How Keeping a Diary Can Save You

Diaries are a forum in which we can raise and then galvanise ourselves into answering the large questions which lie behind the stewardship of our lives: What do I really want? Should I leave? What do I feel for them?
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FURTHER READING
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“What should in an ideal world define someone as a writer isn’t that they publish books, or give talks at literary festivals or wear black; it’s that they belong to a distinct group of people who - whenever they are confused or in distress - gain the greatest possible relief from jotting things down. ‘Writers’ in the true sense are those who scribble - as opposed to drink, exercise or chat - their way out of pain…”
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CREDITS
Produced in collaboration with:
Elaine Song
Title animation produced in collaboration with
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[@asmrtiktokcompilations1129]

A diary can be your best friend . One that knows all your secrets and you don't have to cover your flaws but be your real self

[@jackdeniston59]

yup. N one else can ever read it.

[@kipropcollins4220]

well, can't you just do that in your head? you carry most of your secrets up there

[@roudridas5446]

So true... I feel so much related.. I Have a diary.. Whenever i feel sad or overwhelmed i write on it..

[@rutuuuraj]

i want to write a diary but there's always this fear that someone else will read it , which stops me from doing so

[@asmrtiktokcompilations1129]

@@rutuuuraj keep it where no one can see it , just you .

[@aryionpetrelle4448]

My favorite thing is flipping through pages of my diary and seeing each ending with 'I love you so much'

[@hajerahumar2750]

That is so beautiful!

[@sudharshanvijay2938]

I loved this

[@samuelstroud5059]

I do a similar thing. The last sentence is always something I appreciate, literally written like "I'm thankful for... X" Every now and then, it's nice to look through the pages to remind myself of what I hold dear and appreciate in life.

[@codenamejo]

I do this but with 'You did great today. I'm so proud of you.' Brings smile on my face everytime :')

[@av3ngers17]

can't relate

[@Jascupz]

Ive been working on my journal like a madman these past couple of years. It saved my life, given me advice I'd forgotten, and been an allied friend. Something I have been doing is looking back at long old text messages, homework assignments, and social media posts and putting them in it as well too. Having my past self from all the ages encourage me is by far the most liberating thing Ive ever done. I cannot stress this enough, it gives the best advice for myself. Cannot recommend more

[@allared9008]

I agree, I like journaling and mainly use it to ground myself while I calm down. But find it hard to read them over as they are just panicked ramblings.

[@ma-burke]

@@allared9008 I think that’s a good, core purpose for a diary. Approaching the diary with a need - to resolve an emotional state (i.e. ground yourself into calmness), to establish thought-based clarity - either through revisiting old entries, writing new ones or a combination of both, makes the diary a pragmatic instrument, a self-created, private and omnipresent therapist. When you say you find ramblings upon rediscover of your entries, what do you do? For me, the interaction with the diary begins to become interesting. What was, in specific words, the pieces of reality being referred to in this entry? In light of the time that has passed since, could I reword my experience of it to further bring out its authenticity? What general notions - universal themes, meaningful questions, anecdotes and quotations - relate to it? To encounter a ramble, that is, incoherence, is the beginning of a journey to wisdom, through reflection, grains of clarity, an edit all the ways up the stairs to some new belief, heuristic, insight, etc., i.e. wisdom. In approaching rambles, I have the practicalities to be important. Digital over paper allows for more space to add a log on the initial entry, or to edit it (while retaining the initial thoughts). I have similarly tried editing the original and keeping a log of the changes; both have their merits. Digital grants full-text search to scan for entries with the same terms, to compare positions of entries, their moods, their judgements, etc., during the retrospective searches for meaning. I would say, if the entries appear muddled without much value, recognise this as a new problem for the invaluable resource of life that a diary is. Personally, I am pretty new to keeping one, having only short-lived attempts across the span a dozen or so years. As I’ve been attending to the journalling process in more detail, however, I have found solace and satisfaction from writing (or “rewriting”) an entry, even when many of them are rambles for me too. The view of the diary changed: it has been accepted as an endeavour that will present many hardships (e.g. muddy posts) but ultimately will be one of the most valuable long-term relationships. I seem to want to give encouragement to you; do excuse me if it feels assuming.

[@Zenniel64]

same happened to me. it's so weird how we forget or lose our own essence

[@adamztmz]

@@pj1016 daily life and some other things in your head that youve been wanting to share but scared of getting judged i guess

[@mootjec14]

Legendary advice

[@glorianguyen1102]

Having suicide thoughts throughout my childhood while deciding to do so at 16. I found myself fighting for my will to live. Having my diary once read and punished for my thoughts once when I was 7, I was terrified of putting any thoughts out side of my own brain. Finally had the courage to brush aside the fear of being spy upon by my mother and I've been writing daily diary since then. It saved me from actually committing suicide

[@hakimdiwan5101]

This is the only reason what is preventing me from keeping dairy. Asians especially Indian family have no understanding of privacy, they would go through my stuffs without my permission knowing well how much I hate it.

[@HuyHoang-bw8lz]

Really keen to hear your story, to really see what is it like to be in your shoes. Don’t need to know who you are or who I am, just want to listen. Regards from Hanoi.

[@MsLacieable]

Same my mom reads my diaries so I can never put my trauma about her in it

[@cuubonglongnhong2309]

Gửi bạn 1 cái ôm I hope you are in a better place now

[@sammy7467]

@@MsLacieablesee In my opinion parents or friends,share such abond that our thoughts reach them ,before scribbled in our journal or diary......so I hope you shall share that bonding with someone ...

[@carlosr8359]

"Looking back at what we have written should be embarassing" Yes, it definitely is. And it's a process of accepting and forgiving our messiness too. It's impossible to look polite and beautiful in our crises.

