Do you keep a journal or a diary?
By fruitcakeliz
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
United States
July 20, 2009 12:32am CST
How many people out there keep a journal or a diary? And if you do, and have for some time, do you enjoy going back and pulling out ones from the past and purusing through them to read about your thoughts and experiences from the past?
I find it both amusing and thought provoking. I enjoy flipping though old entries and getting a good laugh at things that happened in my life i may have forgotten about, or reading about how i was feeling at certain times in my life any comparing them to how i feel today about certain topics or issues. To me it is the ultimate form of recording memories, as journal entries tell so much more than a picture does. When you look at a pictures, you might remember the when and where the picture was taken, and maybe even why, but do you ever really remember how you were feeling at that time?
6 people like this
19 responses
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
20 Jul 09
I used to, but nowadays I just have a blog to update my thoughts and feelings. I put everything under draft if I don't wish to store publicly online..
I agree with whatever form it is; whether it's through a journal, diary or a blog, the purpose is to record our thoughts and feelings and be happy with whatever we have achieved in life.
Life is short and it's best to take in everything and enjoy life. I also jot down notes on my work stuffs like if I don't have any papers, I'd use it to record down in my blog drafts too..
1 person likes this
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I stopped keeping a traditional diary, too. But I blog every day. I love blogging because I like to have the audience every once in a while. I have been through a traumatic experience recently, and I have been thinking that maybe I should keep a personal diary, just to vent the things that I don't feel right saying out loud.
I do agree, though; sometimes just having the physical book in front of you makes everything seem a bit different!
2 people like this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I have done an online blog as well, one that wasn't published for public veiw, but there is just something about putting pen to paper that makes it more interesting for me. When i look back at my past journal entries i can tell even more about my state of mind at the time by seeing HOW i was writing....my was my hand writing frantic as though i was upset? Or was my handwriting beautiful and flowing, as it is when i am happy about something? and i also doodle a lot in my journals....
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
21 Jul 09
I'm sure most of us love blogging.. it is indeed fun.
For your traumatic experience, there is this website that you can just vent your secret without revealing your name.. it's in my Twitter list.. I can get you the name of the site if you want..
1 person likes this
@BishounenNerd (373)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Lately I've been keeping a dream diary. I'm interested in seeing what kinds of things I dream about and exploring what they could possibly mean.
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I don't keep a dream diary per-se...but i do try to keep a notebook and pen somewhere near by so when i wake up form one of those weird, strange dreams that just doesn't really make sense, i can jot down the things i remember as soon as i wake up. Sometimes they are so funny...other times it is fun to try and pick them apart and figure out why certain people or events keep popping up!
2 people like this
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I used to keep a dream diary a few years ago. I was about 20 years old and I kept having dreams that I was pregnant! Every weird, little thing I had a dream about for the next few months, I wrote down in my diary. I don't keep a diary anymore, but I think I should. I went through a pretty traumatic experience a few months ago, and my sleep has suffered, a lot. I think it might be theraputic to write down all of my nightmares, and really think about where they are coming from.
2 people like this
@Archie0 (5636)
•
20 Jul 09
Writing dairy is a good habit. Dont take the advice those some one. Dairy is personal. But write the dairy daily. Advantages are there in this activity. Those are, u can relax ur tension, u can remember the old events, u can refer the incidents for any purpose, If any mischief happens Ur dairy only the proof. suppose if u are a girl and if any harm happens to u, u can refer the old incidents to give complaints. If any thing happen to u that means murder attack and if u die, sorry to mention like this, the police can refer ur dairy and arrest the real person. like this so many advantages are there. Disadvantages also there if u compare advantages to disadvantages , advantages are more so write the diary. Another thing it improves ur writing skill and expression power. ok
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
thanks zatak...i am glad you agree...it is a fun and interesting way to rember your past!
archie..well..i can only hope that my journal will never have to be used in such grim circumstances...but you do have a point
@voldrox (7191)
• India
20 Jul 09
well i maintain a diary and i write in it my day to day events, and my feelings... somewhat today each day looks similar but when you read your previous entries it all so seems to be different, i really enjoy turning back my pages and going through some of the things that have happened to me... just brings in nice flashbacks and also brings some things back that you sometimes forget... it is all wonderful, and yeah i too compare those old feelings to what we are going through right now...
there is certainly no better way to remember your past other than your photographs.enjoy your diary
1 person likes this
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I have always tried to keep a daily diary, but I always would forget after a few weeks! Most of the diaries I have had in my life have started out to be daily, then goes down to weekly, then to monthly, then it's just a piece of the past. It's still fun to look through the old entries and see who you were a few years ago.
