I experience this. Just knowing that the journal is there will help.
For me, the memories and feelings came after I had the journal in place. Then, I would get something coming to me at the most inopportune times! LOL...You just have to go grab that journal and get it down anyway...I had to give myself permission to feel and then wait for things to come up.
So, yeah, I been there...it will come...just be patient.