[@savvivixen8490]

I wish the people I love understood that...

[@justaguy994]

And its at our crisis that we should write. When another times of our crisis come, It felt surreal reading it back. Its as if someones has understood us completely without us saying a word. The feeling of completeness. Secure. Tendecy to rummaging through our thoughts completely dissapeare. And now we can see where we stand. Its only direction that we should think about

[@sweetnsour80]

“It’s impossible to look polite and beautiful in our crises” Those are some profound and stunning words. I’m going to use that, thank you

[@Ggoldwyn]

Love the last sentence, beautifully put.

[@rrusty_spoon]

How do you keep overwhelming perfectionism from even letting you begin? Has always been my problem 😕 like it needs to be a certain level of understable in case it's ever found or subject to scrutiny. Crazy I know

[@bexdiller]

When I was a kid, I kept a journal. One day I brought it to school with me and one of the boys in my class got his hands on it. He broke the lock open and read my diary to the entire school. It didn't help that he was one of the boys on the "boys I like" list I had in there. I was devastated and once I finally got the diary back I ripped it into pieces. I've tried to keep a diary since then but have never been able to, even though roughly 30 years have passed. Today I have both physical and digital diaries with locks and passcodes, but to this day I haven't been able to write more than a few pages a year, and I can't sit down and write without getting very emotional and thinking about that evil little boy. I'm sure he didn't understand what he was doing, but I can't help but feel like he robbed me of myself.

[@kanupriyajain592]

I feel sorry to learn this, may you get the power to get over that memory

[@bexdiller]

@@kanupriyajain592 Thank you for the acknowledgment, dear internet stranger. I hope to move on from it however long it may take.

[@crocodosto9026]

Hey im sorry about that. If it was me i couldnt have handled it. Ur a strong person, and i hope u get over it.

[@GriffonksxEX]

I'm sorry to hear that. truly i am. Everyone has something from the past that haunts them. but as an onlooker onto your story, it looked to me that you have shackled the part of yourself that was in love with writing diaries, with the naive boy as the lock. If you want that part of yourself back, I believe you must learn to accept your child trauma and understand that you have grown up. Accept that trauma as a part if what made you today. You can be brave to become the key to unlock all that is to be yours.

[@lapeaches8006]

Only you can allow that to be true

[@ziksy6460]

I went through a breakup recently and this video is 100% correct. I wrote all my thoughts down whenever I got too emotional and not only was this an incredibly cathartic experience, but I also arrived at insights about my relationship that I never even considered before. You know how it's easy to give relationship advice to your friend as a third-party? We don't have emotional attachment to the relationship, so we can think clearly. To me, writing was like an exercise of looking at my own relationship as if I was a third-party.

[@DanHammonds]

It's always the first thing I do after a breakup now and have the same experience. It's like a personal counsellor and it really helps to offload all those erratic thoughts and emotions without laying them all on your ex and making a fool of yourself or stirring up arguments and ill feelings.

[@alisonmilla2972]

I'd like to highlight the part where you say "We don't have emotional attachment to the relationship, so we can think clearly", I often find myself giving really good advice to my friends and then when I have problems, I cannot think about a solution or some words that could improve my mood. So, I constantly ask myself: What would I say to someone that needed me?

[@astrid-w5z]

I went through something similar and the pain in my heart was too much. People call me an old soul and say I'm wise because I give great advice without judging them. But when I'm alone and having problems, I tell myself I've only got me and the best way I advice myself is when I write. I thought my heart break would last me months but with the therapy of my writing, it's been two months now and I feel better. I even laugh at some of the things I wrote down just over a week ago. Writing heals.

[@misssunflowerdo]

Yes, I relate! It’s interesting seeing your thought patterns during the heavy times.

[@LuisSierra42]

I cringe hard when i read the stuff i wrote in my diary after a breakup 3 years ago

[@mindfulnesswithmatt]

When you put your thoughts and emotions into the dairy/journal, you are no longer alone

[@milefiori7694]

True, it always fascinates me to see how my younger self views things. There's many things that I thought I'll never change my view on even when I grew up, just to learn a deeper meaning behind them years later and put a little note next to it to debunk my past self's belief ;)

[@LukeTEvans]

thats what they want you to think..!

[@danielgerber8452]

Writing diary was (next to therapy) the most helpful skill in overcoming my major depression!

[@nikitaw1982]

Do u think u have to keep it? Could u throw away every days pages and get same benefits?

[@Stracciulein]

same for me. writing my thoughts for years saved my life

[@Sinci1]

@@nikitaw1982 think of it this way: once you write down a diary page and process your emotions, you're finished with that diary page, and you won't be returning to it for further help [in all likelihood]. So while I think it's cool to have your diary pages over the years, mainly as a sort of trip down memory lane [+ maybe it can be helpful to reflect on the past sometimes], I do think you can still get the same benefit of being able to understand your thoughts better by writing it then throwing it away, because in my opinion, the main benefit of having a diary is not keeping it, it's writing in it.

[@frangipani.19]

❤

[@nikitaw1982]

I definitely have a daily word count i have to get out. I drive people crazy. wonder if a journal would tick that box.

[@elihan9]

I started a diary in college. It was after a series of setbacks, failures, and humiliations that I now call "the collapse". I just wanted to state my thoughts and views without a filter. 10 years and 10 volumes later, I'm still writing.

[@samuelstroud5059]

This might be an odd thing to think about, but do you buy the same notebook for each journal? I'm almost finished with my second notebook/journal for 2022, and was wondering if I should keep them all the same, so they look uniform, or switch them up.

