We tend to think of diaries as something for young kids, or for teenage girls, and many of us would blush at the mere thought of keeping a diary into adulthood — never mind once we were parents in our own right, and our children were keeping their own diaries.
But there are a series of tremendous benefits to keeping a diary as an adult, and just because this pastime has fallen from popularity, doesn’t mean that it’s not worth exploring all the same.
If you are not a native English speaker but want to keep a diary in English for the sake of more easily sharing it with others one day, resources like Effortless English can help you become more comfortable with the language.
In all other cases, however, you may as well get started today.
Here are some reasons why you should really consider keeping a diary as an adult.
It can contribute to a future autobiography or memoir
It’s a somewhat common idea that autobiographies and memoirs are only for celebrities who have achieved the kinds of things that ordinary people could never dream of, but that’s an unfortunate assumption.
Everyone has stories to tell, sometimes more dramatic, sometimes less, but when presented properly all of our lives can be worth reading about.
Keeping a diary can help you to recollect the details of particular events and periods of your life, in order that you can one day write an autobiography.
Don’t assume that any autobiography you released would have to be published exclusively with the aim in mind of becoming a bestseller, either. Even just self-publishing an autobiography could serve as a great way of sharing your stories with your kids, and deepening your family connections.
It can help you to gather your thoughts and come to terms with your struggles
People often aren’t very good at talking about their problems and woes in a productive way. All too often, such conversations turn into arguments, or the allocation of blame, and we’re left struggling to come to terms with ourselves all the same.
Keeping a diary can be a great way of gathering your thoughts, comparing them to the events of the day, and trying to get to the bottom of things.
Were we hungry all day? Could that have impacted our mood? Or was it that comment from a coworker?
Just writing these things down can be a tremendously effective way in coming to terms with them.
It can serve as a reminder of all the things to be grateful for in life
Each diary entry should include at least a line at the end, detailing things that you feel grateful for.
Performing this exercise on a regular basis, as well as looking for the good in each day and recording it in your diary, can help you to change your skewed thinking patterns and remember to be thankful for all of your assorted blessings.
Gratitude is a very powerful thing. It can be an antidote to bitterness, resentment, and sorrow. Keeping a diary can help you to remember all the things that you should be grateful for.
What would you write in your diary?
I kept a diary as a teenager, as most do, I also wrote daily diaries for the children when I was a child minder, which helped with future planning of activities #wow@_karendennis
I used to keep a gratitude journal. My goal was to write at least 1 thing I was grateful for every day for 1000 days. I got to about day 95, and the entries became more sporadic, then died out. I should revive this journal and make it more comprehensive. Maybe writing it online, rather than longhand would be more appealing to me.
Every night I do a quick little tweet listing three things I am grateful for that day. It’s fast and easy and sometimes I get others to do the same.
I love journaling, I have about 4 diaries. One for events, One for thoughts and What I believe God is saying to me, One for notes to do with writing/work ideas/topics schedules .things I musnt forget! 🙂 he he. And a dream journal
I love keeping a diary. It is so nice to look back to see how far I have come in life and to see all the many blessings of my Lord and Savior. Thank you so much for sharing this