Diary contains life notes written based on your unique point of view. Apart from being a means of storing memories, a diary can also have other benefits: it fosters creativity, maintains mental health, and helps you become a better writer. Keeping a daily diary can be a repetitive and tedious activity. In the not too distant future you will begin to feel like there is nothing more to write about. However, with dedication and a little creativity, you can reap the benefits of keeping a diary every day for a whole year, or more.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Get into the habit of writing every day
Step 1. Keep the diary in an easily accessible place
One of the hardest parts of keeping a daily diary is getting used to writing every day. An easy tip to get into the habit of doing this is to keep your diary somewhere easy to access and view.
- Many people carry a diary with them everywhere. They keep it in their pocket, bag, or backpack. That way, you can keep a diary whenever an idea to write comes up.
- Others prefer to keep the diary in an easily accessible place at home, such as on a bedside table. Keeping a diary where it can be seen can help remind you to write every day.
Step 2. Schedule time to write
Many people find setting a specific time to write each day can help. The time that many choose between before going to bed or early in the morning. Both options give you the opportunity to reflect on what happened the previous day.
- Having a writing schedule helps you establish a daily writing routine. A writing schedule reduces the chances of you forgetting, and gets your brain into the habit of writing at specific times. Eventually, you'll find that the words begin to flow more easily when it's time to write.
- Of course, you can keep a diary any time! Having a writing schedule doesn't mean you shouldn't write if inspiration strikes suddenly. You are also free to write more than once a day if the urge to write suddenly arises.
Step 3. Don't be afraid of what other people say
The purpose of keeping a diary is for you, not for anyone else. When you're keeping a diary, don't worry too much about spelling and grammar rules or how other people judge what you write.
- Getting caught up in the rules can distract or slow down the writing process, and will ultimately stifle creativity.
- Writing for self-interest, or just for yourself, can help you get to know yourself better, reduce stress, help resolve conflicts with others, and process difficult emotions. This method can have a positive impact on your health, both mentally and physically.
- If you decide to share something in your diary with someone else, you can always edit it later if you're concerned about spelling and grammar.
Step 4. Create a “template” for the entry
You'll have days when your writing flows smoothly and naturally, while other days it's really hard to get started. In these tough days, having pre-made questions you can answer, and creating some kind of writing template can get you started. Here are some suggestions you can use:
- What did I do yesterday/today?
- What lessons can I learn?
- How do I feel today?
- What makes me grateful?
- What did I read yesterday/today?
- What are my plans today/tomorrow?
- What is the most important thing I need to get done today/tomorrow/this week? Why?
Step 5. Use bullet points for short entries
On certain days you may not have much time to write, or you may not be in the mood. In this case, it's fine to write a short entry using bullet points about an event or thought that crossed your mind that day.
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For example, an entry might read something like this:
- Met Sari for lunch at Sate Senayan.
- Worried about a new work project. Will the funds be approved?
- Started reading Crime and Punishment, so far interesting, but a little hard to follow.
- Sometimes, bullet points can be expanded into longer entries at a later date if you get the chance. Even if you don't, it's better to write a few small notes than to skip a day's writing schedule.
Step 6. Don't give up if you go a day without writing
If one day, for whatever reason, you can't write in your diary, don't be discouraged. This diary is for you, and there is no absolute rule that says you have to write every day.
However, try not to miss more than two days in a row. If you do, it could potentially interfere with your daily writing habits
Method 2 of 3: Keeping It Interesting
Step 1. Consider giving a specific purpose to the diary
There may be times in life when you feel as though not much is going on. This condition can make it difficult for you to write something interesting every day. One way to get around this situation is to dedicate a certain goal to your diary, and write about it every day. For example, you could try the following ideas:
- A project diary, where you keep track of the progress of several ongoing projects, whether personal or professional.
- A gratitude diary, in which you write each day about something you are grateful for.
- A nature diary, where you write about plants, animals, weather, and other natural things you see every day.
- A dream diary, and there you write about the dream when you wake up each morning (if you can't remember the dream, just write down that you don't).
Step 2. Enter the details in the text
Getting into the habit of writing down events in all the details will make your entries more interesting. Plus, a diary becomes much more useful if you need to remember something one day.
