The protocol is pretty straightforward. Write for 15-20 minutes straight with no interruptions about a single traumatic event. Then write about that event again another 3 times over the next few days or once per week. All 4 sessions need to be completed in 4 weeks. That’s it.
So in January, I gave it a go. ✍️
I wrote about the passing of my stepdad, Ken. I was 21 years old. I was living with my partner at the time. I was in the final year of my Speech Pathology degree. His death was sudden and completely unexpected.
& it was such a long time ago, 25 years in fact. I really thought this would be an easy win with the journaling protocol as there wouldn’t be that much baggage there.
Boy was I wrong!
Over the course of the 4 writing sessions, I learnt how much of an impact Ken’s death had on me. 😔💔
How much fear, responsibility and dread I had.
How much that snowballed into my final year, resulting in me failing pracs, finishing and graduating after everyone else.
How much of the imposter syndrome came from this time.
I realised that had he died a few years later, I would be a different person and our family would be in a different place to where we are now.
