The Role of Journaling in Grief and Recovery |
Grief doesn’t follow a script. Whether you’ve lost someone suddenly or are navigating the slow unraveling that follows a major life change, it can be hard to find space for your emotions, let alone make sense of them.
That’s where journaling comes in. This commonly therapist-recommended tool has been shown to ease stress, clarify emotions, and support long-term healing. And, no, it doesn't have to be done daily to make a difference.
Most people think journaling means keeping a daily diary. In reality, it’s much broader. Journaling can be structured or loose, emotional or observational. It might be a list of what’s missing or a vision of what you wish could happen.
One popular method gaining traction on TikTok is the “Best Case Scenario” prompt. You imagine an upcoming event like a first date or a difficult family gathering, and write out how you want it to go. The idea isn’t to ignore real risks. It’s to give your brain permission to imagine positive outcomes, not just negative ones. This practice is especially helpful if you’re prone to catastrophizing (the tendency to assume the worst will happen), which is common during times of grief and anxiety.
Journaling isn’t just a feel-good wellness trend;........