[@elihan9]

@@samuelstroud5059 I've tried different journal styles. I try to hold myself some standards but I always remember that the standards are more or less guidelines. There is an agreement in myself that stability and uniformity needs to work in conjuction with experimentation. Both need each other to truly thrive.

[@clairebear2586]

Wow! Im in 9th grade and I love writing in my journal, and since lately times have been hard it really has helped. This is kinda off subject, but you said "volumes", and I do the same thing and consider each of my notebooks to be individual stories, and hopefully when I'm an adult and things are better I can sort of keep them as a "series" if you will- or a time capsule to the past Anyways, thats so awesome!!

[@elihan9]

@@clairebear2586 Thank you. Writing had been very therapeutic for me. I hope you will continue as well.

[@clairebear2586]

@@elihan9 thank you!

[@yohaizilber]

Journaling really is an excellent way to self-reflect and off-load all the jibber jabber in your head. This video is such a great demonstration of that. Keep up the great work.

[@sol.f]

The one tip that worked for me to make writing in a diary a habit is to not feel obliged to write every day or every week. I only write when I feel something very intense and I feel like letting go. Sometimes I won't write for months, but I have been doing so for a couple of years now. Whereas in the past when I forced myself to write it didn't last more than two weeks. Hope this advice is of use to someone. Journaling is therapeutic!

[@nala1007]

Yes, I think it is best not to stress about writing regularly. If I feel I should write about something I try to, but most of the time nothing interesting happens to really write it down every day.

[@dante_felix]

After watching this, I consedired to buy a diary book and now I've just bought it for 2023! Such a helpful video to someone who struggle for life

[@giantsquid2]

It's a great gift to yourself!

[@snsmystic]

I journaled since I was 12 and am now in my 30s. And in looking back I can say journaling helped me reflect and gain insight, and it was the friend I never had and my secret keeper who never judged. And I also noticed since I became physically sick and gotten out of the habit of journaling more regularly since I was 18, I've noticed that I'm not doing as well mentally. Rather than process my emotions as a write, I find I ruminate on negative emotions and dwell on them and end up lashing out on others but negative emotions will still remain. I need to get back to writing.

[@nikitaw1982]

Do u think u need to keep it? If threw out each days page would that change the affect?

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

Thank you for sharing that. You have inspired me to get back to journaling too!

[@farhaansajeeth7583]

Hope you get back to it soon :)

[@jscs9960]

I find I ruminate on negative emotions and dwell on them and end up lashing out on others but negative emotions will still remain.

[@ritikarana4256]

I am 20 rn, started maintaining diary after reading Anne Frank's 'Diary of Young Girl' at the age of 10. And boy! what a pleasure it is to leaf through pages of my life. Makes me realize how beautifully I have evolved, been stuck at some areas and degraded at few. It helps me get aware of my toxic patterns, my triggers and helps me understand myself better. Reading past entries is literally my favorite thing to do, they prove to be source of strength on dark days knowing I have overcome far worse in past, and at times amaze me by making me aware of wisdom of my past self. Diary cultivated gratefulness in me by showing how divinely things can turn out through manifestation. Unfailingly, it has been my greatest ally in my euphoric honeymoon phase to dismal break up days, it was there when I was fighting suicidal thoughts and also there when I was celebrating my victories. I feel gratified for 'writing my way through life' and will continue doing so! Thank you for this video.

[@oliviasommerville4733]

I absolutely love reading my past diaries. I’ve kept a journal since I was about 8, but only in the past 3 years did I start to truly maintain a diary. I like to look at what happened on the exact day exactly 1 year and 2 years ago

[@ritikarana4256]

@@oliviasommerville4733 I do the same thing, and makes me realize- my current problems will soon become trivial like my past ones.

[@j.a4196]

If you have read Anna Frank's Diary you may also like Nina Lugovskaya's Diary, she's known as the "Anne Frank of Russia", if anything Nina's diary is more depressive than Anne's sometimes.

[@MidnightKiara]

Omg same!! Thats literally how I started and what it has done for mee!! Started around the same age too! Jinx stranger. I'm still maintaining it.

[@ritikarana4256]

@@MidnightKiara That's strange and exciting!

[@ThisIsMyFullName]

If you feel worried about writing a diary again, try using code names for people and also when referring to events. It can even be various signs instead of words that only you know the meaning of. For instance, an 'O' can be code for mOm, an 'A' can be code for dAd, and 3 can be code for a wife/husband, girl/boyfriend or crush

[@cerisecerezacherry]

So real I do that and if anyone would be to read my diary it would sound weird af lol good for privacy

[@nikitaw1982]

buy a lock box.

[@jkanclark]

In 2014, I began to audio journalize on my phone, using the voice memo app. It was a distressing time in my life, and I would simply talk to myself most days on the drive to and from work. It definitely helped to crystallize my thoughts and feelings, which to that point were little more than nonsensical ruminations in my head. Idk if it saved me, but it certainly helped me.

[@jscs9960]

for people with a mind faster than a hand

[@Itisheylel]

My only problem with a physical diary/journal was that people would read it without asking for permission. I’ve always been that quiet person and it’s hard for me to communicate what’s in my head without people misinterpreting most of it in a negative way. If people were to read my diary (mostly my family), it’s like letting them in on the real me and I absolutely hate it. I want to let in who I wanna let in. I don’t want them to know my personality or how I interpret the world if I’m not close to them? What gives them the right to know me on that deep level if they don’t work their way to even befriend me? I hate it ;( my thoughts and genuine feelings are in there and ppl will just read it like it’s nothing and would even use it to embarrass me at times.

[@mesunekonyan]

Same dilemma

[@janalu4067]

That in itself is quite revealing, isn't it? I mean, if the ones closest to you cannot be trusted to respect your privacy. It says a lot more about them than it does about you.

