and can go anywhere with your child.

Reference:

Coping with Cancer magazine, Journaling Your Way Through Cancer How You Can Use Expressive Writing to Promote Emotional Healing: Alison Snow, PhD, LCSW-R, OSW-C and Emily Rubin, MFA November/December 2020.