Why do people keep diaries?

How do you decide what to write about?

Diaries are not merely books in which to write your daily activities. It is also a place where you can jot down your innermost thoughts and special events. You can also list your daydreams and wishes. You can jot down a happy or a sad moment.

Whether you are using your diary for self-discovery, to develop creativity, to escape from the craziness of life, to record your life for a future autobiography, to solve problems, to become more organised, or as a form of therapy, using these tips can enrich your daily writing.

Tips on keeping a diary:

Try to find at least five minutes a day to write.

Keep a small notebook with you to jot down thoughts or observations that you can later transfer into your diary.

Date your pages.

When time permits, write a short paragraph about current events to set your entry in a larger context.

Be as honest as you can. Only then will your entries reflect who you are.

After you have finished an entry, create a title for it. Write the title at the top of the page.

If you have recorded a thought, write ‘thought of the day’ at the top of the page.

 

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When you have finished your chores for the day, take out your pen and notebook.

Write down the date and begin writing.

Let your mind wander, and write what you are thinking. Writing down your random thoughts gets something started in the depths of your brain.

Every idea, however small or ordinary, is worth writing about.

If you are stuck, here are some ideas.

Listen for random noises: A knock on the door, the screech of brakes on the road, a branch tapping on the window pane, a child calling out, how it feels to drink a cup of tea at the end of a long day.

Write down everything that comes to your mind. Nothing is right or wrong.

And the more you write, the better your writing becomes.

Audio courtesy Tara Kriplani: