A diary is used for recording and archiving your day. Your journal comes in when you want to explore and reflect on thoughts, feelings, situations and experiences through writing. So, if writing in your journal hasn't been helping you move forward in life, it's probably because you've been keeping a diary. And if your diary feels too heavy to use every day, you might have been journaling.
Let's explore the difference between a diary and a journal, so you can use them to your advantage.
What is a diary?
As mentioned before, a diary is used for recording and archiving your day through writing. You can record every day, create a weekly overview, or do a monthly catch-up. The point of keeping a diary (to me) is reliving interesting moments, recording beautiful memories, and learning to enjoy mundane and daily life. But there’s also room to record the tougher days, the bad days, and the ‘I didn’t even get out of bed’ weeks.
For me personally, keeping a diary is also part of creating my own piece of history. I like knowing that I can grab one of my old diaries and read it. It’s nice to know that I cared enough about my own life and my hard work to record it. Every time I look in one of my old diaries, I learn something new about myself. I get to be proud all over again, or relive a great day, or catch myself doing the same bad habit in the present. Oops!
From recording my daily groceries, to that one time I went to the movies with a date, or my holiday to Greece. It’s all in my diary so I can’t forget my own life. Because, to be honest, I often have a hard time being in the moment. Writing in my diary helps me reconnect and align my heart, head and life at the same time. Scribbling down what happened during the day helps me process and understand my life better.
And it’s also really, really fun to doodle, use my stickers, and to create collages.
What is a journal?
A journal is used to explore and reflect on thoughts, feelings, situations, and experiences through writing. My personal opinion is that journaling should also help you improve yourself so you can move forward in life. People usually journal when they are stuck on something, or feel like expressing themselves in detail. Some people journal every day, some whenever they feel they need it. There are no rules.
I do think that having a set moment to journal is good for your mental health. Because nipping unpleasant thoughts or feelings in the bud, is better than waiting to journal after the fact. However, writing endlessly about things that are not going your way without improving makes no sense to me. That’s why I always recommend giving your journal a purpose, or a goal.
For example: I had a pretty big career crisis on my hands last year. I dedicated a portion of my journal to figuring out why I felt so out of touch with my work. Instead of being angry about and getting even more frustrated through writing, I used my journal to figure out how to fix it. I didn’t just vent and complain. Nope, I wrote about possible solutions, drew a timeline, and planned steps to change my career. It worked, I run this beautiful stationery brand now. Yay!
Do you need a diary and/or a journal?
Great question, let’s figure it out! First of all, there are no rules. You can do whatever you want. You can even combine a diary and a journal, but for practical reasons I personally do not. For example: my journal contains my deepest and most personal thoughts. I want them to stay private, so I often lock my journal in my closet where no one can get to it. I also fill two to four pages when I journal and would interrupt the flow of my diary.
I prefer my diary to be a second book where every day, week or month has a page or two without interruption. Just like a history book where you could flip through the recordings of interesting events without too many disruptive pieces of text in between. My diary also lives on my desk because it’s quite light hearted and airy. I wouldn’t mind if someone took a peek, because last night’s dinner isn’t classified information, haha!
So, the question becomes: What do you like? Sometimes you just have to try it out. When I started, I chose a hybrid solution. I had my diary and journal in one notebook. But it felt unpleasant to have a rant about an annoying colleague on page one, and a happy recording of my day on page two. The rant felt too heavy next to the light hearted diary entry. It took the fun out of keeping my diary in the same book. That’s why I’ve split them up.
I also like to decorate my diary with stickers, ephemera or a movie ticket I saved. My journal is filled with writing, scribbles and lists. It really is my safe space to get in and out of my head by exploring, reflecting, planning and getting myself into action mode. As you can see, the possibilities of keeping a diary and/or a journal are endless. There’s no right or wrong, as long as it’s fun or helps you move forward in life.
How to start your own writing practice
It’s easier than you think. You can start with an old notebook you already have lying around somewhere. Then figure out why you’d want to keep a diary and/or a journal. Determine a clear goal or a purpose like:
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I want to relax without screen time.
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I want to be more creative and use my hands more
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I’m going to figure out what I want my life to look like in five years
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I would love to have a safe place to vent or dream
I recommend having a clear goal or purpose because it makes writing easier. Knowing why you’re writing in your journal, or why you’re keeping a diary keeps you on track. You don’t have to be afraid of the blank page because you know exactly what to write about. It also becomes really fun to see your progress right in front of you. And again: There are no rules and you can’t do anything wrong. You can write exactly the way you like.
Eventually you’ll find a nice rhythm for yourself. I have my Sunday resets, where I take the afternoon or night to sit down and go through my diary, planner, habit tracker and journal. I have a nice cup of tea and enjoy the Ghibli movie in the background. It has become a moment I can enjoy all by myself. And it’s amazing! And if I don’t like it anymore, I simply switch it up.
My journal and diary resources
No worries, I’ve got you. I have a lot of free and paid resources to help you keep a diary or start a journal. I’ve listed them below so you can check them out. Feel free to ask questions or shoot me a DM on Instagram or TikTok. I’m happy to help.
Now, off you go. Grab your pen and write!
Writing tips and journal prompts
➡️ The 12-Month Journal Journey through snail mail
➡️ Tarot journal prompts on YouTube
➡️ Daily writing inspiration on Instagram and TikTok
➡️ Download the free ring binder insert for your journal
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