[@Scarshadow666]

How about writing in your journal in code or a language you made up? That way the people not meant to read your diary/journal would not understand it if they read it. Also recommend keeping a lock on your diary/journal and/or hiding it somewhere private, whether somewhere in your room or somewhere else that is private - there's people that even bury their diary/journal and/or hide it in a locked car if needed.

[@janalu4067]

@@Scarshadow666 personally, I'd write in a standard looking book, so that if anyone were to accidentally see it lying on a table, they would mistake it for a notebook like they use at school. No frills, no spirals (so nobody takes it because they need a piece of paper). And a secure place/petty cash box or the like to keep it. But, realistically, every lock can be picked, and you do need to sleep. It's tough.

[@montyandrews6213]

Have you considered a password protected journal on your computer? I write on password protected word documents and like the sense of security, I still avoid using names though for a degree of plausible deniability in case I leave it open or something.

[@trinaq]

I kept a diary when I was younger, and it really helped me to vocalise and assess my feelings. I must start it back up again. 📝

[@acelynn]

When I graduated from my high school, I will read all of my high school diary and I will be super proud of myself because I’ve been through all of the hard situations that I thought I couldn’t make it - public speaking, judgements, presentations etc. The only thing that made me survived school is journaling. When I’m nervous, mad, sad, happy or even can’t express my emotion, I journal. And I’ve never felt much more better than it. Ever since then, I’ve never felt school is boring.

[@emilybalderrama2665]

Been writing for about 6 years. Honestly my older self keeps me going. I still get very emotional whenever I read old entries.

[@Leo-mr1qz]

In the mist of having my 3 daughters in a 4 years span, I turned to writing in a journal to relieve a lot of stress that was occurring. My husband worked rotating shifts, my narristic mother wasn't ever around to lend a helping hand, and the experience was lonely. Journal writing helped my good and not so good thoughts to escape my ruminating mind and create stability in my day to day life. ❣️

[@nias3202]

Thank you ❤ I combine my diary with a To-Do List for the next day. It has helped me a lot and it has often saved my sleep. To keep a routine I set the bar low: One sentence a day at least. If nothing comes to mind I start by writing about the objects around me or my bodily sensations which normally triggers reflections about the day. I think, one danger is getting stuck with a certain mindset about oneself while writing. I am so lonely, I am always... For me it therefore helps to write down some things I am grateful for and mixing it up with philosophical meditations on other days. All the best to you!

[@stephaniedhaussy8081]

Thank you for your helpful comment

[@Cl4rendon]

Thank you - Your words are very inspirational.

[@nias3202]

@@stephaniedhaussy8081 Thank you, Stephanie!

[@nias3202]

@@Cl4rendon That's very kind. Thank you:)

[@nias3202]

@@JoseRRodriguez 😊

[@luisv526]

From this video it seems like I understood that a journal helps you think in an organized manner. When you think in your mind your thoughts are very disorganized and pass but when you write on paper the thoughts are save and you could possibly rethink those thoughts, modify them and process them some more. Ultimately coming to a consensus and understanding yourself or a matter more.

[@iwastubed96]

I’ve been keeping a diary/journal since I was a little kid and I believe that was how I developed my intrapersonal intelligence. Despite growing up in an emotionally abusive household with a narcissistic family member who controlled us, I was able to keep myself sane by “talking” to myself through writing my thoughts and feeling. (No friends, wasn’t allowed to hang out.) And the way I connect the dots in my head from writing for so long helped with my therapy process. Plus, I developed my English writing skills and expressing myself in English since it’s my second language.

[@cosmozX7]

I started writing my diary regularly for the past year and it's the best thing ever. It's so therapeutic to vent everything out through writing. Plus, it's really good for looking back on past achievements, difficult times and fun memories. Highly recommend it.

[@Maartenkiko]

I want to show my gratitude to the work you all do to help others live life

[@ROME.777]

Beautiful. This has been exactly my experience. Journaling every day has saved me, and is still saving me.

[@93parasol]

I started like two weeks ago to write down all the anxious thoughts I have in my phone the moment I get them. Or not all of them, the ones I write down are the ones that makes me change my mood - like go from happy to sad or any good feeling to a bad feeling. The thoughts, or feelings, that disrupts me so much that they change my mood. Then every day or every other day, I write them down again in a notebook. I don't write excatly the same, sometimes if the thought is not bothering me anymore I skip it and sometimes if it's still bothers me alot I write longer or add things. Then I delete the notes from my phone. Then I write down any other thing that bothers me at the moment, hurts me etc . Then I usually also add some comforting thoughts if I have any - maybe related to the anxoius ones. Then I read again what I wrote in the notebook, and then sometimes "meditate" over it for a while. And it helps - ALOT. But, and I find this very important for me to remember, it DOES NOT MAKE ME HAPPY. It does not make me feel good. It almost always makes me feel relieved and at ease and sometimes happy for a little while. But not always. It makes me calm sometimes but not always. But what it ALWAYS makes me feel - is more regulated. And that's my goal. If I think it's going to make me feel better I will probably stop beacuse I get dissapointed, so I always try to only have that goal in mind, to feel more regulated. To have more emotional resistance. To not lash out beacuse of different things, not get really that upset, better handling when I feel anxious or upset, at least for that evening. I'm very happy I started doing this haha. It was my own idea, I don't know if I took it from anywhere, if so I forgot.

[@macktheripper7454]

I have kept a journal since my dad died in 2017. It saved my life.

[@jas22543]

Writing the thoughts down whenever I feel emotional really helps in decluttering my mind. It's like I'm transferring the distress and pain from my brain to the diary. It's just so amazing how journaling helps in decreasing the large amount of agony a person is feeling.

