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The earliest journals I can find written by my younger self dates back to 2004 (when I was still in elementary school 10 years old). Journaling is perhaps one of the most important habits I adopted when I was young. I remember I first started journaling when I became aware that our memory is selective. Back then, the idea of forgetting the things that have happened terrified me. So I thought writing my days would help me old self remember everything in case I lost my memory someday.
It is amazing how much experience and growth can shift our believes and values over time. Journals not only record events of the past but also have the ability to record vividly who you used to be.
Little did I know that what started as a memory box became a healing tool, a friend, and a source of strength for over a decade.
There is so much beauty in revisiting your own words. I find it easier to reread things that are at least one year old. This avoids any self-judgment when reading records, which are too new. In 15 years, many things have happened.
I have records of the complicated process of internally forgiving my father and learning to love him and how that transformed our relationship. There are…
