I wish we could pass around the proverbial book too!! That would be so much fun and I’m sure so beautiful.
I completely OVERstand the fear of someone else reading our journals… 💀 I didn’t even THINK of Augie one day creepin on mine. New fear unlocked! 😂
I had to get real with myself recently. I realized that I feel emotions that I don’t dare speak aloud- ever, to anyone. Couple that with the fear of writing about these feelings because I didn’t want anyone to read about it in my journals- toxic!! No escape for the big stuff!
I’m better about letting myself feel now, and process through journaling, and if it’s something extra terrible that CAN NOT BE SEEN- I burn it! 😂 🔥
It helps.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing back and always writing such tender and vulnerable stories. I am constantly *awed* by your words. ✨
Omg I love The Book that you and your friends created!! I wish we could do that here somehow 😍😍
I used to keep all of my journals too and then I got scared that when I died one day my kids would read them and I didn’t want that. But I now regret it. Only because as I’m writing my memoir, I wish I had more to reference. I have some journals but none from teen years.
I found my last journal at Barnes and Nobles :) it’s a stunner! It’s got a big beautiful tree on the front and it’s soft greens and whites and golds. I’ll take a picture and send it to you 😍😍
Thanks so much for sharing your story friend, this is such a great topic!!
Missssssss K!!!!!!! Literally sitting with your words with my eyes closed and hand over my heart. This was beautiful. The emotions that it evoked in me caused me to flinch a little but they also caused me to extend grace to my younger self .....I especially loved your comment, "the longer I live, the faster I can reach a place of comfort in resilience". YES! YES so much to this!
I always loved the IDEA of journaling, and tried and failed to follow through so many times. For one, I would start but wouldn't continue more than a few days; and two, in was DEATHLY afraid of it being found and read by someone else - especially by my mother or stepfather. In a way I'm glad I never followed through because like you referenced to, it would be like being submerged all over again. Plus, I am positive there would be some thoughts and emotions that I had then that would undoubtedly be found in my journal today. But, overall, I know I need to face traumas and fears to bust down my insecurities, but there are things that I don't need to keep revisiting. My passport to those destinations have expired and I am very content with that.
On the other hand, part of me wished I did follow through, if for no other reason than to remind me how far I've come - a reminder of how fucking resilient I can be. I can't change the past though, but I can definitely influence my future 😉
Thank you for being warm light, K. It's beautiful ♥️
Okay the expired passport though?! Prolific!! i love this concept. WE DON'T NEED TO GO BACK AND STAY THERE.
Thank you so much for swimming in the nostalgia with me. I love learning that SHAME IS A COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE. And I love that we are listening to BB together. 💌
I love to go back and periodically look at previous journals to see how far I've come. Goals that I had 5 years ago that are being achieved now. They are also a source of ideas I've long since forgotten.
Chris!! Hi!! How cool. You’re light years ahead of me, I wasn’t so self aware 5 years ago… I wasn’t writing out any goals 😅 I bet the feeling of accomplishment is thoroughly appreciated when you revisit your journals. I also love that you have ideas to reference back to as well!
I loved reading this, K! I too date and timestamp my journal entries, down to the minute… I don’t remember when I started doing that, I don’t think I did when I was a kid. Maybe sometime in my twenties. I keep all of my journals. I actually do plan to read them, eventually. But only once I’ve finally solidified real emotional stability. I’m still a little too prone to depression, and yeah, I don’t want to read my teenage angst and get stuck there. I do think I will reach a stage in my healing where it will actually be beneficial and enjoyable to read my old angsty depressed writings, and glow at how far I’ve come. In the meantime, I feel a sentimental attachment to all those little books full of handwritten thoughts and feelings I likely didn’t feel like I could share anywhere else. Yes, those pages are precious to me, even if I don’t read them.
The Book is such a cool idea! What a treasured memory.
Jules! How did I miss this? Thank goodness my email caught it- I really appreciate reading your experience with journaling too. And I love knowing you also timestamp!
I hope to join you on the journey to self love and be able to one day look back at these moments with compassion instead of cringe.
This was such a great read today, as always, dear K! On my mom's most recent visit, she brought with her a box full of my old journals and papers and I eagerly dove into them, thinking it would be a lovely foray into memory lane, all nostalgic and such, and instead I got really melancholy and angsty. This perfectly articulated for me WHY I got all down in the dumps about it, and I appreciate that SO MUCH. All love and grace for our younger selves, but perhaps distance is also a good and healthy thing. Thank you for sharing, and your new journal is GORGEOUS! ❤🙌✨
Your momma saved your journals and arts? 🥹 You both are too good for this world. We don't deserve you. ANGSTY. That is the perfect word. Thank you for reading here! <3
Thisnis great. I always hated Journaling. I wish I had done it, what treasure trove of information and nostalgia. This is why I'll probably never write an amazing memoir! 🤣
I wish we could pass around the proverbial book too!! That would be so much fun and I’m sure so beautiful.
I completely OVERstand the fear of someone else reading our journals… 💀 I didn’t even THINK of Augie one day creepin on mine. New fear unlocked! 😂
I had to get real with myself recently. I realized that I feel emotions that I don’t dare speak aloud- ever, to anyone. Couple that with the fear of writing about these feelings because I didn’t want anyone to read about it in my journals- toxic!! No escape for the big stuff!