[@siskfjkfkk]

Started writing journals in the Google Keep Notes app and it has helped in understanding how my childhood trauma has shaped my beliefs, behaviors, and convictions. It's like lending an ear to the voice in my head. It gives me peace when I jot down all the stuff that happened during the day and my sentiments about it. Through writing, I have been retracing my steps back to the original event which made me suffer and healing by letting all the repressed emotions out. Due to this, I sleep peacefully and years of sadness and suffering are lessening day by day.

[@Meriya9749]

Without my diary, I don't know in what situation I would have been now. My diary listens to me, so I don't search for people to share my feelings... ❤

[@atlasatlas1416]

i’ve kept a journal since early 2019 and it’s truly one of the best things i’ve ever decided to do, i love reading about what my past self had to say, it’s very comforting. i also love to put tags and stickers and text messages and photos in it, or song lyrics and shitty midnight teenage poetry. it truly is so comforting to have, i would be lost without my journals

[@nil.3743]

I've started journaling my experiences this november because of my anxiety relapse 😰. It helps me manage my emotions and see them in a clearer picture. It makes me feel happier and I felt that my stress and anxiety is slowly fading away because I can express myself however I want🙂. I keep messages for my future self to answer in it too 😁. I highly encourage it for all people. Even if you don't have anxiety and depression. It will make you aware of how you feel much clearer and will get you closer to your real self. I've just started journaling but I felt the benefit it gives. I hope I can come back here in the future if ever someone read this and liked it. Good luck to whoever read this and I hope you live a great life! 😙

[@harrietyes]

I have been keeping a journal for almost 10 months, and yesterday I hit 100 pages. there were months where I didn't write, and instead made a mega entry where I summarized it. there were times where I wrote every day, times when I came to great conclusions and relived moments in the best, and worst ways possible. these are my teen years, and I don't want to forget them.

[@berteloth6512]

That's amazing !! Keep it up !

[@jenhasken]

Since I was 2 14 and I'm now 56. It is indeed soothing and therapeutic. 💕

[@mrflinstone57]

For years now, I've been writing as a way to process my experience of the world, something that's become increasingly dense with memories. Language is a portal for us to speak about life, and the beauty of words is that they can exist in silence. There is also depth to be found in the vulnerability of allowing yourself to ramble, ending up in a place where you never would have thought, feeling as though you can say and conquer anything and everything. That is the power of language.

[@wheatley1866]

I've been meaning to start a diary for years, now im finally giving it a serious go. After all, YOU are the world's greatest therapist.

[@kou_isthatyou]

I have been writing about my life in a diary/journal ever since i could form tangible sentences. And today when I look back upon the middle school me, so hurt, so confused, so troubled over things that seem trifles by now, I understand that it was very much real for her, very much raw. And I cannot help but congratulate myself on improving so much, that it really gives me hope for the future, that even better things are about to come, and I should stick around. I can see how much I've changed over the years, or even over the months, and just be in awe. When I read a traumatic experience from my past with a person, and relate the same turn of events with the same person but at a more mature age, and more positive, I feel happy that old me was strong enough to hold through and reach this stage. Truly something nobody can make me feel. I thank myself for taking the time to write about my day.

[@seddensky]

I've looked back in astonishment, I've gone to apologize after seeing I was wrong in an argument years ago, I've seen myself as a resilient person for the first time. My diary has given me so much. I've been writing a diary since I was a child, stopped for a few years, and then returned fully to it 8 years ago. My goal was to write a sentence a day, answering a very simple question: How are you?. The entries grew and became longer. It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. If I can add to the wonderful advice in the video - include practical things, because these will make everything much more interesting to reread. The name of your colleagues you like, what you talked about with your friend, what happened during that trip. Only the person having a diary can be humbled by how much of these things we forget, but only they can be delighted when revisiting all of it in their own memories.

[@thecreativecactus2704]

I struggled with depression and just overall bad mental health for many months before I started journaling. Although part of my recovery was because of other things, journaling, to this day, is my biggest coping mechanism. I'm very lucky to not have experienced severe depression, but I certainly know what it feels like to want to give up for weeks on end. Sometimes it can be hard to talk to even your closest friends and relationships, so journaling is an excellent way to just get your thoughts out.

[@julia-6gg4vi7l]

I started writing diary one year ago and it helps me to know myself and embrace myself more

[@ishitasingh5162]

This is the moment for introverts to shine. INTROVERTS UNITE.

[@FrilledMayfly_AmberlyFerrule]

I have 10 sketchbooks, 9 of which are fully finished and only as of Sketchbook 9 did I finally realize I wanted to live. These sketchbooks are sketchbooks, but also journals. Filled with mad ramblings and hopes. Many many times these sketchbooks were supposed to be that sort of "letter" a family member reads when their kid has ended it all. They in many ways were me trying to explain "why I did it". They were also meant to be, like any sketchbook, a place to scribble, do life studies, or anything else. I realized something at one point, putting something down on paper is it's first steps into becoming real. It's no longer just in your head but physically represented in the real world as words or a drawing. A sort of sketchbook journal (or even a normal journal) Is really something special. I never thought that I'd want to live, that this pain would go away, but each new page added a physical piece of time. Each new sketchbook was a sort of "wow, somehow I lived to finish it" thing. My sketchbooks are my best friend, something that always helped even a little to ease the pain while every day not knowing when I'd be gone. It's wild entering a new sketchbook without that thought of "maybe this one will be the unfinished one", but now it's happening and those sketchbook journal things weren't just a friend, but a home to escape to when where I was living was hell. So... uh, keep a journal, or a sketchbook that also has incessant screaming and quiet prayers. Cannot recommend it enough. To keep a sketchbook you really don't have to be "good at art", just scribble, record the world in pictures and even the worst little scribble can transport you to a better place

[@talita8882]

Thank you very much for sharing this. It is heartwarming and makes me realize I also have been putting on paper my message for myself that I want to live. Fully. I am sending you the biggest hug.

