I’ve been writing a physical diary for a wee while now. Very, very occasionally, people ask me for advice on journaling, so I thought I would compile some of my top tips on committing to it as well as offer some reasons as to why you should journal.
Don’t worry about writing every day
I think a lot of new diarists stress themselves out about writing in their diary every single day, but the amount you write is going to be entirely dependent on what’s going on in your life and your mood. I personally tend to write at least 3-4 times a week, often more, although I have gone through odd spells of writing even less than that. It’s not a big deal if you miss a few days. Persevere!
Buy beautiful diaries
My very first diary was a cheap plain notebook I bought on Ebay for £1. Since I finished it, proving to myself that I was committed to journaling and that I really enjoyed it, I’ve bought my diaries exclusively from Paperblanks, who produce gorgeous, high quality hardcover notebooks, exquisite to look at, touch, and write in. They’re expensive, but your diary is your life so I think it’s a worthwhile investment. I’m not always materialistic but it really is a pleasure and an honour to write in a beautiful diary and it will improve your quality of life more than anything else you could buy with that money. (I promise I'm not being paid by Paperblanks to say that!)
By contrast, there is really nothing less important than how beautiful the contents of your diary are. One of my most beautiful diaries opens on a harrowing sexual fantasy. If you only think disgusting thoughts and you hate stickers and your handwriting is rotten, that’s fine. If you want to beautify your diary, that’s okay too, but the important thing is that you are true to yourself. And sometimes your "self" is utterly appalling.
Find pens that work for you
I’m not particularly interested in pens because I have terrible penmanship (incurable, I’ve tried everything) but since I started using fineliners I’ve never looked back. I can’t write in my diary with anything else, especially not regular pens. Figure out which pens you enjoy writing with, it makes a huge difference!
Become dependent on writing as a coping mechanism
It’s better than alcoholism or cutting yourself. Probably. I’ve never been an alcoholic or a self-harmer so you can’t take my word for it.
Write about the mundane
People always tell me they want to write a diary but their life is really boring and they have nothing to write about. There are two ways of looking at this: firstly, almost everyone’s life is boring day-to-day, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth writing about! And secondly, if your life is so truly dull that you have nothing at all to write down, journaling is a way to develop some passion- you can’t just sit around and expect excitement to find you, you have to hunt it down! Since I started journaling I definitely started seeking out more experiences in life and it’s been really fulfilling. So, there is no excuse!
Your life is going to change beyond recognition
I am a completely different person than I was when I started journaling. I am also a completely different person than who I was a year ago. Maybe this is vain, but I think it’s fascinating to observe these tectonic changes in yourself, and spotting the things that have remained the same is comforting. It's nice to be able to return to moments in your life that have passed forever, every so often.
It’s good for your mental health
We don’t need science to know that there's a positive correlation between keeping a diary and happiness. (Editor’s note: originally I was going to look for studies but then I couldn’t be bothered :P) Writing down your feelings is cathartic and helps you recognise good and bad patterns in your own behaviour. Plus, the tactile experience of writing is good for you. Gets you off that damn puter.
You WILL appreciate it in the future
I promise!
To find your voice
Initially I was going to say “you become a better writer” but that isn’t true for everyone- I still write like an illiterate- and besides, not everyone cares about that. I work in STEM, when will writing skills ever matter for me?! But journaling has helped me learn to express myself more truthfully because I’ve learned what to express. It’s about knowing yourself. Speaking of,
Know your enemy
Because you’re your own greatest critic, right? Keeping a diary has really helped me figure out how I was sabotaging myself. It also helped me realise that I was a disgusting person too, in ways that I have been able to remedy. It can be sobering to look back and realise you weren’t in the right, or that you have some fucked up habits or ways of thinking, but recognising that is the first step in fixing yourself. And sometimes it’s just good information to sit with, even if you do nothing with it.
So, those are some reasons I think everyone should write a diary. If you already write one, I hope this has affirmed your life choices. If you don't, what are you waiting for?! Get on it!!