I’m better about letting myself feel now, and process through journaling, and if it’s something extra terrible that CAN NOT BE SEEN- I burn it! 😂 🔥
It helps.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing back and always writing such tender and vulnerable stories. I am constantly *awed* by your words. ✨
Omg I love The Book that you and your friends created!! I wish we could do that here somehow 😍😍
I used to keep all of my journals too and then I got scared that when I died one day my kids would read them and I didn’t want that. But I now regret it. Only because as I’m writing my memoir, I wish I had more to reference. I have some journals but none from teen years.
I found my last journal at Barnes and Nobles :) it’s a stunner! It’s got a big beautiful tree on the front and it’s soft greens and whites and golds. I’ll take a picture and send it to you 😍😍
Thanks so much for sharing your story friend, this is such a great topic!!
Missssssss K!!!!!!! Literally sitting with your words with my eyes closed and hand over my heart. This was beautiful. The emotions that it evoked in me caused me to flinch a little but they also caused me to extend grace to my younger self .....I especially loved your comment, "the longer I live, the faster I can reach a place of comfort in resilience". YES! YES so much to this!
I always loved the IDEA of journaling, and tried and failed to follow through so many times. For one, I would start but wouldn't continue more than a few days; and two, in was DEATHLY afraid of it being found and read by someone else - especially by my mother or stepfather. In a way I'm glad I never followed through because like you referenced to, it would be like being submerged all over again. Plus, I am positive there would be some thoughts and emotions that I had then that would undoubtedly be found in my journal today. But, overall, I know I need to face traumas and fears to bust down my insecurities, but there are things that I don't need to keep revisiting. My passport to those destinations have expired and I am very content with that.
On the other hand, part of me wished I did follow through, if for no other reason than to remind me how far I've come - a reminder of how fucking resilient I can be. I can't change the past though, but I can definitely influence my future 😉
Thank you for being warm light, K. It's beautiful ♥️
Okay the expired passport though?! Prolific!! i love this concept. WE DON'T NEED TO GO BACK AND STAY THERE.
Thank you so much for swimming in the nostalgia with me. I love learning that SHAME IS A COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE. And I love that we are listening to BB together. 💌
I love to go back and periodically look at previous journals to see how far I've come. Goals that I had 5 years ago that are being achieved now. They are also a source of ideas I've long since forgotten.
Really enjoyed this reflection!
Chris!! Hi!! How cool. You’re light years ahead of me, I wasn’t so self aware 5 years ago… I wasn’t writing out any goals 😅 I bet the feeling of accomplishment is thoroughly appreciated when you revisit your journals. I also love that you have ideas to reference back to as well!
Thank you for reading, friend. Happy Spring!
Happy Spring to you as well!
I loved reading this, K! I too date and timestamp my journal entries, down to the minute… I don’t remember when I started doing that, I don’t think I did when I was a kid. Maybe sometime in my twenties. I keep all of my journals. I actually do plan to read them, eventually. But only once I’ve finally solidified real emotional stability. I’m still a little too prone to depression, and yeah, I don’t want to read my teenage angst and get stuck there. I do think I will reach a stage in my healing where it will actually be beneficial and enjoyable to read my old angsty depressed writings, and glow at how far I’ve come. In the meantime, I feel a sentimental attachment to all those little books full of handwritten thoughts and feelings I likely didn’t feel like I could share anywhere else. Yes, those pages are precious to me, even if I don’t read them.
The Book is such a cool idea! What a treasured memory.
Jules! How did I miss this? Thank goodness my email caught it- I really appreciate reading your experience with journaling too. And I love knowing you also timestamp!
I hope to join you on the journey to self love and be able to one day look back at these moments with compassion instead of cringe.
Sending hugs 🫂
Hugs 🫂!
You know I do have a f@vorite journal….
You should share the link to the one you published!
Loved the line about in the beginning there was pen and paper
Diana 😭
You just touched my soul with your Love. This is the most precious compliment I could ever receive… thank you so much for gifting. 🤍
This was such a great read today, as always, dear K! On my mom's most recent visit, she brought with her a box full of my old journals and papers and I eagerly dove into them, thinking it would be a lovely foray into memory lane, all nostalgic and such, and instead I got really melancholy and angsty. This perfectly articulated for me WHY I got all down in the dumps about it, and I appreciate that SO MUCH. All love and grace for our younger selves, but perhaps distance is also a good and healthy thing. Thank you for sharing, and your new journal is GORGEOUS! ❤🙌✨
Your momma saved your journals and arts? 🥹 You both are too good for this world. We don't deserve you. ANGSTY. That is the perfect word. Thank you for reading here! <3
Thisnis great. I always hated Journaling. I wish I had done it, what treasure trove of information and nostalgia. This is why I'll probably never write an amazing memoir! 🤣
Well I'm not mad because you write amazing novels instead!! 😍
Omg I love that green/gold foiled journal sooo much!!!! 😍 And $600?!?!?! YIKES. I'm over here spending $5.99 at Marshalls. 😂🙏