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I was never a big fan of journaling or even writing for that matter. When I was a young girl, I had a diary with a lock and key. But it was more for the novelty of it than for writing my innermost thoughts and secrets. Sure I wrote about which boy was cute and who I had a crush on, but it was nothing more than that.

As I got older, I didn't have time to keep a journal and didn't think there was anything of importance that would warrant one. I was in college, graduating from college, back in college, graduating with my Master's degree, starting a career. I didn't think that logging my day would be very interesting. Wake up, skip breakfast, go to class, go to work, study, go to sleep. Rinse and repeat. I was accomplishing major milestones in my life but I didn't feel the need to chronicle the monotonous journey.

Then as I entered into my first long-term, serious relationship, I was so out of touch with the idea of keeping a journal that it never even occurred to me. As that relationship ended and I met the man who was going to be my future spouse, I still thought little of writing things down. It wasn't until I became pregnant and had my first child that I felt the first pangs of regret for not keeping track of my life events and experiences.

My son is now eight months old and I have just now started to write about my experiences with pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and first time motherhood. Much of it is from memory as I think back and try to remember how I felt and acted during a certain month or how my body was changing to prepare for motherhood. But I had a urgent need to write everything because I couldn't bear the thought of losing the emotion and growth that I experienced during this time in my life. And now I that my son is growing so fast, I want to make sure that I capture it all because it will be gone before I know it.

A journal is therapy, a confidant, a vault. My husband I have a very close relationship and have an open channel of communication. But being able to write allows me to use words to vent anger, show frustration, soothe a bruised ego. Some things are better left on paper than being spoken aloud. In this sense, I am able to gain perspective and even see where I may have been in the wrong. A journal is an inexpensive therapist. Writing in a journal enables me to share my innermost fears and secrets. Sometimes things that my seem silly or inconsequential to my husband, family or friends, weigh on my mind. A journal doesn't judge. It lends an objective blank slate that can be filled with whatever I see fit. And sometimes I just want to record memories. Something I can look back on when I am feeling especially sentimental - a vault of sorts for my most valuable possessions.

I had a late start but as I continue to document my life thus far, I plan to dig deep in the depths of my memory to also include historic events in my life. I think keeping a journal can be a valuable when examining your personal growth and those lucky enough to find this outlet can use it to their advantage in life.

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Christiano.
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