Oh, I'm a big fan of journaling! I've had journals ever since I was 12. Every time I move and have to put them in and out of moving boxes, I sit down and stop everything to leaf through them. Just like you did yesterday.
Whether it is one year or 20 years - I think there is no better way to become a witness of our own growth and mental/emotional/spiritual change, than connecting with the person we were "back then" through their words on the page. It's a great way to boost self-compassion, too :)
Sadly I'm not journaling as much anymore, but I do keep weekly recaps now and especially "happiness reports" to remember all the little good things that happened, even if they were not life-changing.
That's awesome! Glad I'm not alone to notice that