@david33, I started journaling very young too when those little diaries came with keys. Don't know if my mom ever read what I wrote growing up but feel so badly for you that a relative read yours . The whole purpose for me in journaling is to put on paper "what is going on with me at the given moment". For that reason, privacy is my top priority and they are not intended for another's eyes.

When I started using sprial "school ruled notebooks", I found they provided the solution to what I might not want another to read. The ability to tear out pages later, which I continue to do, makes the spiral notebooks very user friendly too. The highly decorative journals proved intimidating for me and "too pretty to use".

Ginger's suggestion of dating journal entries is one I never used but can see the merit in doing especially if some are intended for sharing with others.

Like you, David, I had many, many journals covering decades and began the process of re-reading with the purpose of further editing.
While much was saved that pertained to family events and early childhood experiences worth sharing, sections of troubling, frightening, unhappy events found their way to the wastebaskets.

Another thing I discovered in journaling was that I much prefer the tactile experience of using pen to paper vs writing on the computer. My thoughts don't flow as easily when sitting in front of the screen and keyboard. Now, I write in just two journals: one for daily gratitudes and another for "whatever". Smiles to all who find journaling both an outlet and form of personal discovery.

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