Homework

Storyline Journaling

We usually experience our lives as a series of storylines. Experiences and activities are not just events, they are part of a narrative we have in our mind. We often react to new or difficult situations with habitual patterns based on the storylines that we tell ourselves.

So, at the end of each day, for at least a month, write down the storylines you told yourself during the day. They could be hopeful, critical, or neutral.

This mindful awareness of how the mind reacts can reveal old patterns that no longer serve you well. This recognition gives us the opportunity to make different choices going forward.

Advanced Storyline Journaling

At the end the day, skip a page when you write your storylines from this day.

Then go back to the storylines from yesterday and reflect on or critique the nature of the storylines, especially the negative or self-critical ones.

Come up with views that counter the unskillful storylines, based on input from your friends, books you have read, or research and spiritual study.

Write these on the page opposite the storylines so you can see them side by side.

Do you see any patterns or gain any insight from seeing the thoughts in your mind written down?