Over the years, my journal’s function has grown and changed as I have. From middle school, since I first watched LOL, I’ve been using my journal as a non-judgmental listener, chronicling in prose the drama of my teenage years. Getting organized in my often messy brain, whether things are exciting, confusing, or challenging, the journal helped to bring clarity and objectivity to my thoughts. This method also has the added benefit of being able to read my life as a book. No feeling compares to reading through old journals, remembering long forgotten conflicts that at the time felt like the end of the world. It also serves as a unique snapshot of my inner brain, allowing me for just a few minutes to step inside my younger self’s consciousness. As I’ve gotten older, and particularly since starting therapy, I’ve gravitated less and less to my journal. I miss having the entertainment of my written ledger, but at the same time, I have less of a need for the clarity and outlet that my journal was offering. Because of this, I’ve started to use my journal in a new way, as a place to house my raw creativity. Collecting scraps from my daily life, painting spreads that feel right, and using art to communicate my emotions, rather than the prose that is now told to my therapist. This new method of journaling has been an ongoing exploration, as I strike the right balance between the old and new. However, my journal has always been a space free from rules. As I grow and change, I’ve been letting my intuition lead, my journal evolving alongside me.