5-Day Journaling Exercise: Pain, What Is It Good For? Reflection, Say It Again.
Bonus: Feeling Less Pain (If you’ve suffered and injury, have had surgery. If this does not apply to you skip to Day 1.)
Imagine waking up tomorrow with noticeably less pain.
What are you afraid of?
How will this impact your life, now and in the future?
Describe a scenario in which one of your fears happens, and the outcome is okay.
Write a future scene in which you’re healed and all that worry was unnecessary.
Close your eyes and take 5 deep breaths. In through your nose and long exhales through your mouth.
Day 1: A Body Inventory
Map your body and note areas of tension, pain, or numbness.
Where are they?
When did you notice them first or most?
What emotions feel associated to the pain?
Day 2: Sticks, Stones, and Words
What words, labels, or comments have stayed with me longer than I expected?
Who said them?
How old was I?
Did I dismiss them at the time?
Do I feel them in my body now? If so, where?
Day 3: Rubber and Glue
In what ways am I resilient — and in what ways do I absorb more than I realize?
When do I “bounce back” quickly?
When do things quietly stick?
What emotions do I tend to hold instead of express?
Day 4: The Trigger Moment
Recall a recent moment when pain flared suddenly.
What happened just before?
What was said — or not said?
What emotion was present but unspoken?
Has that happened before? Did you recognize it at the time?
Day 5: Early Lessons
What emotional “wisdom” did I receive growing up?
What was I told about feelings, toughness, or sensitivity?
Think of a situation or a relationship from your youth. What would you tell your younger self to do to more effectively manage that experience?
How would it change how you managed those situations and relationships as an adult?