- Even something interesting can look bland if it's described without much detail. For example, you might write: "I watched my favorite band's concert last night." The writing is not very interesting.
- On the other hand, if you write down the thunderous applause, the amazing guitar solo, and the moment when the singer bends down and kisses the cheek of an audience in the front row, the memories come alive. Those details make the incident more interesting to write about, and read at a later date.
Step 3. Write about your thoughts and feelings, not just events
In the same way, writing will be more interesting if you describe a personal reflection on the event that happened to you, not just the event itself, or your emotional response.
- Following the previous example, you could describe the anticipation you feel at the moment before all of your favorite band members walk onto the stage, how the bass makes your whole body vibrate, how excited and happy you are when they play your favorite song, and so on.
- It can also help you use a diary to process your feelings during difficult times.
Step 4. Be honest
Remember, this post is just for you. Keeping a diary with honest personal reflections will make the experience more rewarding for you. In addition, honesty also makes writing more interesting.
Holding back feelings while writing journal entries will make the writing experience less satisfying. Since you are writing for yourself, you should feel free to explore your thoughts and feelings deeply and substantially, without fear of judgment
Step 5. Use a diary as a creative writing tool
Most people think of diaries as personal stories, and it's true, many diaries are filled with personal stories. However, don't be afraid to use a diary to write more creatively, especially if you feel like you don't have much to say about your own life.
- Some people use a diary to write short stories and other works of fiction.
- You can write a poem you read or an inspiring song lyric in a diary, or better yet, use it as a tool to try writing your own poetry or song.
- The material written in a diary can be the first draft of something you will develop later, or it can be a piece of personal writing that remains in the diary.
Step 6. Add the image
Another way to make your diary more interesting is to use it for more than just writing. Live diary with pictures!
- You can use a full image as you would normally use on a scrapbook page, or a simple image and doodles added in the margins.
- You can use a diary as a means to keep small mementos of the events you tell. For example, after watching a concert by your favorite band, you could tape the ticket snippet on the page you used to write about the concert.
Method 3 of 3: Choosing Inspiring Material
Step 1. Find an interesting diary
Some people feel that it does not matter what is used as a diary. Some people may agree. However, many people feel that having the right diary will make the writing process easier.
- Purchase a diary at the store so you can choose and examine the various options, holding them in your hand to get a feel for them.
- Choose a diary that appeals to you, but not one that is so beautiful that you feel sorry for writing it down or creating a mess. Keeping a diary doesn't focus on neatness and order. The best diaries are often messy and jumbled.
- Consider the size of the diary. Many people like to carry a diary with them everywhere. If you anticipate this, a smaller diary may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you're planning to create an artistic scrapbook-style diary, you may need something bigger.
Step 2. Experiment with different pens
Some people say they find it easier to write using certain types of pens. If cheap disposable pens aren't a problem for you, there's no need to sweat it. However, if you prefer a nicer pen, spend the extra money on a stationery that makes you comfortable using it for writing.
Again, go to a bookstore or art supply store and try different pens. See which one suits you best. The goal is to make you want to write so that you can adopt the habit of writing every day
Step 3. Consider writing an online journal
Not everyone chooses paper to write a diary. While many people find it more creative and focused when writing in a physical book, others are quite content with keeping an online diary.
- Online diaries have a small risk of being lost. On the other hand, there is always the possibility that the diary can be hacked or the server crashes. Consider the pros and cons first before deciding what is best for you.
- If you choose an online diary, there are many options available such as Livejournal, Penzu, or Diary.com. Some of these websites allow you to share some posts publicly, while others are kept to yourself.
Tips
- You can make your diary more interesting by giving it a personal touch. Paste a photo of yourself, a photo of your favorite actor/actress, your pet, friends, or anything you like on the outside (or inside) of your diary.
- If you don't know what to write, just write down the lyrics to the best song you heard that day, or something that really grabs your attention. You can even rant about something that irritated you that day. In short, write something down.
- Try adding historical details about the place you are visiting. You can do some research about the places you visit and write it down in a diary. If you're really running out of ideas, you can write about the history of some random household item.
- You can add pictures, doodles, and even comic strips to your diary to make it more interesting.
