Many people with chronic illnesses find it helpful to journal about their experiences. This can be a great way to track your symptoms, document your progress, and vent about the frustrations of living with a chronic illness. But did you know that journaling about things that make you happy is just as important?
Journaling about the things that make you happy can help you to focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when you’re feeling down. It can also help to remind you of what brings you joy when you’re struggling with a flare-up. And finally, it can be a way to celebrate the small victories that are so important when living with a chronic illness.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my coffee-drinking habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied with caffeine. It’s a win for everyone. I am not a medical professional, and nothing stated in this article should be mistaken for medical advice…

Why Journaling About Things That Make You Happy Is Important
There are three main reasons why journaling about things that make you happy is important when you have a chronic illness. First, it can help you to focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when you’re feeling down. Second, it can remind you of what brings you joy when you’re struggling with a flare-up. And third, it can be a way to celebrate the small victories that are so important when living with a chronic illness.
Focusing on the Positive
One of the most difficult things about living with a chronic illness is the constant focus on the negative. We worry about our symptoms, we stress about our treatments, and we become consumed by our illnesses. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Journaling about the things that make us happy can help to shift our focus from the negative to the positive. When we take time to write down the things that bring us joy, we are reminded that our lives are not defined by our illnesses. We are so much more than our diseases!
Remembering What Makes Us Happy
Another benefit of journaling about things that make us happy is that it can remind us of what brings us joy when we’re struggling with a flare-up. When we’re in the midst of a severe pain episode, it’s easy to forget all of the good things in our lives. But if we have a record of the things that make us happy, we can refer back to it and remember all of the reasons why life is worth living – even when we’re in pain.
Celebrating Small Victories
Finally, journaling about things that make us happy is a great way to celebrate the small victories that are so important when living with a chronic illness. When we have a chronic illness, there are many days when just getting out of bed and taking a shower feels like an accomplishment. But too often, we brush off these accomplishments as being “not big enough” or “not worth celebrating.”
However, these small victories are actually very important! They remind us that we are capable and strong – even on our worst days. So next time you have a small victory, take a moment to write it down in your happiness journal. You’ll be glad you did!
Final Thoughts on Journaling About Happy Things
Tracking your happiness by journaling about things that make you feel good is essential for people managing chronic illnesses.. Why? Because reflection upon positivity helps maintain hope throughout difficult times fighting your chronic Illness, keep a healthy perspective, and most importantly– celebrate your accomplishments, however big or small they may seem– which cumulative turn into giant strides! Don’t forget– YOU GOT THIS!
Journal Prompt: What are 5 things That Always Make You Smile?
Get more journal prompts here!
Subscribe to The Disabled Diva