For me, the main benefit of journaling is reflecting on how I was as a person a year ago, two years ago, three years ago, etc. It was only two years ago that I started to journal weekly without fail but there are still entries often enough stretching back ten years for me to gain an idea of what I was like as a person.
By reflecting, I can see what parts of my character are ones that I don't really like about myself and what parts I do like. Obviously, we all have an ideal we strive towards and this reflection helps me see how far from this ideal I am. It's also interesting to see how things change and how my priorities change throughout the years.
Do you do anything similar?
I never really look at my old journals, but I can definitely see the usefulness in doing so and might have to start! I just always think of journaling as an in the moment thing and don't think to look back at old ones. I would definitely see a similar shift in focus to you if I did though.
ReplyDeleteI do read my old journals. The entries I most enjoy reading are reviews of concerts, plays, exhibitions etc. It is amazing how often I forget the details or even forget how much I enjoyed them. I also find it useful to reread about my earlier passions and goals because when work and responsibilities get on top of you you can forget your dreams. The two journals I don't read are the ones for the years when my parents were dying. It was therapeutic writing them, but I don't think it will ever do me any good to reread my accounts of their medical procedures etc.
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