As a kid I never thought the practice of writing my thoughts and memories down on paper would be such a significant part of my life and routine. TV sitcoms in the late 80s and into the 90s would kind of poke fun at young teen girls who would keep diaries, starting each entry with “Dear Diary” as if that was a requirement for anyone who decided to write in their notebook. While I kind of bought into the idea of being one of those girls who kept a diary, or journal as I call it now because it sounds more mature, it surprisingly became a constant ritual I kept doing into my adulthood.