Ask HN: Do you keep a journal?

I've had a really hard time overall in life for the last year so today I started venting through a written journal. I've always appreciated writing and the way it can be used to express some things more poignantly and elegantly than the spoken word so I figured it would be a good outlet for my frustrations.

How many of you have kept a private journal or an anonymous blog in the interest of getting through difficult situations? Any stories or suggestions from past experiences?