deli, that makes a lot of sense. Sorry for making such a blanket statement about journal-writing! I began keeping a journal again when I began with my current T, after about 20 years layoff. I think I took such a long break because I was being very avoidant and didn't want to "face facts" about my life. (Deli, you sound anything but avoidant!) Beginning to journal again when I started with my current T dovetailed with my desire to stop being avoidant, make progress, and solve my problems. I think without the journal-writing, progress would have been slower. I find that now that I've "achieved" some of what I wanted to, my journal writing is not as frequent. But I really like that I have returned to it, because I really liked it when I was younger. If nothing else, it is a record one will always have of that period in one's life. Bluemoon, I hope you find it helpful to you too.