Nudging: Read through an old journal

This Nudge is inspired by my ongoing efforts to declutter (letters, papers, decades of work notes), as well as ongoing deep dives into who I have been and who I might want to become. Many of my original Nudges came from thinking back on activities I enjoyed doing as a kid and young adult (creating chalk drawings, baking, dancing around the house, learning foreign languages). Nudges give me opportunities to try them again, to see if I still enjoy them, and decide if there’s more I want to do with them.

I suspect what I read this week will be cringy, since I know much of my early journaling—which dates back to third grade!—featured pining for boys, venting angst, and sorting out dramatic dilemmas of my own making. There have also been sweet surprises in these old books, such as long-buried memories with loved ones who have passed.

If you haven’t kept journals, perhaps this is the week you go through old scrapbooks, school yearbooks, or desktop folders of digital photos. See what you are ready to let go, share, or treasure. If you find something special, I hope you’ll share a bit of your story in Comments.