Why do I write a diary
Articles and testimonials from users of my-diary.org
I began keeping a journal/diary in 1987 when I was in my early twenties and living on the other side of my country (USA). Over the years I have stuck with it consistently and in more and more detail as time went on. I have documented the ups and downs of my life in the five different states I've lived in, and have also written about my life before I began keeping a diary.
Naturally, the internet wasn't what it is today when I first started and I had a paper diary where I had to do everything by hand...hope I didn't spill my coffee on it, and that no one would find and steal it. I was thrilled once I was able to go digital. I love this diary site because I know my writing is safe and in a place that is easy to access and use.
I have both a private and a public account. In my private account, I can really let go and tell it like it is in a way that may offend some people or that they wouldn't quite understand. After all, I do write for myself first and foremost and I don't care to be judged and critiqued for my own thoughts, beliefs, opinions, feelings, and experiences. In a private diary, I am able to complain all I want about whatever and use real names and real places if I choose to.
I also have a public account for the less controversial and personal things in which feedback is always appreciated. I've found that I can learn some amazing things from other diarists that I've met along the way.
Keeping a diary has been tremendously therapeutic. Not only have I had many fun and adventurous moments to document, but I've also had some very sad and scary times as well. I found it very helpful to be able to document the ear surgery I had, how I was discriminated against in a way that is often swept under the carpet and under-addressed in my country, the loss of beloved pets, and the terrifying reaction I had to a certain medication.
It's also fun to look back at all the different people I've met, some good and some not, and happy/positive milestones like getting married and quitting smoking. I can look back on all the languages I've studied, the sweepstakes and contests I've won, and the different countries and cities I've visited. Even my dreams, as in the kind we have when we're not awake.
Another fascinating thing is to read back on old entries to find things I'd totally forgotten about. I read back on my younger days with a mix of giggles and embarrassment. Like most people in their youth, I was a bit immature and had a lot of growing up to do. But I also look back in amazement at all the things I survived. It's interesting to see the ways I've changed over the years and the things I would still like to change.
In addition to writing about my day to day life, I've used my diary for story writing and other things as well.
Throughout my life, many of my dreams and goals have shifted and changed as they usually do with most people. But the one thing I never got sick of and can't imagine ever getting sick of is keeping a diary. I plan to leave the story of my life with all its ups, downs, surprises, laughs, scares and tears online after I'm gone as a contribution of sorts to society. You never know. Maybe hundreds of years from now or even thousands of years, someone will find it fascinating to read about someone's life way back when.