Why you should keep a diary

Nowadays, people tend to have blogs or record their lives on social media, but research has shown that keeping a written diary could actually be better for your state of mind, spark creativity, and leave you feeling happier.

The function of a diary can include anything from recording day-to-day happenings and preserving memories, to noting down feelings and life aspirations.

Here are our top reasons for keeping a diary:

Record special events

You are able to record important events, such as a birthday party or weekend away, in as little or as much detail as you wish. Add photos, receipts, tickets or sketches to make the pages personal and memorable.

Monitor your goals

It is important to measure your progress in order to determine the level of success you achieve. Keeping track of this is a powerful motivator – if you know you are making good progress, it will give you the drive to see the goal through to the end.

Appreciate and assess

We must appreciate what we accomplish – recording your achievements will help you to do this. On the other hand, you can understand where you might have gone wrong and make notes on how to improve.

Go at your own pace

If you do skip a day or even a week, don’t worry about it. Just start again from where you are now. The great thing about having a diary is that no one’s keeping tabs on you.

Plan ahead

Many diaries now have designated sections for work, personal life, meals and exercise, which make planning ahead so much easier – and even fun!

It’s therapeutic

Writing your thoughts down is much better than keeping them to yourself. Having a diary will help you gain clarity and make the right decisions.

Keepsake

In a year or two, you will be able to look back and see how you have changed and developed as a person. Perhaps you’ll even share your diary with future generations.

Convinced? Find our top diaries below:

1. Hardback Planner, £40, The Happiness Planner

This planner is packed with questions and guides to help you become a happier and more positive person.

2. Amalfi Refillable Leather Diary, £29.90, Pen Heaven

Handmade in Italy, this refillable leather diary will last for years. Alternatively, it can be used as a journal with Pen Heaven’s lined and plain paper inserts.

3. Colour-A-Month Planner, £31.99, Moleskin

This practical range of week-to-view diaries incorporates a different colour for each month.

 

4. One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book, £11.99, Waterstones

A beautiful memory book that lets the user track the most important moments of their life.

 

5. Croc Print Diary, £55, Aspinal of London

The gold gilt edged pages of this leather diary are filled with classic charm.

Rebekah Absalom