Most of us women remember having a diary at some point during adolescence. Some girls kept up their diary writings for years, while for others it was just a brief fad. Girl's diaries were usually filled with girl stuff, writing about a trip, or a sleepover at your friends or that boy you liked. Keeping a diary was a way to keep your secret thoughts from prying eyes – like your brother! Remember the little key and latch? This was one thing that made the diary special and secret. You kept the key hidden away and when you wanted to make some entries, you'd use your key and off you went. Perhaps you still have your first diary. It might bring back some memories and give you a few laughs, too.Why is it that diary writing should be just a kid's activity? When you grow up, diary writing is suddenly transformed into what's called journal writing or journal keeping. A daily written record of one's experiences. So there's really no difference between the two, just nomenclature. Yet few of us keep such a record any more.
What made it attractive as an adolescent? Everyone knows how important an issue privacy is, during the teen years. Diary writing was a way to express your private thoughts, without fear of embarrassment. Some kids would mull over a situation that hadn't quite gelled, with future entries and episodes on the same topic. When we felt angry, the diary accepted our thoughts, without rebuke. We vented on the pages of the diary.
Don't you remember something you didn't want to talk to your parents about, yet still felt compelled to write it down? Some of us were aspiring poets or writers, but wanted to give it a shot to see if we were any good. Once sure we had some talent, we might copy that poem on a separate sheet of paper and shyly, approach our Mom or best friend, for feedback.
Don't you remember something you didn't want to talk to your parents about, yet still felt compelled to write it down? Some of us were aspiring poets or writers, but wanted to give it a shot to see if we were any good. Once sure we had some talent, we might copy that poem on a separate sheet of paper and shyly, approach our Mom or best friend, for feedback.
The point is, although our ideas may become more sophisticated and thoughtful, the need to express ourselves lives on, long after adolescence. Whether you call it diary writing or journal writing, this private book of thoughts is essentially, good therapy. As adults, we often bite our tongues in social situations, even with our own families, in order to exhibit mature behavior or just to keep the peace.
This doesn't negate the thoughts and emotions. They just get stuffed down inside. Every one of us could benefit from diary writing. Give it a try!
This doesn't negate the thoughts and emotions. They just get stuffed down inside. Every one of us could benefit from diary writing. Give it a try!
