Document the journey—future you will thank you.

Hey — I want to tell you something that still helps me when life gets messy: write it down, draw it, snap it, record it. Documenting the journey doesn’t have to be a big project or perfect; it can be a secret notebook, a sketch, a voice memo, a photo album, or a tiny list on your phone. When you put a moment into words or pictures, you make it smaller and easier to hold. You also give future you a gift: a way to see how far you’ve come when things feel cloudy. You’re not a notebook police, you’re the kind boss of your own story; you can be honest, messy, silly, brave, angry, or calm on the page. If you don’t know what to say, try short, steady phrases that remind you you’re okay and that you’re learning. Here are a few you can use, copy into your journal, or tape to your wall: - “I did my best today,” “This won’t last forever,” “I can try one small thing,” “It’s okay to rest,” “I’m allowed to feel this,” “I can ask for help,” “Future me will be proud.” You can also write a tiny list each night of three things that were okay or good — they don’t have to be big: maybe a short joke, a warm drink, or a kind thing you did. Draw how your feelings look like if that’s easier than words; a messy scribble can be just as true as a paragraph. If you ever feel stuck, write a letter to yourself one year from now: tell future you what today looked like, what you’re hoping for, and one small promise (like “I’ll try to get outside tomorrow” or “I’ll do one thing that makes me smile”). Keep your notes private if that helps you be honest, and pick a spot — a drawer, a folder, a password — that makes you feel safe. The habit doesn’t need to be daily; once a week or once a month works, too. When things are hard, flip back through and you’ll find proof that you survived other storms; when things are good, you’ll see how you celebrated and what made joy stick around. Documenting also helps your feelings make sense: patterns start to show, so you can spot what wears you out or what lifts you up. Remember, I’m not a doctor or therapist, just someone who cares and wants to share what helped me and many kids I’ve known: small, steady steps and honest records make big differences over time. Treat your journal like a friend who listens without interrupting, and if you ever feel too heavy, show it to an adult you trust — sharing your pages can be a brave, powerful step. Future you will really, really thank you for saving these small moments.