Writing in a diary feels like something from a long time ago. It was something we did when we felt misunderstood as kids, had a crush at school, or suddenly obsessed over a celebrity. We’d pull out that notebook—maybe even with a lock—and secretly jot down our thoughts and feelings.
But as we grew up, life got busier. Schoolwork piled up, jobs took over, and diary writing faded into childhood memories.
“My daily life is the same; there’s nothing to write about.”
“Nothing special happened today.”
“Writing every day feels like another chore.”
“Even if a lot happens, I can’t find the right words.”
But guess what? Keeping a diary might actually help you sort through confusion and tackle those pesky emotional issues.
The reason "nothing to write" is super common. Our daily routines become so repetitive that we stop noticing the little things around us. Our minds start to ignore anything outside of work or school, thinking it’s not important—even if we’ll forget it by tomorrow.
We carelessly sum up life by just a few enchanting moments, believing only those are worth noting.
But is our life really only worth a few pages? What leads to those moments?
It’s those thoughtful decisions that lead us to escape our routines for a trip, where we catch a sunset that feels like a glimpse of paradise. It’s the late-night planning and discussions that make a friend’s perfect proposal happen, surrounded by loved ones. It’s the memories of hanging out with family and old friends that push us to sneak back hometown on weekends, creating and cherishing every chance to meet.
The journey matters more than the result. This truth deepens as we live our lives.
In our diaries, we record not just what happened today, but also the triggers and processes that spark our thoughts. By finding the different shades in seemingly repetitive days, we remind ourselves that we’re living.
Another big reason we don’t write is “I don’t know how to express myself.” Writing takes time to think about the right words and to form a complete thought.
With so much information coming at us, many of us only deal with words at the level of “reading” and “understanding.” High-frequency consumption and low-frequency expression create a barrier, making it hard to find the precise words for our feelings in the moment.
Diary writing isn’t like publishing articles; it’s a long-term process. Just express yourself as best as you can—even if it’s rough. Honestly, you’re the only reader of that diary. Over time, you’ll get better with words, and if you create your own language, isn’t that another “life moment”?
Once we start writing in a diary, we find ourselves more eager to record things immediately, read more, reflect, and even try new things.
Believe it or not, no two days are exactly the same. The wind on your face today is different from yesterday’s—smoother or harsher. The fries I ate today, compared to those I had last week, must have a few that felt the fryer was too hot and made a desperate escape, awkwardly lying on the tray.
Life deserves to leave its mark. There’s no grand reason for it; just the fact that we’re working hard to live makes it all worth recording.