Journals and Diaries

[Pleasant-Sage]

Anyone else keep a journal or diary?

 

I started one back in November. I don't do daily entries. Just when I feel the urge to do so. I've always wanted to write a book. It's kind of my way of writing a book about me or sort of about me anyways. I've been filling it with quotes and knowledge more so than feelings or opinions.

 

After my mom died years ago, I had found something she had written on and it occured to me that I never knew her as herself. I just knew her as "mom". I want my kids to know me more than just as "dad". That's not really why I'm doing what I'm doing but it's definitely an added bonus should something tragic happen to me...be that soon or a long time from now.

 

 

[The Outlaw]

I used to when I was 20 and earlier and honestly should now. It's better than just keeping things bottled up. 

[K.K.]

You should continue it! 

 

I hear what you’re saying about your children coming to know you as more as just ‘dad’. 

 

My aunt always seemed like the coldest person when I was a child. I knew barely anything about her other than she liked to get drunk at our family Christmas parties and come off with these crazy one liners and dry comedy. 

 

On her hundredth birthday party, (she was there in body but dementia had taken most of her mind), she had her life story all splayed out on big posterboards and shelves. Her photos and diaries. 

 

That’s when I got to know her, when she was basically gone. But I found out how unbelievably wonderful she was. She was born before the 1900’s!! Self sufficient woman, college girl, principal of an academy. Had so many suitors and boys falling all over her. The love letters they wrote her were so sweet and lovesick. Written with a delicate hand and proper words. None of this text speak you DTF stuff of these days. She was way more than just ‘ Mean ole Aunt Virginia. ‘ she was an awesome human being! 

 

That was gift reading her diaries and stories and clippings. I would’ve never known her at all without them. 

 

Continue your diaries ! It’ll be a gift to your children one day. A treasure.   

 

 

 

 

[preraph]

I kept a pretty much daily journal when I was in my twenties and thirties, and I don't want to be overly dramatic, but finally reading those 900 pages brought me back from a big depression and non-combat PTSD. 

 

I can't believe I didn't read it before then. I definitely saw some patterns. We should definitely keep a journal and to make sure that it is totally private so you can write whatever you need to in there and get it off your chest. 

[Pleasant-Sage]

36 minutes ago, preraph said:

We should definitely keep a journal and to make sure that it is totally private so you can write whatever you need to in there and get it off your chest. 

 

I started my first page with a disclaimer saying saying "if you are reading this, I'm either dead or you are being nosey. Either way, I'm not responsible for your feelings getting hurt. You have been warned." 🤣

[jah526]

I have about 15-20 notebooks filled with stuff from over the years. I tend to write when I’m in a negative frame of mind, which is a lot of the time. I use it to try to work things out but I don’t know if it really helps. I don’t think I’d want anyone to read it. It’s pretty dark.

 

But I did write some things about my mom in there. Reading back over those entries now helps me recall different times with her, and I cherish those memories now.

[Angelflower]

I wouldn't keep them. I use to write in a journal but had some very bad experiences. As a teenager my parents stole them from me and destroyed them. As a young adult a so called friend stole them and passed them around town. I lived in a small town... they then proceeded to use the information in them against me. It was not a fun time so now when I write.... I burn the pages afterwards and release it all back into the cosmos.