Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Buy Stationery
• Part 2 of 3: Try to write every day
• Part 3 of 3: Choose Topics
• Tips
• Warnings

A personal diary allows you to sort out your feelings, follow the pleasant events of life and just write more often. Buy stationery that you like, decide on a time that is comfortable for you to keep a journal, and decide what to write about.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Buy Stationery

1. 1 Choose the appropriate type of diary. There are many ways to keep a diary, and you don't have to use a paper notebook. In addition to the traditional diary, there are options such as specialized sites or blogs with access settings and password protection. You can also create a regular electronic document on your computer.
   • Paper notebooks provide complete control and privacy, but you will have no other way to create a backup copy of your diary than to make a photocopy of it.
   • It should be remembered that any information on the network can become the object of unauthorized hacking, so even the password and privacy settings do not provide one hundred percent protection.
2. 2 Choose a paper diary. If you decide to stick with the paper version, then you will need to buy a notebook. You can use any general notebook, spiral notebook or notebook with dividers, or you can choose a more pleasant-looking option and buy yourself a leather-bound notebook or a notebook with thick and high-quality paper.
   • An excellent option for a paper diary would be a moleskin notebook or a special notebook.
   • Any stationery store has a section with notebooks and notebooks. Explore all the shelves and choose the option you like. Many people quit keeping a diary if they don't like it outwardly.
   • For added security, you can buy a padded pad. Keep the key to the lock in a safe place.
3. 3 Buy writing instruments. You can keep a diary with a variety of accessories. So, you can use an ordinary ballpoint pen or pencil that you can find at home.Colored pens, fountain pens, colored pencils, and markers are also suitable. The more you like the tool, the more often you will use it.

Part 2 of 3: Try to write every day

1. 1 Come up with a schedule. If you want to keep a diary every day, set aside a specific time for that. You can write down expectations from the coming day immediately after waking up or talk about the events that happened in the evening. The timing is not as important as the consistency of your notes.
   • Use your smartphone, watch, or computer to set an alarm or reminder and remember to take notes at the same time.
2. 2 Determine time limits. Some days you will have nothing to say, and sometimes you will feel like writing all day. Time frames will help you structure your diary text and help you form a daily habit. Start with 10-15 minutes a day, but if this time is not enough, then the scope can always be expanded.
   • Try setting an alarm or timer to avoid looking at your watch.
3. 3 Choose a suitable location. Writing in the same place every day will quickly develop a habit, develop a pattern of behavior, and create more orderly text. It doesn't matter where you take notes (in a cafe or in your bedroom), as long as you always keep a journal in the same place.
   • You can go even further and sit in the same chair or at the same table each time.
4. 4 Don't quit keeping a journal. You do not need to put pressure on yourself so that the diary is a joy to you. It's okay if you miss a couple of days. Just remember to summarize the time passed next time.

Part 3 of 3: Choose Topics

1. 1 Start with a quote or verse. Opening your new and still empty diary is a little intimidating. If you're unsure where to start, write down one of your favorite quotes or poem. This will help you find inspiration and also release the tension that comes with the first diary entry.
   • Write in your diary and other quotes or poems that you like.
2. 2 Please include the date of recording. Remember to date every new entry. This will help you remember the day when a certain event happened, or trace the chronology of your records and life after a while. Select the date format.
   • In a formal diary, you can enter a full date like July 14, 2018.
   • You can also use an abbreviated version: 07/14/2018 or 07/14/18.
   • If you have a new diary every year, then you can indicate 14/07.
3. 3 Alternate between different types of posts. You don't have to stick to the same type of entries throughout your diary. A diary is a place to write down your thoughts, and thoughts can be very different. Among other things, the following options are possible:
   • regular records with division into paragraphs;
   • to-do lists;
   • drawings;
   • poems;
   • stories.
4. 4 Take short notes. It is not necessary to write several sheets of paper in a notebook each time. Sometimes a single paragraph summarizing the events of the day is enough, especially at first.
   • It is also not necessary to stick to short entries only. If you want to write down a lot of different ideas and thoughts, or a large number of events happened during the day, then voluminous recordings will be quite appropriate.
5. 5 Use a hint phrase if you don't know what to write. Sometimes there will be so many or so few thoughts that it is not clear where to start. Try writing, “So today I ...” and then write down the first thing that comes to your mind. After that, the difficulties with the topic for the recording should disappear.
   • Similar hint phrases can be found online. The internet is a great source of inspiration.
6. 6 Write to others. Sometimes there is a desire to share thoughts with certain people. If you don't have the opportunity to talk or you no longer communicate, then the diary will be the way out. So, some things need to be said to yourself. Writing in a diary with a reference to another person will help you turn the page and deal with your feelings.
   • If you do not know how to start such a recording, then write in the form of a regular letter with the date and address at the top of the page.
7. 7 Write about what you want to forget. At first glance, this is contrary to common sense, but the entries in the diary help to forget certain events. Put your thoughts on paper and your brain will be less likely to return to this topic.
   • For example, at work or school, you find yourself in an awkward situation. Write down all the details of this incident in a diary so as to throw it out of your head and not return to the situation again and again.
8. 8 Express your gratitude. A great way to expand your entries is to list the events, people, and things you are grateful for on that day. You can also record all the joyful and pleasant moments.
   • A short note like “it was sunny today” or a detailed conversation with a friend will do.
9. 9 Write sincerely and truthfully. The main charm of the diary is that it gives us the opportunity to express thoughts as frankly as possible and absolutely not worry about someone else's opinion. Trust the diary with your deepest fears and secrets, because it will not let it out. The urge to self-censor can dampen your enthusiasm, so write as openly and without shyness as possible.

Tips

• If you have no idea for notes, then read books written in diary format. You will find a lot of ideas and inspiration in them!
• Do not tear out the pages from the diary, as after a few years you will regret it.
• You don't always have to take written notes. If you want to express your feelings in a drawing, then do not limit yourself.

Warnings

• Titles like "My Diary" or "Top Secret" will only draw attention. Don't write such phrases on the cover if you don't want your diary to be read.