Don't bite, write!

The arrival of divorce papers on Valentines day made me want to run to the nearest fast food place for a massive pig-out session. It's how I handled stress in the past and it's not an easy habit to break. Nothing sends me running for comfort food like emotional stress. It's the reason I'm overweight. I can trace every ounce of fat to some event that caused my emotions to spin out of control. Thankfully, I am learning new ways to overcome this destructive pattern. One I've found extremely helpful is journal writing.

You won't find any lovely inspiring prose on the pages of my personal diary this week. It's raw, bitter, emotional, and ugly stuff. I cringe when I think about the possibility of my children reading it one day, and then I realize how silly that is. I'm not going to worry about who reads this stuff when I'm dead and gone. Besides, it's okay to be human, and we never know when our honesty and vulnerability will help someone else who is struggling with a similar issue.

There's such a freedom in sitting down and getting real about your thoughts and feelings. It's an instant sense of release. Not only is it soothing to release those pent up emotions, I feel positive because I know I'm choosing to change. I'm breaking free from the destructive habit of binge eating and that feels good. 

You can journal on your computer, in a notebook, or simply on a plain piece of paper. Whatever method works for you is fine. I prefer the old-fashioned pen and journal. I enjoy picking out a new journal when I fill up my old one. There's so many pretty and inexpensive ones to choose from. I like those with scripture-lined pages. Not only am I releasing my frustrations, I'm encouraged and inspired by the short scripture passages on each page, and they are often exactly what I need that day. 

The next time you feel overcome by emotions and find yourself running to the cupboard or refrigerator, I hope you give journaling a try. I think you'll find it to be a positive way to cope with out-of-control feelings.  Any bad habit should be replaced with something new and uplifting. Learning to express negative thoughts on paper can set you on your way to freedom from habitual overeating. Remember, don't bite, write!