Kristina, journals keep us honest, not only about events themselves but about where we were on our own personal path when the events occurred. I (usually) appreciate the reminders.

Sometimes when I look back at old journals, I can see how I have romanticized my own history. I once ran across a college journal, from a time I remember as idyllic. I read through pages of angst, class stress and dorm floor drama that for some reason had me at an 11/10 anxiety scale WHY?? I wasn’t even involved in the drama…poor young Kristina, already fighting other people’s (silly) battles

More recently I filled up a journal notebook, and when I flipped back to the beginning of that volume, I noticed I’d been utterly hopeless and in despair about a difficult situation…that has actually now worked itself out better than I ever dared hope. It wasn’t that long ago, and I’d already forgotten how bleak my outlook had been. It was a useful exercise in many ways.