The purpose of SHARED JOURNALING is to understand the need that is being described by feelings or emotions. This specific tool of communication is a way of objectifying our emotions. Too often our thoughts and feelings are flowing in a free and interconnected way. In times of transition and stress it is difficult to separate the two and the intensity can increase. Sometimes many emotions can be present at the same time. As a result, emotion oftentimes turns into heated debate or internalized hostility and we fail to reach a rational approach to the issue or situation.
SHARED JOURNALING entails writing. Getting it down on paper. This does not mean that we spend a great deal of time writing paragraphs about our feelings and emotions. On the contrary, it is rather a structured approach to write a short description of the issue and then describe very clearly the emotions that accompany the issue. Guidelines help us describe our emotions fully.
Writing can be a very effective way to get into the emotions of an issue and what should be communicated before we start talking. Without this preparation, it is very easy to get defensive or stop listening because we are trying to formulate our responses.
The process of Shared Journaling is a 1 day workshop, and includes all materials.
