What a damn fine post, @jamtaylor! Journaling has always been a part of my life. As a child, we were made to keep various journals in school. There are perhaps no greater mementos of childhood than my journals. Looking back on them, I made valuable comments on current events, girls, and family. Moreover, reading them now truly allows me to understand how I thought as a child. The aspirations and desiresI had then inspire me to continue achieving goals. The journals that I kept in high school, college, and into my adult years tell a similar story. I had so many worries in those days, all of which seemed like a big deal. However, with few exceptions, I hardly remember them nowadays.
I don't like blogging about deeply personal things. I tried that. I love Moleskin notebooks for writing detailed thoughts and poetry. I have really gotten into writing in Field Notes notebooks. While they are small, I am never without one.
That's really fantastic, aren't you glad they made you do that as a kid? I wish I'd done that. I'd love to have those memories. There's a Question a day 5 year joural which I gave to a friend's teenage son. I hope he writes in it. It's very simple and doesn't give a lot of room, but it's better than nothing and it can spark the journalling. It's a nice inexpensive and potentially incredibly valuable gift.
My wife has journals from the time she was 8 years old!! We have them put away. It was her influence that got me writing.