The Healing Power of Pen to Paper: How Journaling Can Support You Through Peri/menopause
The transition through peri/menopause brings profound changes. Hormonal fluctuations, emotional intensity, brain fog, and physical symptoms.
At Magnolia Collective, we believe in the healing power of small daily rituals, especially those that bring clarity to the often overwhelming journey of peri/menopause. One such practice is journaling.
Research shows that writing by hand, particularly in a journal, activates the brain in deeper ways than typing. According to experts cited by NPR, the process of handwriting lights up areas responsible for memory, thinking, and emotional regulation.
Why Journaling Matters During Hormonal Transitions
During peri/menopause, emotions can feel like a rollercoaster. One day you're confident and energized; the next, you're overwhelmed by anxiety or sadness. These fluctuations can feel confusing and isolating.
Journaling provides a safe space to process these complex emotions without judgment. Research from UC Berkeley shows that writing about our deepest thoughts and feelings can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility. Particularly during high-stress periods. For women navigating unpredictable emotional changes, this emotional regulation is invaluable.
The act of translating swirling thoughts into concrete words helps organize internal chaos. When dealing with brain fog or difficulty concentrating, journaling helps you make sense of experiences and track patterns you might not otherwise notice.
Physical Benefits Too
Beyond emotional support, journaling offers surprising physical benefits. Studies show that people who engage in expressive writing experience fewer doctor visits and reduced symptoms of chronic conditions. Research even suggests journaling can boost immune function, people who wrote about stressful experiences showed stronger antibody responses compared to those writing about mundane topics.
For women whose immune systems may be affected by hormonal changes, these benefits provide valuable support during an already challenging time.
The Power of Handwriting
While typing seems convenient, handwriting offers unique advantages. Neuroscience research reveals that handwriting activates more widespread brain networks than typing, enhancing connectivity associated with learning, memory, and cognitive processing. This could be particularly beneficial for women experiencing menopause-related cognitive changes.
How to Start?
1. Getting Started Simply
Start Small: Even 10-15 minutes can be beneficial. Consistency matters more than duration.
Write About What Matters: Focus on your experiences during this transition:
How are physical changes affecting daily life?
What emotions are you experiencing?
How is this affecting your relationships?
What strategies help you feel better?
Move from Feelings to Insights: Begin by expressing emotions honestly, then shift toward observations and patterns. What have you learned about yourself?
2. Creating Your Practice
Consider keeping a dedicated peri/menopause journal to track not just symptoms, but emotional responses, coping strategies, and insights. Document what helps like breathing techniques, lifestyle changes, mindset shifts and notice patterns.
Use your journal to explore deeper questions: How do you want to define this next chapter? What wisdom are you gaining? What aspects of yourself are you discovering?
A Space for Self-Compassion
Most importantly, let your journal be a place of self-compassion. This transition can be challenging, and it's easy to become self-critical. Your journal can become a space to practice kindness toward yourself, acknowledge struggles without judgment, and celebrate your resilience.
The simple act of putting pen to paper offers a pathway to greater self-understanding and emotional regulation during one of life's most significant transitions. In a world that often overlooks the peri/menopause experience, your journal becomes a sacred space where your experience matters and your journey is honored.
Sources:
"How Journaling Can Help You in Hard Times" - Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
"As schools reconsider cursive, research homes in on handwriting's brain benefits" - NPR Health Shots
