Journalism Therapy: Inner Critic Series: Part 3 & 4

Part 3

INVESTIGATE: carry out research or study into (a subject, typically one in a scientific or academic field) so as to discover facts or information.

Step 1:Focus in on one particular branch/emotion.Create a new mindmap around the branch you decided to focus on and in a stream of consciousness way, elaborate on your investigation. We often shy away from digging deep as it may expose truths we are just too scared or too tired to address.  We tend to doubt ourselves.  Our abilities.  Our freedom to express openly.

But have fun with it.  Is there some kind of truth/lesson that comes up as you address that emotion that resulted from your Part 1 rant?  Is there something new to learn?

Part 4

CAUTERIZE: to burn the flesh with a caustic substance normally to help stop bleeding

Step 1: 
Sometimes the truth can hurt.  Sometimes pulling off the scab can reveal a wound we are not always ready to address.  So today- let’s slow down.  Let’s cauterize the wound.  Write, mindmap or draw out what this means to you.

Step 2:  
Pick an animal symbol (or totem) that resonates with you today.  Research it.  What lessons can you learn?  This is good brain gym.

Cat....Bet no one could had guessed this one. LOL...I kind of also felt the dung beetle...no earth why..and does he even count? 
Ive made a decision since Im not really sure whcih animal resonates with me today...Il do a quiz.
Find Your Spirit Animal

Results:

Wolf.

Powers: Stealth, hunting ability, enhanced senses of smell and hearing, as well as strength and stamina

"Family comes first" could be a Wolf's motto. You form deep connections with close friends and family members, and they know you'd do anything to protect them. You're loyal, devoted, and passionate. Your worst fear is being alone, but be careful not to drown your loved ones in too much emotion.

Journalism Therapy: Inner Critic Series: Part 1 & 2

Link to Journal Exercise

6 Steps

Rant

Judge

Investigate

Cauterize

Tease

Embarass

Rant

Inner Critic Ranting: Step 1

How are you supposed to live happily, love everyone, and better yourself if you can't afford to even eat unless you sign onto food stamp wagon...all aboard! The world is so overpopulated and it feels like to score a minimum wage job is exhausting. The challenges. The competition. All the people!! All I want is a job that pays enough so I can live comfortably. Im a hard worker and know I can work my ass off in any job I set off to do. I guess the problem is that there is many other people, such as I, that are true to the same statement and behold better characteristics or traits than I do. Not enough positions? The unemployment rate is nasty. And know whats to blame for that? Corporations. Greed. Filthy bastards wanting to keep all that money to themselves so they can fun their kids and their kid's kids' education? How about making them work for it like nearly everyone else has to? It just seems entirely irresponsible to hand your kids a free way pass to everything they'll have in their future. 
Emotions...do not even get me started on emotional regulation. Now thats exhausting!! Not only that, but the worst is when you feel like everyone is observing your every move and pointing out all the mistakes you are making in life. All the "I told you so". The judgement. Ugh, the pressure. Ultimately, the stress...the silent killer. 

I find it funny that all it takes to relief stress is to get yourself calm state. If we can always be aware of the moments in our lifes...and remember that we just need breathe and absorb whatever your setting you are in..shouldn't that help a hell of a lot? I feel like I practice this regularly, yet I feel absolutely lost, alone, and hopeless about 65% of the time anymore.  

Now we review our emotions! Weeee!

 Heres a list of mine:

Shame.
Anger.
Frustration.
Empowerment.
Doubt.
Insignificant.

Judge


Step 1:
Make a mini mindmap for these emotions. Now dig a little deeper and address each branch and bubble on your mindmap.

Judge judiciously.  Research.  Look up quotes that pertain to the emotions that came up for you.  See which emotion feeds the other.  Are there themes?  Judge them fairly and freely.  Let’s disclose and weigh.  Let’s let the facts speak.  Bring in all the evidence.  Voir dire.  Are we ready for the investigative stage (Part 3)?  Prove that you are able to only consider the truth.

Example: