17 Comments
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June's avatar

Oh gosh these sound so familiar! I tossed mine because I couldn’t stomach rereading this kind of stuff. I was constantly apologizing for all kinds of things. That or asking for stuff lol.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

Right?? I did so much of both lol.

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Stephanie Ascough's avatar

This sounds very familiar, as June said. 💔❤️

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Marla Taviano's avatar

Ugh.

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Jenn's avatar

Well...I still journal like that (kind of. Probably fewer cliches and more swearing now. But definitely still writing to God). I kind of love 26yo Marla. But I love the current one, too.

P.S. that date was my 30th birthday. I was less on speaking terms with God at that time.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

I love that I randomly chose your 30th birthday to write about! I'm all for people writing to God if they want. Just not the God I believed in and bowed down to.

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Jenn's avatar

I love that you chose that, too! and yeah... 🫂

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Lelay Scar's avatar

Yep, I wrote stuff like that, too. Thanks for being there and writing about how to navigate away from all that. I am also on a painful journey with my family. My brother has cut me off. So I appreciate reading about how you think through this situation with your family.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

I'm so sorry about your brother. That really sucks.

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Carolyn's avatar

Oh yes! I didn’t journal, but those prayers, those sentiments - yup, been there.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

I don't know that I would have even remembered any of this if I hadn't written it down.

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Carolyn's avatar

Some things are too ingrained in my mind.

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Ivy Zeller's avatar

My goodness, those journal words bring back memories, as so many have already said. I'm proud of us for connecting to the love of our communities, even when we were told we were only lovable if we filled our journals and minds with self-loathing.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

Yay us!!

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Ilona Goanos's avatar

Ugh. This struck a chord. I have read my old journals and I hate that I ceded my power to the church. Accepting my abysmal marriage as part of my cross to bear wasted so many years of my life. Good riddance, church!

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Marla Taviano's avatar

Same. I know there are good churches out there, but I don't have any church energy left to spend.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

So so relatable 🫣 I got rid of mine, they were so triggering and sad to read. Maybe I’ll regret that some day, but for now I’m enjoying writing “letters from love” a la Liz Gilbert ❤️❤️

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