09 Nov 2026

A naturally reserved individual, Keaobaka Kgosi has found in writing a voice through which she can communicate feelings and experiences that are sometimes difficult to express verbally.

Her debut publication, Subtle Letters: Your Venting Journal, is a reflection of a journey, offering readers a safe space to confront their emotions, embrace vulnerability and reconnect with themselves.

Although she does not consider herself naturally expressive, her relationship with writing developed into a meaningful practice that eventually inspired her to share her personal approach to journaling with a wider audience.

Having practised journaling for at least five years, Kgosi says the habit became an important tool for navigating difficult emotions and understanding herself. “Writing became a way for me to communicate things I sometimes struggled to express verbally. I had been journaling for years before I considered turning that practice into a publication,” she says. Through Subtle Letters, she seeks to challenge the perception that vulnerability must always be expressed eloquently or accompanied by an immediate lesson.

Instead, the journal encourages readers to acknowledge their emotions without feeling pressured to appear strong, positive or emotionally composed.

Kgosi believes authenticity begins with honesty, even when confronting uncomfortable feelings. She therefore designed the journal to allow individuals to acknowledge pain without having to justify it or rush toward healing.

She explains that the publication is not intended to dictate how readers should interpret their experiences but rather to provide reflective prompts that encourage personal examination, accountability and growth.

For her, journaling is not simply about recording daily events. It is about allowing thoughts to unfold and recognising how one’s understanding of an experience can change over time.

 She observes that an individual may initially write from a place of anger, but upon revisiting the same experience, discover a different perspective.

Such emotional progression, she believes, demonstrates that healing and self-discovery are rarely linear processes.

 “Sometimes the most significant development is not what happens around you, but what begins to happen within you,” she says.

 Beyond providing an outlet for emotional expression, Kgosi believes journaling can help individuals confront truths they may have been avoiding.

She maintains that although writing does not automatically resolve every emotional struggle, it creates room for self-awareness, acceptance and personal growth

Her literary journey has also brought recognition beyond her personal writing space.

Being nominated for Best Debut Author at the African Authors Recognition Awards has been a particularly humbling experience, given that the journal began as a deeply personal project.

She says the recognition is not only an individual achievement but also an opportunity to amplify conversations around emotional vulnerability, expression and writing as a tool for self-discovery.

Looking ahead, she remains determined to preserve the honesty that inspired her debut publication rather than allow recognition or external expectations to dictate her creative direction.

She also cautions against romanticising pain or presenting journaling as a guaranteed solution to every emotional challenge.

For her, not every difficult experience needs a beautiful conclusion, and not every written reflection must produce an immediate lesson.

“Sometimes acknowledging that you are not okay is enough for that particular day,” she says.

Through Subtle Letters, Kgosi hopes to remind readers that their emotions deserve space, their experiences matter and sometimes the first step toward understanding oneself is simply finding the courage to put thoughts on paper. ENDS