It’s one of those things I’ve never talked about with other people, the most I’ve really been exposed to journal keeping in pop culture is Doug Funny. People don’t talk about their personal journals.
Ever since I was a teenager I’ve sometimes felt compelled to write about major events, and over the years this has become the habit of keeping a journal that I write in almost every day, and sometimes I go back and read old entries. “What was I doing this time last year?” I also sometimes keep notes or such intentionally for future reference.
So, if you keep a journal, do you go back and read it? Why?
I journal to process thoughts, feelings, and problems, so I often go back to try to help me “figure things out.” It’s a double-edge sword sort of situation. Like it really lays bare the fact that certain problems I’ve made zero progress on over the years, but on the other hand, it’s helps me realize other places where I’ve made way more progress than I would have thought.
If you’ve ever seen the Black Mirror episode where they’re able to record their memories and play them back, it can be a little like that. An argument with the wife? I can pull back every. single. time. she’s done “that” before. I think that’s probably not good.
Anyway, overall, when I come away from reading past journal entries I tend to feel a lot more calm and humble.