Why should you journal about your unplanned pregnancy? We’re glad you asked.
A big life change, like a surprise pregnancy, can throw your mind into chaos. When you are overwhelmed by your situation and what it means for your future, it can be hard to make a confident, informed decision.
This blog will show how journaling can bring mental clarity and help you determine the best next steps for your pregnancy.
4 reasons to start journaling about your unplanned pregnancy
1. It helps you process your feelings
When you push your emotions away or try to work through them in your head, they become a jumbled mess. But when you journal, you are forced to put your thoughts into words. As you process your situation and what you are feeling about it, you can start to name the emotions you’re experiencing.
Journal about your surprise pregnancy to understand how you feel, what you truly want, and what you should do next.
2. Journaling can reduce anxiety and stress
Research has shown that writing in a journal can improve your mental health. As you process your thoughts and feelings on paper, they don’t weigh as heavily on your mind.
Sharing what you’re going through, even if no one else reads it, is a great way to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. The more you write about it, the easier it will be to separate fact from fiction. You can spot when fear is making you feel powerless, even when you have options and resources within reach.
Plus, journaling frequently can offer better results. Grab a pen and your journal on a regular basis to find hope and relief.
3. You can better understand your challenges
Emotions aren’t the only things that are easier to understand on paper. Writing down your challenges can help you find solutions to problems that seem impossible in your head. It can also reveal which obstacles need attention and which ones are less important than you thought.
Start by writing a list of the challenges that are keeping you up at night. Maybe you’re worried about how a pregnancy will affect school or work. You could worry that sharing the news will push your partner, family, or friends away. Perhaps you feel like you aren’t ready to be a parent, or that the financial burden will be too heavy.
Once you’ve written all of your worries, go through the list one by one. Ask yourself:
- Why am I worried about this? Is this a real challenge or something I’m afraid will happen?
- What is the worst-case scenario for this problem? What is the best case? How would I handle either one?
- Who can I talk to about this worry? Could my mom, sister, partner, friend, mentor, or other trusted person give me advice or help me overcome it?
- Are there resources that can help me solve this challenge? How can I learn more about these options?
- Would this problem stop me from making the choice I want to make for my pregnancy? How can I make sure that doesn’t happen?
It’s also important to remember that your partner is responsible for this pregnancy too. No matter what you’re facing, you’re not in this alone. Whether you need to reach out to him, a trusted loved one, or even the support of an organization such as Thrive Orlando, you can always find the help you need.
4. You can track your pregnancy journey
Even if you don’t plan to keep your pregnancy, you may want to remember the reasoning behind this decision. More importantly, feelings and desires change quickly, especially when faced with a life-changing event. You may feel one way today and completely change your mind tomorrow. Journaling allows you to track your experience and to fully understand what you want for your pregnancy.
Additionally, it helps you slow down and work through your thoughts and desires. You deserve to make an informed decision that you feel confident about. Give yourself the time and space to understand all of your options and which is right for you.
Think you might be pregnant? Get the information you need for free today.