by Angela Mentch

Created on: January 23, 2009

It has been said that if you write what's on your mind it will make you feel better. I write when I'm sad, I write when I'm glad, I write when something bad happens, I write when I'm home alone or to just make it my escape.

I think that the biggest pad of paper that I have are the things that I have lived through in my life. They are in my mind. I may not write everything down like I should. I think that is one of my downfalls. Just recently I have started to actually write stuff down no matter how big or small. I have been told by my daughter's that the memory is the first thing that goes when you get older, I'm finding this out quickly.

I find that when I'm writing it's the things that I can't say to people. I'm not very good at confrontations. I find that It's better for me to write what is bothering me down in a journal, I reflect on that to what has happened, why it happened, what not to do to where it doesn't happen again.

Do I actually go back and read what I have written.. I sure do. I'll cry, because my feelings have been hurt, I'm angry, when someone insults my intelligence. I am finding that my journal is my best friend right now, you can't get into a fight with it, or have a debate with it, or prove it wrong, a journal is quiet and holds all your most private feelings inside it.

Am I afraid that someone will read what I have written? Yes. If they do..they'll get an eyeful! Should I be embarrassed by what I've written? No. It's personal feelings of what has happened to me or what I'm afraid to say. I shouldn't be afraid to speak my mind but I am. I have found it hard to find the right words to say. I believe that is why I write them down instead.

Am I glad that I keep a journal? Yes. I also find that by keeping this I can improve myself to become a better person. I wish that I started a journal sooner in my life than later. I probably wouldn't feel half the anxieties that I feel now good or bad. I now understand why teenagers keep that ever popular journal or diary. I know that my daughters are no exception to that rule, I'm glad that they keep one.

I think that more people need to write. They might be surprised by what is written or what has happened to them in their lives like a memoir. Everyone has a story to tell,you shouldn't be afraid to write yours. I know that for the short time that I have been doing this I feel better. I have come to conclusion, if all teenagers do this, why can't we?

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