Since the age of ten, I have made it a personal mission to take account of my life through journaling.
To the best of my ability and circumstances, I always strived to be as open and forthcoming as possible with each entry. Alzheimer's is, unfortunately, a common diagnosis in my family history, and even at the age of ten, I was terrified of forgetting. Forgetting what I have been through, what I have sacrificed, and the things I've seen and felt along the way - complete with code words only I knew the true meaning behind when certain family members would read through my entries detailing the inner workings of a typical ten-year-old's fragmented perception.
Looking back on those dozens and dozens of old notebooks that have accumulated over the years is a testimony of a life lived in the best way I knew how to manage. It's a wealth of knowledge in its own right, one that I feel incredibly fortunate to have to look back and see how far I have come.
No matter where you are in life, record it. Take those photos of what you ate or those pleasant walks outside when the world seems to be spinning just a little too quickly. Pick up a pen and jot down something - anything - that resonates with your current being. Whatever method you find easiest, be it social media, drawing, or writing, just take a little bit of time to document yourself.
Because you truly never know the impact it may have in a distant future you never dreamed of seeing. 🖤