Writing is an excellent way to express yourself.  Writing in a journal can really help you organize your thoughts and understand yourself better.  It can also help you deal with your emotions.  Not only is journaling helpful for yourself, it’s helpful for future generations.  Children, grandchildren, and many others can learn from our experiences.  Another important reason for keeping a journal is documentation.  Especially in abusive situations, it can be vital to keep a record of events by writing the date and what happened.  If you end up needing to go to court, this can really help.