A Step into My Journal

And why you should start one too.

I’ve been writing since I was really young. My first ‘book’ was a few pieces of paper glued together and colored on with washable markers. I was eight. I was so proud of that poor thing; now I try to hide it from laughing eyes.

Your beginnings are going to be rough. However, they are still worthy of being written down. Every little thought. The random lines. The brief poetry you ponder. It’s all beautiful.

That’s why I recommend having a journal. Having somewhere to randomly compose your thoughts and dreams can end up saying more about you and your mind than any physical words and books you could ever speak and write.

“I love the friends that will still dance with you, even if they know you will mess up.

I love the friends that wrap you in a hug right when you needed it, and they don’t let go.

I love the friends that you can cry with, as you’re not afraid to show them your pain.

I love the friends that follow you wherever you go, even if they know you’ll hurt yourself somehow.

I love the friends that listen to your memories and remember them.”

~ May 27th, 2024

I have a journal that I keep not far from my bed. Sometimes, I’ll add to it in the night, after a dream gives me inspiration or ponderings. Sometimes, I’ll add a line from a song or book that I’m listening to or reading. Sometimes, I’ll write down a sudden quote that a character says in my head.

“I want to be alive. I can’t just exist. I must run and jump and dance and dream and love and laugh and simply live. What’s the point of anything if you aren’t alive?”

~ Victoria March 24th, 2026

You never know when you may need those random thoughts. Each one is beautiful. Even if they document some terrible dreams and describe the pain you face that no one listened to, they are still beautiful. They paint a story of your life; the good, the bad, and the broken.

“If I should streak across

The midnight sky

A falling star

Who will recall

my light

When I am gone

Six feet under

The ground?”

~ October 25th, 2023

These random lines of thoughts and poetry have given me so many ideas for my characters and stories.

When I get an idea for another story, I quickly jot down the ideas that I have. It may all end up wild and jumbled, but it’s there. I can’t forget it all. It’s composed and secure in black and white on the pages.

“Remember all the steps I took.

Remember mountains climbed.

Return me to the days of old

When I had never cried.

Recall to mind the touch of home

The smell of cedar and pine.

So faint are the sights to me now.

Say it was never mine.”

~ April 20, 2025

As someone that really struggles to let people know how I’m feeling through voice, writing has saved my peace. I can actually say what I want. If I let it out through speech, the looks I’d get would make me keep my mouth shut.

It’s not that I write anything bad. I just describe in detail. I view things differently. If I started talking poetic and deep around people, I’d either be labeled as intelligent or crazy, and most likely the latter.

“I see the ghost of your smile in a child as he passes me by.

I hear the song of your laughter in the breeze on a warm summer’s day.

This ache burns so hard.

I want to, but I don’t,

to see your face - to hear you say:

‘I’m haunted by you.

I think of you.

I imagine where you are,

And all you’ve done.

I hope that you smile.

I wonder if you dream-

Of a boy - of a friend

I wonder - are you haunted by me?’

‘Cause I’m haunted by you.

I dream of you.

Every step, every motion.

All you’ve gone through.

I’m tortured by memories,

But I want the truth.

Are you as haunted by me

As I’m haunted by you?”

~ October 17th, 2024

I’d be willing to share more from my journal if you all like the snippets I’ve shared here. Not all of these are in full. There’s more. Years more. Short stories. Poetry. Thoughts.

All pieces of me.

Things I don’t want to forget.

As you grow, you’re going to miss those glued-together pages.

Write it all down.

And that’s why I journal.