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I have never been able to maintain a DAILY diary...i am lucky if i write in it once a week...but anytime something exciting or disapointing or interesting happens, i always try to jot it down in there.
My grandmother kept a daily journal. When she passed i spent sometime browsing through them. She always started out with the date, and the weather for the day, and then would list even the most boring mundane tasks that were accomplished that day, but it was always interesting to red her point of veiw on things. If something big had happened in the news, there was always something in there about it, and her thoughts on it....It was a wonderful way to feel closer to her, even after she was gone.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I was more over refering to writing in a diary, keeping track of day to day events, keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings over time, but keeping up to date by reading/watching the news is always a good habit. We have to keep ourselves informed about the world around us!
1 person likes this
@dianas286 (4)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I do keep a journal, though I don't write in it every single day. It seems as though I mainly write in it when I am upset or angry... it's a great way to vent and let out your frustrations. In fact, sometimes it can help you to work out an issue because you are seeing it there in front of your face rather than just hearing it.
2 people like this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
21 Jul 09
exactly! I a a very visual person, and when working out problems or issues, i find it is much easier to write down all the facts. When i can re-read them and actually see it spelled out infront of me, it makes it easier to make a descision about how to handle it.
@britster246 (50)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Well, I use to have many journals because I have always loved writing. But, I unfortunately don't really have a journal now because I don't seem to have the time to keep up with it anymore. As for looking back at my old journals, I a get a lot of enjoyment out of doing this. I think it's amazing to see how my personality changed over time and what kind of emotions I was going through in different phases of my life. Also, I really agree with you about a journal being the ultimate form of recording memories. It tells exactly how you were feeling at that very moment and the ideas that were in your mind at that present time. No picture could ever compare!
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I couldn't have put it better myself! It sounds like it is time to start a new one for you, even if you only spend five minutes a week on it!
@britster246 (50)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Yes, I agree! After talking about it on this discussion, I realized that I really missed writing in a journal. I want to still be able to have memories to look back on the next few years ahead. Thanks for the discussion. :)
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
That is a very good idea. My journal at home is actually stuffed with all kinds of scraps of paper because i never have anything to write in when i am not at home and inspiration hits me, or something happenes that i just don't want to forget!
good luck with your future writing career!
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
21 Jul 09
yes, I keep a diary. I have been doing that for the past twenty years or so. I do like to keep notes of the special events in my life, especially those related to my career. I should say I am a career-minded person, and place value and importance to achievements and failures in the course of my career. Yes, I do take a look of the past years once in a while to remind myself of what exactly had taken place then.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
21 Jul 09
What a good way to keep track of how far you have come in your career. I am sure something like that can also come in handy when it comes time to do yearly appraisals at work. If they work anything like they do at many places i have worked, they look for you to show your accomplishments from the past in order to kind of prove why you deserve a raise. I always tend to forget a lot of the things i had done for my company over the year until it is too late!
@neknek (249)
• Philippines
20 Jul 09
i do have a journal, but i don't really write on it that much. i bought my last one at december, but i only have 4 entries, haha. i sometimes put my thoughts on random pieces of paper *notebook, yellow pad paper, returned examination papers, etc.* but nothing too personal since someone might see.
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I am like that with my journal as well. I'll go through phases where i will write in it almost every day for a week, but then i'll put it aside and not write in it for up to a couple months before i get the urge again. You should get yourself a lidded box, then take all those little papes you jot your thoughts down on, write a date on them at the top, then throw them in the box. That is just as interesting to sit down and look through on occasion. You can ever toss things like ticket stubs, programs from shows, or other little trinkets from random events in your life into it. When you look through it you will be amazed at the way the thoughts and memories of these times in your life come flooding back when you look through them.
@gamerwestside (761)
• Mexico
21 Jul 09
Yes i maintain diary.But not daily.I write dairy for my special emotions or mood.When i learn something,or stuck into something or when i get upset or on my birthday,I write diary.My diary is very special to me.I have shared all my emotion in there.For me writing diary is clearing your thoughts.