[@skypilgrim]

I tried to write in a diary when I was younger but my family would often snoop around. Privacy had little presence in my life. I did one entry and then was promptly ruined by my mom adding a well intentioned playful message on the next page. Though it led me to know I wasn't able to really keep my feelings on anything physical.

[@julieb8445]

I lost my son and I used a diary to not only put my thoughts there but to rank myself on a scale 1-10.I saw that I was making progress as I looked back going slowly albeit from 1 to 5 on some days and then higher. Mentally it helped me on those bad days and I looked back showing myself I could heal and make progress through this journey. Some days I’m back to a 1 or 2, but I knew It would get better.

[@AvecPoesie]

I am so sorry you lost your Son, Julie. That is the most anguish a human being can possibly endure...losing a child. I am quite certain of it. I do not have children myself, but two of my siblings have perished and I witnessed the barely surmountable sorrows carried my our Mother and Father. You are doing incredibly well at documenting your Journey of carrying onward. Wishing you continued strength. 💐

[@sonny1524]

My sister writes to God so I started writing and in my notes app. And it’s comforting to see, through middle school and high school and college now, he has always taken care of me. The Best Bro.

[@trifu5802]

What a journey

[@blueferocity2008]

I have kept a diary as long as I can remember. I experienced childhood trauma and was never able to seek therapy, but somehow through writing, I know I am healed.

[@isolanni]

Reading old diary entries has always been embarrassing. Thanks for normalizing that aspect.

[@DanHammonds]

As well as keeping a diary, I regularly write short autobiographical accounts of past events in my life, particularly those that were happy or significant. It's the most effective way to re-live memories and keep them alive in vivid detail, capturing the sights, sounds, smells and states of mind. It's also a powerful tool for helping us to recognise past failures, mistakes and triumphs and highlight our personal growth. What's more it's great for improving your language and communication skills.

[@tatianafrantseva876]

That "Leave the job. Say them its over" at 2:54 just got me! Thanks for the video and thanks to the person who added that! 💛

[@pauldoddy9714]

I agree! I have been journalling for the past 15 years or so. It has been a tremendous aid in my healing journey!

[@boyunderbridge]

Same 12 here

[@musselchee9560]

Yep. Better out than in. I've kept a diary since I was recommended to do so by my therapist back in 1995. I've virtually been writing non stop since then; I'm on to my 24th diary now. Writing has helped to clear space in my mind in order to help me live, see and experience the now. It has helped me to get over there and then, move to here and now and to finally settle on and know the difference between then and now. At the same time legibility, spelling, grammar and all other aspects of literacy has improved dramatically, exponentially and is a saving grace. I recommend it to all.

[@musselchee9560]

@@MsRocksa I write every day, I read every day, mainly non-fiction - memoirs, science, dictionary. Due to self induced but soothing isolation, new ideas literally explode on me at almost every moment. I like problem solving. I guess you can say I am finding myself. I am, in a half committed way collating ideas to put my life experiences into a book which I think could be of benefit to alot of people but having started with poor literacy skills, along with the rigours of daily demands means my time is stretched thin. It has been a revelation and a relief to conquer spelling and grammar which allowed me to move onto the next level. However, being self taught my progress is similar to working in the dark; I do like the slow pace. I keep three diaries: one for self knowledge, actualisation, daily life and learning; 2nd for book ideas; a small third diary in which I've filled over years with pithy maxims which Ipick up from all forms of media; my latest picked up yesterday from a TV doco is "Good is the enermy of Great" ie. you can be better than good, from Kimberley Ramsay, CEO and founder of Allstars Cheerleading. What currently and unfortunately continues to hold me back is my short term or implicit memory. Here is where I spend alot of my time and effort on. But it's still two steps forward, one step back.

[@musselchee9560]

@@MsRocksa Very hard. My spelling, along with many other parts of literacy was atrocious, hard to ignore. My first therapist recommended I project myself back to when and where the violence I endured took place and write what was happening to "that" little boy. It was hard/painful to face at first. I would immediately break down and couldn't get much further than a few seconds of painful/terrifying memories that would sent my body into convulsions and tears. However, after six months of trying to face my demons I finally broke completely. I faced the fear I'd been avoiding for over 20 years. At last, ignoring my poor literacy skills, for the very first time I wrote what I'd seen, experienced and felt as a beaten child and how I was feeling at the time of reminiscing. I saw the rage on the coward's face; flared nostrils, bloodshot eyes, incomprehensible yelling and me screaming and squirming doing what I could to protect myself from repeated blows. I'm over the worst of it now. I'm just happy knowing I won't go to my grave never having found answers. The movie Labyrith featuring David Bowie is a big help. The character Sarah meets a sage who tells her, 'the way forward is the way back, and the way back is the way forward'. She breaks the spell of the labyrith when she confronts the Goblin King and says, 'Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me".

[@musselchee9560]

@@MsRocksa Hello again. The coward passed away 32 years ago; but it lived on relentlessly and unavoidably in all my thoughts and actions, choices.

[@myriadmediamusings]

I always saw myself as a writer, but mostly when it came to writing for opinions, critiques or reviews on a keyboard. I recently bought myself a journal due to recent changes in my life that needing coping, and I gotta admit it felt good to write with a pen and paper and writing from the heart than just the brain.

[@Mustafa_Naqvi5]

Its true. Agreed. I'm writing diary since 2018. And up till now i have almost completed 8 diary books 😁 Its so good.

