By Clove Morgan
I think it’s safe to say we have all gotten a little too personal on the internet before. Whether you have tweeted your inner monologue or posted the classic crying picture, public or private, we have all aired out our feelings in cyberspace. A common recommendation is to journal them instead. Turn off the screen, crack open a notebook, and start writing. It’s that easy. Until it’s not. People want to be heard or seen, and it’s natural to want to expose yourself online for validation. But what if you could maintain your privacy while still making use of digital spaces?
When people go to the internet with their emotions charged, the instinct is to want validation. There is absolutely no shame in wanting others to confirm your feelings are warranted or extend a hand in the form of a DM to offer help. Though, there often comes a feeling of regret or even embarrassment soon after. What can you do to prevent this? Well, you don’t have to go out and buy a bullet journal and track your daily emotions. Some of us have different preferences; perhaps the internet is your forté over handwritten vent sessions.
Well, the great thing about the internet is that it’s full of an infinite amount of outlets at your disposal. There are quite a few apps and websites for you to make use of without being explicitly public about feelings meant to be kept private. For starters, the obvious, having spam accounts–like finstas–for only your close friends to see your less-than-perfect moments is the most common. However, you may be trying to limit yourself from posting your personal life further; becoming independent and self-sufficient is a skill that can be cultivated through the right approach.
Personally, my recommendation is to use an app for keeping typed pages. Create a burner Google account or use your Gmail to sign in to Docs and start typing away on newly-made documents. If you’re the more organized type, the website Notion is a fantastic way to find templates specifically for online journaling. You can find everything from bulleted lists, color-coded calendars, and tabs catering to how you categorize your entries if you so choose.
Say you’re not a writer, though, and you still want to find some way to journal. Well, I’ll be the first to say that Pinterest can absolutely be used as a diary-vision-board-scrapbook. You can make boards and folders for every situation, feeling, and season–it’s all up to you. If you can’t find the words, no worries; someone else has got you covered, and all you have to do is hold down and save.a
The internet doesn’t have to be an enemy, it can be your truest friend and most reliable confidante. It all comes down to how you approach it and your preferences. Don’t allow anyone to tell you how to process your emotions, but be open to finding methods of coping on your own. Only you are responsible for your feelings and how they are dealt with; pen and paper, Google Docs, Notion, and Pinterest are just a few of the many ways. Prioritize yourself and the independent emotional experience.
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