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I do that to...i always try to write something on or around my brithday. Usually a synopsis of what has changed in my life in the past year, and a few goals for the next year. Then on my next birthday i can read over it and see if i was able to obtain those goals!
@kcoregon (302)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I don't though I should! I always want to start one but never get around to it. But now your post makes me feel guilty for not following through and starting one. So now I am going to promise myself to buy a nice little notebook tomorrow to start writing down my thoughts. I do have one on the computer which I am writing things the kids have done to make me laugh or just sweet little things for my husband to read when he gets back from overseas. Thanks for the inspiration!
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
21 Jul 09
No need to feel guilty about it...but i am glad i could provde some inspiration! That is a very cool thing you are doing for your husband. I am sur he will enjoy reding through it when he gets back, fill him in on some of the day to day things he might have missed while he was gone.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Exactly...sometimes in life you just keep making the same mistakes over and over again...but if you have some kind of record of the descisions you made and what your reasonings were behind those descisions, it can come as a great help when faced with oemthing similar in the future!
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
20 Jul 09
Yes, I did once in highschool because we were required to write journal for our english class. but since i was lazy to write some events i decided to simply foret it adn tehn start again after more than a year not writing journal. until
i stopped, but i kept the journal and not threw it some where. @fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I think it would be fun for you to look for it and give it a read through! High school can be so full of crazy things....and that is what i love so much about keeping a journal..being able to look back and see how much i have grown as a person.
@stricken43 (347)
• Philippines
21 Jul 09
i tried making a diary before when i was in high school..and i often read them even today, and it really makes me laugh on the things that i wrote before..i am able to remember my friends in high school which are in lost contacts with me..and i also remember my rivals before..haha
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Isn't it great to be able to look back and laugh now at all the drama and such that was SO important back then....that just seems so trivial now? Thanks for responding!
@aztcgirl (267)
• United States
27 Jul 09
i dont but sometime i think i should because there is no one i can really talk to or get my thought out with and sometime there are song that inspire me to think it might be similar to what is going on in my life like the song obsessed. i had a guy totally obsessed with me and wouldn't back off until i put a restraining order on him. and sometime i feel like my problem are my problem no one else and no one should worry about what going on with me and dont want them to get mad because i have these feeling.... that always seem to happen. people have tency to get mad because i have stuff going on
@onlinerep01 (490)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Hello,
I have a online jounal , that I write on once on a while, I also have a website where I express the way I feel , because I'm a candle designer, so all the candles I design express the way I feel at the moment, it may be the color or the scent that I use to describe how I may be feeling at that present time, I also have a news section where I update current events about my candle business etc, so I think it a pretty cool online journal for me.
Happy My Lotting!
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
That is awesome that you have multiple creative outlets for expressing how you feel. I can totally see how creating something, be it candles, pottery, or any kind of artwork can be another way of expressing your feelings. Do you keep some of these pieces around your home as well? and if you do, when one of them catched your eye for some reason, are you able to recall the emotions and feelings you were having when you made it?
@ChrysanTflower (1607)
• Indonesia
27 Jul 09
I only write diary when there's special moment happened like my graduation day, my birthday or when I have conflict that make me sad or there's thing that make me happy on that day. I found it's quiet hard to call back again all memories of what happened and I feel quiet lazy to do that. But I enjoy so much read about all things and my feelings in past.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
It does seem that more people write when they are hurt, sad or depressed about something...but it can be great to also keep track of the exciting, fun things that happen in your life! Even if it is just something as simple as writing about going out for a night on the town with your friends and jotting down some funny quotes from the conversations you had. It can be a real boost later on if you are feeling sad, to read back through entries of happier times!
1 person likes this
@adellene (57)
•
20 Jul 09
well in my "situation", i dont have the time for that like writing what has happened and remembering all those crazy moments lolx, like the crushes, bruises, naked moments, inlove and so on,, it feels like putting myself back to the times where i feel so dumb and disgusting, it makes me feel like horable, and dirty ..OMG i cant believe im saying these but it's a reality for me where the things happened to me were all such a miserable..i dont know why the hell people do it to me,,I dont want to write it coz it makes me feel so sorry about myself and my past..:( i feel like crying..:(
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I am sorry, i didn't mean to upset anyone by making them think about bad things in their past. But you could always think of it as a learning experience. Instead of looking back at your pat and allowing yourself to feel sorry about it, look back and think about how you can/have become a stronger, better person because of it!