[@thrilxinz3570]

I'm 20 and I just bought a journal for this year. Ive never kept a journal before never even consider it. I have wrote down some stuff off my mind when my best friend wasn't available. Now I completely stopped venting to my best friend, but I still love her it's not that I don't trust her. I don't want to bargain anyone for my thoughts anymore and be respectful of others mental health. So I got myself a journal and it's the best present I've gotten myself for Christmas. My journal quickly became my a friend only listen. I go back after a week to self reflection and I see I've improved my thought process, my view on things, and my mom has gotten better after I write it in. I should've done this years ago and it could've saved some parts of me. But it's never too late to start and I'm glad I did for going through this thing called adult life.

[@meganm4877]

Shoutout to the fantastic job the animator(s) did on this video

[@808bboarder]

I’ve fought with myself about keeping a journal for 30yrs. I really should do it now

[@zardiac521]

Writing literally transformed my life. It is very scary and unsettling though as i normally write about the darkest aspects of myself and my past.

[@DC-jz7io]

You can trust yourself to know if and when your journal practice becomes too dark.

[@jpguitaristcomposer]

Never has a video touched me and applied to my life on so many levels. Thank you so much for making this, for all of us! Sending good vibes and love to all my fellow humans and writers.❤

[@pelu-mee]

"'Writers' in the true sense are those who scribble - as opposed to drink, exercise or chat - their way out of pain." "We may not quite know what we want to say until we've started to write; writing begets more writing." "Looking back at what we've written should be embarrassing" I love this ❤️

[@jollipop09]

:)

[@kushagragupta8068]

Yes. I do find it embarrassing when I read what I've written. 😆🙂

[@mihapetek3418]

When I look at my old diary entries from 2 years ago, I actually don't feel embarrassed. I relate to myself in the past so much. And I think this is bad, because it means, that no progress has been made since then and I still have the same kinds of problems today...

[@ThisIsMyFullName]

@@mihapetek3418 But that's the kind of insightful thought that could only come from reading your old diary entries. Maybe it is true, or maybe you're just overthinking. Trying to figure that out is progress.

[@rainbow12384]

I have been writing a diary for a few years and when I look back in it reminds me of all the things I am grateful for, im sure it will keep helping me in the future. I personally only write things that I wouldn't mind sharing and sometimes I think I might turn it into a book someday.

[@slice.of.life93]

i'm glad i found this channel! as an introvert and living with a constant anxiety, its really difficult for me to share my personal problems to anyone even to my closest friend and family members.. i just dont feel being heard and understood. So this new year i turned 30, and i decided to have a daily dairy to share my problems with.. and i'm glad i started it! feels so good to write my every day feelings without being judged.. so therapeutic!

[@Chetna444]

I have been so grateful to found this channel 2 years back my life has drastically changed but whenever I need a guidance or want to listen a calm voice helping me to understand life i visit this channel!! I am thankful ❤

[@evamkaushik5392]

This excerpt speaks to the writers, giving inquisitive milestones. Everyone else thinks they are above words.

[@naheenisapoet69]

Whenever I write a journal, by the end of the journal I solve all my problems and motivate myself... I have been saying all this to people all my life. U have problems? WRITE it dowN!

[@alfkristianrh]

Wonderful video! As someone who mainly gets relief from either longwinded conversations with friends or exercise, I feel it's important to point out that everyone can get relief from writing. For me, it's a nice balance that takes me away from the outer world and into the inner. I am sure most people whom get relief from writing, also would experience another form of relief if they tried to have a good conversation with someone whom they trust. In conclusion: Both, both is good!

[@samanthalourdesbillones1152]

This is really nice. I started writing my thoughts when I was in college during stressful days. Writing helped me get through my hard days. Now I also write whenever I think of anything brilliant - not just during bad days.

[@marianap.9521]

journaling has been such a great tool in my life since july 2020, i would recommend it to anyone.

[@nomaticors]

I have done this for years. And I can't read it. I just cry. Every day is filled with misery and madness and fears that have persisted since my journal's birth in 2016.

[@SeaweedKisses]

Journaling is definitely LIFE!

[@viktorsemenov7208]

After each new video I am struggling to pick words to describe how good these videos are. You make the world a better place to live.

[@writerb.5059]

❤️

[@CRAgamer]

I was given a journal by a therapist and I just write in it when I'm feeling vile about life. I write the most horrible things, the most painful thoughts things you can't share with someone and you know. I've felt better than I have in a long time.

[@mtnblubird4304]

Oh gosh this was so timely for me. I journaled my way thru some very difficult times and it really kept me going and growing. After a major setback i totally lost myself and stopped writing. I know i need to and want to start again. I just - uggh. Pray for me, if you dont mind….

[@havingagoodtime2859]

I have never been able to properly upkeep and maintain a diary, mostly bc I took it way to literal with having to write "every single day" As someone with Autism and who is highly sensitive emotionally, and physically, everyday genuinely feels like a battle. And being surrounded with people who don't share the same weight or needs as I can feel really frustrating and in the end downright embarrassing that I need certain things that others don't. But this video genuinely inspired me to maybe start my own little thing. Make my own little booklet that I can let myself out in. I really loved the artstyle in this one! keep it up!

[@pawanj1019]

Same here! You're not alone and I so appreciate your message and that you're spreading awareness in a way😊

[@Moonzie]

I write in my diary when I feel like it. If every day is to hard to do try once a week.

[@jscs9960]

why everyday ?

[@Gingerharry2011]

just over a month into twice daily journalling, definitely seeing the benefits. something about making something out of those random thoughts seems to help my mind work things out

[@sudarshanbadoni6643]

Thanks. The ability to write something is no small thing by the way for anyone because it opens a window to VENTING without lamenting. It's precise earthing of un wanted wandering claustrophobic thoughts troubling the mind. Thanks again.

