Throughout our lives, we experience many things that shape us into the person we become. I find it important that we remember these experiences for what they truly were. A journal is a great way to look back on the past through our own perspective.
I’ll be the first to admit: I am terrible at keeping a journal, but I still believe it is a wonderful thing to do. Think about "The Notebook." Without the assistance of a notebook, Noah would never be able to bring Allie's memory back.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but are those words genuine? We often try to block out bad memories and only remember the good ones. Similarly we only think to take pictures when we are happy. The reality is, we aren’t always happy and I think it is just as important to remember those feelings. How often do you think when you are upset and crying, or having anxiety, “I’m going to take a picture of myself because I should remember this feeling?” Probably not very often. But how often do you take a picture and stage a fake smile? Something to think about.
Keeping a journal is so therapeutic. When I need to vent and feel like I have no one to talk to, or have exciting news that I can't share yet, I know that my journal can be an outlet where no one can react or judge me or my thoughts.
My Nanny started showing signs of Alzheimer’s about six years ago. She lives in a nursing home now and doesn’t always remember who we are or who she even is. With all of this, not only has she lost her identity, but it is hard for us to remember her as she was, to remember the personality and spunk she always had. When I look back at old journal entries, I can reminisce about the shopping trips we used to take and the funny things she would say. I’ve also found some of her old journals which is even better!
I love reading things I wrote to remember the good times but I also enjoy looking back on some of my saddest moments and realizing how far I have come and reminding myself that I got through it.
Apps like Timehop are great, and pictures are wonderful too, but keeping a journal is something that is so simple and something you won't regret.
