The journal writing helped Susan to stay on track in more ways than one. Most obviously, it helped her to process and work through her feelings at different stages of grief. She could share every emotion in the pages of her journal and not worry about hurting anyone's feelings-she could be herself. Her journal was a friend who did not judge or have a vested interest in her getting better, being happy, or even moving on. She could see that she was making progress, that things were changing, and that life continued.