[stylist] The value of journaling

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Bill, (You make a very good argument for a journal! MMM, will I start one;
should do it?)

Thanks  

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bill Outman
via stylist
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2014 10:35 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] The value of journaling

The Value of Journaling 

 

I had an experience aboutjournaling that increased my appreciation of its
value.  

 

About a month and a half ago I had a home accident in which I had a severe
cut on my left leg.  It was the result of a mishap with my couch.  I got up
from it and accidentally kicked out the footrest.  I hadn't anticipated this
would happen, and the sharp metal underside of the footrest cut my leg.  

 

Since October of last year I have been keeping a journal of events an
thoughts that come to me during the day.  A lot of the time I have made note
of mundane tasks just to keep myself on track and to motivate myself.  Every
few days I try to review what I have written so I can get some perspective
on what is occurring and to do some proofreading and editing of the text.  I
usually go over the entire month's record near the beginning of the new
month.  Occasionally I have used the journals to look back several months
and refresh my perspective on something.  

 

I usually have a very good memory of things that are happening but this last
month or so was rather stressful, so although the memory was pretty good the
perspective wasn't as sharp.  That is where having kept the journal was
helpful.  

 

Last week I had my regular consultation with my primary care physician and
needed to have notes ready for the discussion, so I could give a narrative
of how the leg injury treatment had proceeded.  Having the journal made it
possible for me to very accurately describe the course of the treatment such
as how the initial observation went and when and how home health visits
occurred.  The series of events even included a premature discharge before
the wound was sufficiently healed.  At one point I had a visit from my
mother who is a nurse.  I needed some home health care as I needed to have
the wound examined and cleaned, as well as having the bandage wrap changed
periodically.  This might have proven difficult for me to do myself as
someone who is totally blind, and the care was important in order to prevent
an infection from developing, particularly in view of my type 2 diabetes.
Transportation was a factor both in the need for home health and the fact I
didn't get treatment as quickly as would have been ideal.  While I live in
an apartment complex I do not know very many of the neighbors well, so I
couldn't really count on assistance from them.  

 

Having the journal to work from allowed me to write short notes on my laptop
which I took with me.  This made the conversation run more smoothly.  I was
glad I had done this.  

 

What I believe journaling can do is not only help us remember what is
happening, but can aid in seeing the perspective that is larger than the
immediate moment, which stress can sometimes cloud.  

 

 

Bill Outman 

 



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