I have only been keeping a journal since I've started therapy. Occasionally I will go back and look for a particular issue. Sometimes its nice to see how I've changed in thought. Sometime it not so nice to see that I was struggling with the same exact issue 2 years ago. LOL So my occasional journal review has been a mixed bad. I don't know how long I will keep these files. Its nice to see where you've been, but I really don't want to risk them being found and read...even if after death. I don't think I like some of the aspects of myself presented in them.

Tree... I also came across a diary I kept around age 9-10. After reviewing the things that child wrote about... I also got upset and destroyed it. I recently told my T about finding it. She got excited until I told her I got rid of it. Part of me regrets that choice but another part thinks it was for the best. I know if I had kept it, I would have eventually given it to her to look at and...not sure there would have been a benefit of that. I read it, I know what was in there, if that story needs to be shared, the adult me should do it.