GRIEF AND LOSS JOURNALING STARTERS

HANDOUt (Adapted from H.Norman Wright-Recovering from the Losses of Life) by Denice MACKENZIE 

An Aid to Journaling:  If you have trouble getting started with journaling after a loss, look over the following list of suggested beginnings.  Find one that fits to “jump start” your writing for that day.

My biggest struggle right now is……

The thing that really gets me down is…..

The worst thing about my loss is…….

When I feel the most lonely is……..

The thing that I fear most is……

The most important thing I’ve learned is…..

The thing that keeps me from moving on is……

I seem to cry most when……

I dream most about……

I long for…….

I am grateful for.........

I heard a song that reminded me of……

I keep my loved one alive in my heart by…….

A new person I’ve come to appreciate is….

I get angry when……..

Part of the past that keeps haunting me is…….

What I’ve learned from my relationship with ___________ is…….

Guilt or regret feelings seem to come up most when…..

The experiences I miss the most are…….

New experiences I enjoy the most are…..

The changes in my life since my loss, that I least like are….. that I most like are.......

My feelings sometimes confuse me because…..

I saw, heard, smelled something today that reminded me of ….

A new hope I found today is…..

New strengths I’ve developed since my loss are…..

I feel close to God today because…..

I am angry at God today because…..

For me to find and have balance, I need to…..

I got a call or letter from a friend today that……

My friend_________had a loss today, and I was able to _____

I feel miserable about…

I feel hope that…….

I feel sad because…..

I feel scared because……

I feel hurt because…..

I felt glad to be with___________ when we were...........

A few things that I remember about __________ that really made me smile are.......

I feel happy because…….

What I will carry with me in my heart about ________ as I move forward is....................

I am a better person through knowing _________ because ..............

My heart has a  greater capacity to love others now because ...............