I kept one for years. But the last 1-2 years I don't really write that often. I tried to avoid thinking about my feelings. But since starting therapy again I try to keep one again.

I sometimes wonder what to do with my old diaries. What if I die before my parents. I don't think they would be a fun read for them.

There is an entire shelf on my bookcase that is just journals. I started with spiral bound notebooks in 1992. I go through different styles. It's not about making it pretty. I actually like when they get all beat up and worn looking.

I know someone will read them all some day. My friends joke that they are going to turn them into a book when I die.

What is interesting is I have two children. It will be a true treasure for them when they are older to have my old journals. My mother used to journal but she wrote in dutch and I can't read any of them.