Can Journaling Make Overthinking Worse?

Journaling is often recommended  — but what if writing things down sometimes keeps us stuck?

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Kumari Valentine explores the difference between processing and rumination, drawing on the work of James Pennebaker and Susan Nolen-Hoeksema. We look at how journaling can become “overthinking on paper” when we stay fused with our thoughts, analyse rather than name our emotions, or use the page as another place to criticise ourselves.

You’ll learn how to notice whether your writing is actually helping something move — and how perspective, emotion and self-compassion can make journaling more useful.

Try the free One-Minute Overthinking Check-In to help you recognise when your thinking is taking you somewhere — and when you’re simply going around again. It is available here: https://justaminutewithdrkumari.substack.com/p/why-do-we-overthink?r=5fseg6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email