Image by Tamara Stoffers on Umsplash
Many years ago, psychologist James Pennebaker discovered that journaling could lead to stronger mental health outcomes. People who wrote about their deepest feelings often reported feeling better—sometimes for days afterward. One of his books is Opening Up by Writing It Down.
The takeaway was clear: writing to express emotions can be deeply therapeutic. The more people opened up on the page, the more they seemed to heal.
Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a new twist on that idea. Many personal essays, blog posts, and even podcasts read like pages from a private journal. They’re written not to inform, entertain, or educate—but to help the author process their emotions. There’s nothing wrong with that—unless you’re sharing them with a public audience.
Consider the Modern Love section of the New York Times, where many stories read like polished diary entries. Or the podcast episode I once heard from a respected copywriter, where he shared his struggle with suicidal thoughts. I had admired his work, but I never saw him the same way again.
We often see essays with titles like:
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“What It’s Like to Be 70 (or 40, 50, 60, 80…)”
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“How I Finally Found Happiness”
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“The Day I Stopped Feeling Afraid”
These pieces can be well-written and moving. But they’re often framed as universal truths when they’re deeply personal experiences. Genetics, life history, and circumstances mean that what worked for one person may not work—or even apply—to someone else.
And not all perspectives are welcomed equally. Stories about the joys of being a grandmother are mainstream and warmly received. But if you write about the satisfaction of being a child-free cat lady, you’re likely to get a different reaction. (Trust me—I know.)
Here’s the bottom line:
Not all experiences need to be shared. In fact, not all experiences should be shared.
Before you hit publish, ask yourself:
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Why am I writing this?
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Am I offering something valuable to readers—especially those who haven’t been through this themselves?
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Am I hoping for admiration, sympathy, or understanding?
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How might readers regard me after reading this—will they respect me, pity me, or worry about me?
You might feel better after writing that article or sharing that story on your podcast. And that’s great. But if it helped you and no one else, it might be better off staying in your journal—not out in the world.
Alternative SEO-friendly titles:
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“Should You Share That Story? The Fine Line Between Public Writing and Private Journaling”
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“When Personal Stories Overshare: Writing to Heal vs. Writing to Help”
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“Not Every Story Needs an Audience: How to Know What to Publish (And What to Keep Private)”
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“From Journal to Blog: Are You Writing to Help Others or Just Yourself?”
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version, Medium formatting, or podcast episode adaptation.