[@teddi5039]

Things I've learned whilst keeping a diary. 1. Take the pressure off yourself: You don't have to write in your diary everyday. You can process your thoughts and feelings when you feel the need or desire to. 2. It doesn't have to be Shakespere. It's okay if it's crap! 3. Feel free to name drop. Get messy. 4. It doesn't HAVE to be aesthetically pleasing to look at. 5. Add dates, you'll want to know what you felt a certain day if you choose to look back on older entries. 6. Some days you'll feel great, and the next you can feel right where you started. Healing is a turbulant journey & takes time. 7. Be kind with yourself. Ultimately, keeping a diary has helped me understand myself in a way no other method of self-help could. There are things I just can't talk about with others, but I have a sense of "permission" to oust myself in the written word. It's great, try it!

[@Riverbed_Dreaming]

Yesss this works so well. Just putting thoughts on paper, allowing you to get perspective on whatever thoughts you have big or small, it’s nice.

[@kfr6037]

❤️I love love this story and thanks The pen is my friend At times I write until the pen runs out ...

[@405OKCShiningOn]

yes, flipping past that I was going thru, SOL thank you for bringingme forward in this. I was so stuck. things are clearer now, everyday has meaning.

[@dysfunctional_being]

It takes time to get use to it but at the end it is worth it

[@alien8180]

My diary saved my life and it is the only friend who knows too much about me yet never abandons me or judges me. It made me realize greatest wisdom lies at the darkest corner and awaits for the light to discover it.

[@trifu5802]

I've always been writing (about my life or anything) since I was young. But in late 2020, I started taking it more seriously and wrote in alot more detail. Till this day, I still journal, even if my days aren't as interesting as I think I still end up having ideas on what to write :) when I'm older, I'm definitely going to read through my old journals.

[@danyahassan4561]

"We won't need to be so jittery in the world outside after we have told the notebook all this" "Looking back at what we have written should be embarrassing. If we aren't appalled by what we have said to ourselves, we aren't beginning to be truthful- and therefore won't learn" "If we were a bit calmer than we were, it's perhaps because- somewhere in a drawer- there are pages of tightly compressed handwriting that have helped us to understand our pain." The pen is a remarkable gift to mankind. We usually find ourselves searching for paper when we're hit with overwhelming feelings or we're either expressing other kinds of communication. bad behaviour and explosive emotions. We mustn't bottle ourselves of worldly worries but must spill them on pages back to the earth. Thanks, school of Life, great video!

[@sunnysideuptoast]

I start diary writing again since last year only want to clear some space for my mind because of some loss in my life. Writing to me helps me to think and organize my chaotic thoughts and gets in touch with my emotions again when all thoughts and feelings are too difficult to open up to friends. This habit has helped me a lot in the process of grief.

[@RedwoodTony]

omg before i hated writing and I never knew what to start off with, but recently when i started writing in my diary a few days ago, it helped me A LOT! its so therapeutic!!! I LOVE writing in my diary, u guys should try it, it relieves stress, it helps u think more about things, it just helps u so much

[@Just_Tired]

I think I'll start my journal after this, and I'll end each entry with, "You've made it this far, and this sure as hell isn't the end. Keep moving forward."

[@peterruhara4366]

One of my best purchases is a tablet with stylus. It enabled me to to create a handwritten journal that was private and that I didn't have to worry about where to keep it.

[@ABB56.]

I keep things in a sort of calendar diary daily for years to be able to go back on it or I forget. I put how I felt etc and look back. I do this in the calendar of iPhone it’s been one of the most helpful things for my mental health

[@Snivy64_]

Today it’s been 5 years since I’ve written my diary for the first time. I’ve been doing it every day. Also, since I’m not a very verbal person, I like drawing instead of writing my thoughts, and it helps me more than writing full sentences. Idk, it just gives me more freedom to express what I’m really feeling. Also happens with songwriting

[@obnoxint]

Thanks for reminding me. It's been 14 months since the last time I opened it. Quite embarrassing what I found and quite empowering what I added today.

[@jollipop09]

This video makes me more confident to write in my diary! Thank you for the moving advice!

[@nala1007]

I started writing 4 or 5 years ago and I noticed that with time my writing became much more organized and cleaner to read. Like in the first few pages I just scribbled down a view sentences and now I write pages full of stories that happend. If you are thinking of starting a journal : Don’t stress yourself, write whatever you want/think/feel/ maybe something interesting happened, but it’s nothing you would tell someone or you just want to be able to remember it later on in life. If you have problems with grammar or spelling (like me), then try in the beginning to not think about it too much, you can get better with time. Also you don’t have to write regularly, try to write when you feel the need to. That is just what helped me in the beginning I wish you the best ❤

[@pancholopezpaz]

I often write, and it helps me to make sense of my ideas and also to remind me of what I want from this life. I often forget to read again what I wrote but I do my best

[@minji202]

i started writing a diary when i was going through a very hard time. since i can’t and also don’t like to talk about these things with anyone, it was a great way to feel like someone is listening and understanding the way i feel. i still sometimes write down things when i feel like i need to dump my thoughts. it helps. my only concern is if someone opens and reads it. it’s important to value others’ privacy, but many people don’t, sadly.

[@kidryanmusic]

friendly reminder that you can add passwords to notes in the notes app for a nice safe place to write :)

[@bahara2]

Just yesterday I was discussing keeping a journal with my boyfriend and how it feels to have one. This video was the best one I’ve ever seen about journaling and I related a lot.

[@boyunderbridge]

I have 10 years of journals and have been writing them online too on my blog. It's transformative