Writing in a diary is a great way to process your thoughts and feelings. No matter how old you are, what stage of life you’re in, or what your future plans are, a diary can help you keep track of your goals and your daily life. If you’ve never written in a diary before, starting one can seem a bit intimidating—but don’t let that stop you! Once you get started, the words will start flowing easily.

1

Try to write every day.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re super busy, even just 10 minutes will help you get into the habit. You can set a timer on your phone and write continuously until it goes off to make sure you fill out the page. Try writing first thing in the morning, before you go to bed, or on your lunch break.[1]
    • Write to pass the time when you're riding in a car or on a bus.These trips are a good opportunity to jot down your thoughts and ideas.
  2. Advertisement
3

Jot down things about ordinary days.

PDF download Download Article
12

Keep your diary private.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It will help you stay honest and true when you write in it. Put it somewhere that your parents or siblings can’t find it: a closet, a drawer, or under the bed. If you know that you’re the only one reading your entries, you’ll be much more likely to use your diary all the time.[12]
    • If you’re super worried about someone else reading your diary, get one with a lock on it.
    • Or, keep an online diary in a password-protected folder.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Where can I buy a good diary?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Bookstores often sell very nice diaries. Sometimes even the school supplies section of a grocery store will have some quality options. You can always search online for your perfect diary and order it.
  • Question
    Should I use a pen or a pencil?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's up to you! But if you make a mistake when writing, it is easier to write in a good quality pencil so that you can rub it out.
  • Question
    Can I write the diary in a different language?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you know a second language, or want to make one up, go ahead! It's your diary! As long as you can read it again later, it's fine.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • If you accidentally skip writing for a day, don’t sweat it. Aim to write every day, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss it once or twice.[13]

Tips from our Readers

  • If you are looking for a hiding place for your diary, pick a book cover to attach to your diary. People will think it is a book, so pick a book cover that is boring. Or, label your diary like a math, reading, history, etc. notebook.
  • If someone finds your diary and reads it, don't be too mad. Just tell them not to touch your personal things.
  • If you’re afraid someone’s going to look in your dairy, hide it or get a diary with a lock and key.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

About This Article

Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD
Co-authored by:
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
This article was co-authored by Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Florida. She specializes in working with adults on anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. She is also the Chief Wellness Adviser for global esports organization Misfits Gaming Group. Dr. Rubenstein holds a BA in Psychology from Duke University, an MA in Psychology from Harvard University, and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of Miami. She also has a Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing through the EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association). This article has been viewed 191,066 times.
61 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 23
Updated: October 13, 2024
Views: 191,066
Categories: Diary Writing
Article SummaryX

To use a diary, carry it with you and try to write for at least 10 minutes every day to get yourself in the habit. Start by writing the date at the top of your entry, then write down major life events, everyday details, your feelings, dreams, to-do lists, and anything else you'd like. Don't worry about writing perfect sentences, just write whatever comes naturally to you and try to avoid editing yourself. You can also use your diary for drawing, art, poetry, song lyrics, and collecting keepsakes! For tips on using your diary to set and achieve goals, read on!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,066 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Sophia Cann

    Sophia Cann

    Dec 17, 2020

    "Thank you for the article! It helped me to know what to write in my diary because I'm really bad at deciding!..." more
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement