a reply about whether writing/journaling on DS is helpful

I felt fearful and threatened of writing before, for fear that my family would find my journals and private thoughts. It wasn't until using the internet, emailing recovering friends and finding DS to journal that I have finally felt safe to journal. It is helping me. I journal, I explore and uncover and examine feelings, then I give myself time to lay down or sit quietly and feel what came up and just feel what I uncovered. It is really helping me. I share pretty openly when I respond to posts here. But, sometimes, I journal privately, or for friends only with deeply personal things, just to protect myself from not having enough discernment or discretion, I think it is good to message someone whom you trust privately or to journal and share only with friends, so that you feel safer expressing your truths honestly. I have been writing and journaling up a storm since I started on DS, and I don't regret one minute of it. I think it is one of the most empowering tools at my finger tips, free. I can journal and choose not to share with anyone, and it STILL helps, but I must say, the journaling I have done, and received understanding and compassion from people here at DS has warmed my heart and lit a candle in my darkness, to be cared about and understood by what used to be complete strangers, who are now fellow travelers through life, sharing their hearts with me, is priceless