How to make a dairy

1. How to Write a Diary
1. Making Decisions about Your Diary
Consider your diary requirements. The type of diary you choose
depends on your writing style, personal preferences, and other
factors. Take some time to consider diary type before purchasing a
diary.
 Consider your handwriting. How big do you usually write? If you
have small, neat handwriting, a diary with smaller margins and line
spaces might be ideal. If your handwriting tends to be bigger and
messier, opt for a diary with larger margins. You could even choose
a diary with white pages and no lines--this is especially good if you
like to sketch alongside your writings.
 How durable do you want your diary to be? Something like a
moleskin notebook is somewhat expensive, around $15 to $20, but it's
very durable. You may be able to find cheaper diaries at
supermarkets, craft stores, and thrift/charity shops.
 Do you plan to carry your diary with you? Many people like to have
a diary or notebook on their person at all times to write down day-to-

2. day observations. If that's your plan, consider purchasing a pocket-
sized or small diary that can easily fit in a purse or tote bag.
 If you live with other people and want privacy, consider a diary with
a lock. However, keep in mind diary locks are sometimes flimsy and
easily broken.
 There are websites that allow you to keep a diary online. One benefit
to this is that it takes up less space and many people feel more
comfortable typing than writing by hand. However, privacy is an
issue. Even if your site is password protected, your privacy is never
100% secure online. Someone might stumble on your diary online and
gain access to your personal information.
Decide where to store your diary. If you want to keep your diary
private, find a discreet place to store it in your home. Consider hiding
it under your mattress, under your clothes in a dresser drawer, or any
other place where people are unlikely to poke around. If you are not

3. worried about privacy, keep your diary in an easy-to-reach place
close to your desk, bed, or wherever you plan on writing.
Consider how you'll mark entries. There are various manners you
can mark entries in a diary. Some people enjoy dating their entries so
they will remember the rough timeframe when rereading their works.
Other people prefer short titles to each entry. Be creative and have
fun. Use whatever method feels right for you.
 Some people use signatures to mark entries. If you enjoy leaving a
signature, feel free to do so. However, privacy may be an issue. If
your diary is accidentally lost, the words will be linked to you. If
you're recording particularly private thoughts, you may not want
this. Consider initials instead.

4. 2. Writing dairy entries
Be honest. Diaries can be cognitively beneficial. A study at University
of California showed that writing about feelings honestly helps the
brain regulate emotion.[2] As you write your diary, try to be as honest
as possible in your entries. This is good for your emotional well-
being.
 Many people find diary writing cathartic because they can let go of
inhibitions on the page and truly be themselves. Feel free to record
your emotions, both positive and negative, in their entirety in your
diary.
 Let go of worries about the quality of your writing. Your diary is a
safe space for you to vent and share without the pressures of external
judgment. Try to take a few minutes at the beginning of each entry to
simply free write. That is, write quickly and without inhibition. Jot
down the first things that come to mind when considering your day,
current mood, and any feelings you're struggling with.

5.  Many people have epiphanies about themselves and their
relationships through honest diary writing. Be open to learning about
yourself as you write.
Decide what to write about. There are many different types of
diaries. Some people use diaries to record daily events. Others use
them to chronicle dreams. If you are working towards a goal, like
losing weight or completing a creative project, a diary can be a great
means to discuss your feelings and progress. Some people record a
mix of different things in their diary. It's up to you what you feel is
important to record.

6. Use lots of details. Diaries are also important as they preserve
moments in their immediate aftermath. Memory is fickle and precise
details of an event tend to blur with time. Use details in your diary
entries to try to preserve the moment.[
 Think about your past before you begin writing in your diary. What
do you wish you remembered? Do you wish you had better memories
of your grandmother's laugh? Do you wish you took greater time to
commit to memory the smell of your childhood bedroom on
Thanksgiving morning as your mother fixed breakfast? Use these
longings as a guide in your diary. Record, in detail, those moments
that feel precious to you and that you'll long to recall later on.
 You should be as honest in your descriptions as you are in your
venting. You want your diary to preserve your memories and
perspective of an event. Do not talk about how your girlfriend's hair
"shone brighter than the Northern Lights" if you've never witnessed
the northern lights. Talk about things in terms that make sense to you.
For example, you could say your girlfriend's hair "glistened like sun
reflecting off the headlights of a car mid-afternoon." While perhaps a
less romantic comparison, it's authentically yours.

7. Maintain a schedule. Many people struggle to find the time to write
a diary entry each day. If you're interested in maintaining a diary, try
to stick to something of a schedule.
 Write in your diary around the same time each day. This way, writing
in your diary will become as much a part of your schedule as
brushing your teeth at night or showering in the morning.
 Do not set a schedule you do not think you can keep. If you don't
reasonably think you'll be able to write in your diary every night,
don't commit yourself to doing so. Instead, choose a more lax
schedule. Plan on writing an entry 3 times a week instead.
 Pick a time to write where you do not have other obligations or
external time constraints.

8. Write short entries when you're pressed for time. Everyone gets
busy from time-to-time. If you're in a rush, just write a shorter entry.
Jot down the bare minimum of your feelings and thoughts. Get out
whatever feels most pressing and immediate. You can always record
more about an event later in the week when you have time. Simply
try to get out the basic details before you forget.[10]

9. 3. Personalizing Your Diary
Add illustrations. If you want make your diary more personal,
consider adding illustrations. This can be a fun way to make your
diary more personal.
 Some people having a particular illustration or type of illustration on
each page. For example, if you have a cat you're attached to you could
draw a small sketch of your cat at the bottom of each page. If you
want to get more detailed, consider drawing the cat different based
on seasons. In the summer, he could be wearing sunglasses. He could
be sledding in the winter.
 You could also include illustrations of some the material you're
writing about. You could add a small sketch at the end of the entry or
sketch in the margins. Draw pictures of the people you saw that day,
the food you ate, the movies you watched, really anything
memorable.

10. Alter the cover. Some diaries come with decorative covers, but some
are plain. If your cover is simply dull, you might want to add
decoration. You can write your name in colorful, fun lettering. You
can add stickers or glue on cut outs from magazines or newspapers.
You can draw on the cover with colored pencils or markers. Have fun
and be creative.

11. Buy a personalized journal. You can purchase personalized journals
online if you don't feel comfortable crafting yourself. You can usually
choose from a handful of illustrations or templates and can add things
like your name and address to the inside cover. Some journals,
usually marketed towards a younger audience, may include writing
prompts and fill in the blank pages inside.
Do not go overboard. Remember, it's a diary and not a scrapbook. It
can be fun to add mementos like concert tickets, photographs, and
brochures from places you've visited. However, adding too much can
make your diary look like a scrapbook. A diary should be primarily
used for writing rather than collaging.
Tips
 Have fun. Writing a diary should be a cathartic experience and not
a chore. Allow yourself to enjoy your writing.
 Instead of putting "My Diary" or whatever, you can put "Algebra
Notes" or "School Notebook" just so no one knows it's your diary!
 Ensure a way of keeping your diary private such as using a lock,
code, or place to keep it hidden. You won't want your diary read!
Teacher: Esterlin Almonte Cid