A decade-by-decade glimpse into the personal words and thoughts of a devoted diarist.
Photo: George Burns
I've been journaling since I was 15. It's a wonder that I've managed to be a successful human being considering how pathetic I appeared in many of my daily musings. It's a testament to growth and grace that I've come this far.
I wrote a lot of bad poetry in my teens and 20s, mostly about how some guy had done me wrong. I used my journals as therapy. Oh, the time I wasted worrying about men and weight, and what other people thought!
In my 40s, I got wiser. I started using journals to express my gratitude—and watched my blessings multiply. What you focus on expands.
Now I do a combination of gratitude and trying to give some perspective to whatever I'm writing about. I prefer unlined paper to lined, and I also have an iPad app for journaling. It's astonishing to be able to track your own evolution—who I was, who I'm still becoming.
See select entries from Oprah's journals, dating back to 1970!
I wrote a lot of bad poetry in my teens and 20s, mostly about how some guy had done me wrong. I used my journals as therapy. Oh, the time I wasted worrying about men and weight, and what other people thought!
In my 40s, I got wiser. I started using journals to express my gratitude—and watched my blessings multiply. What you focus on expands.
Now I do a combination of gratitude and trying to give some perspective to whatever I'm writing about. I prefer unlined paper to lined, and I also have an iPad app for journaling. It's astonishing to be able to track your own evolution—who I was, who I'm still becoming.
See select entries from Oprah's journals, dating back to 1970!
Oprah's Journal
September 22, 1970
Click the image to view a larger version
September 22, 1970
Click the image to view a larger version
"This was a seminal moment. I wasn't allowed to date until I turned 16 in January, and it was September before I actually got asked, 'Will you be my girl?'"—Oprah
Oprah's Journal
March 2, 1979
Click the image to view a larger version
March 2, 1979
Click the image to view a larger version
"I was 25 years old, working in Baltimore. The very definition of young and restless. I'd read that the best way to get a guy to call was not to think about it, so I was pretending not to think about him." —Oprah
Oprah's Journal
May 17, 1981
Click the image to view a larger version
May 17, 1981
Click the image to view a larger version
"A different 'him' I'm waiting on. I call these my 3-D years, when I was delusional, in denial and damaged." —Oprah
Oprah's Journal
July 12, 1985
Click the image to view a larger version
July 12, 1985
Click the image to view a larger version
"This entire journal is devoted to my time filming The Color Purple. It was my solace and refuge during this most profoundly thrilling time. Every day I couldn't wait to get to set. And every night I looked forward to writing about it. On this particular day, I was preparing to shoot a scene when the entire cast is gathered for Easter dinner and Sofia (my character) has just returned from jail." —Oprah
Oprah's Journal
August 23, 1994
Click the image to view a larger version
More on Writing and Self-Exploration
August 23, 1994
Click the image to view a larger version
More on Writing and Self-Exploration