Diary vs Journal

Diary vs Journal

30 Jan 2023

In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to let moments slip away, and our thoughts and emotions fade into the noise of daily life. Yet, there’s great value in capturing our experiences, reflections, and aspirations. This is where the timeless practice of keeping a diary or journal comes into play. They can help us preserve our thoughts, memories, and stories and take us on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Writing Down Your Thoughts in a Diary in Nature

What’s the difference between a diary vs. a journal?

A journal and a diary are similar in kind but differ in degree and they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. While both are used to keep personal records, diaries tend to deal with day-to-day activities, more data collection really, and journals with bigger picture reflection/aspiration and can be used to explore broader themes. Let's delve into the specific uses of each and how they can enhance different aspects of your life.

What you would normally use a diary for

Diaries are normally used to track specific metrics or events and can help us monitor our progress or gather some data. They capture our experiences, thoughts and emotions in a structured way and give us a detailed account of our daily activities and reflections, so we can preserve our memories and gain insights into our lives.

Diaries can be used for various purposes. For example:

A child development diary

A child development diary can help parents document their child’s growth milestones and become a precious record of memorable moments, from their first adorable smile to their wobbly first steps and beyond. But this diary is more than just a sentimental item. This diary holds immense value as a resource for parents, offering insights into their kid's development and helping them identify areas of strength and areas that may require attention.

A gratitude diary

A gratitude diary where you regularly list things you are grateful for, to help you foster a positive mindset and become happier. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of negativity and stress. When we regularly list things we are grateful for, we can open ourselves to a world of positivity and appreciation.

Gratitude Diary

A fitness diary

A fitness diary to keep track of your workouts and results, measure your progress and possibly identify areas for improvement. It can help you stay motivated on your fitness journey, whether you aim to lose weight or build muscle. It will serve as a reminder of your hard work, dedication, and the transformations you undergo. By comparing these numbers over time, you'll witness your improvement. And do not forget to celebrate your achievements no matter how small they are, and reward yourself!

A race diary

A race diary is perfect for athletes and individuals who participate in competitive sports. It is a great tool to analyse your performance, set new goals, and push your limits. This diary is more than just a collection of numbers — it's your personal coach, confidant, and cheerleader, all wrapped up into one. By regularly recording your personal bests, you gain an intimate understanding of your capabilities and progress over time. The diary becomes a mirror, reflecting your growth.

A food diary

A food diary to help you keep track of your diet. It can help you identify patterns, set better nutritional goals, and establish a healthier relationship with food, as it can shift the focus from restrictive diets to mindful and balanced eating. A food diary goes far beyond mere calorie counting. For example, you may notice you're consuming too much-processed food or not getting enough fruits and vegetables. Or, you can identify food intolerances or allergies.

What you would normally use a journal for

A journal is generally a bit more nebulous and informal, a place for jotting down ideas, goals, random thoughts etc. without the constraints of a specific structure. Often journals aren't restricted to text, making use of diagrams and doodles and pictures too, allowing you to capture your experiences and thoughts in a multidimensional way. They are a safe space to explore your inner world and reflect on your values, beliefs and aspirations, and they can be of great help on your path to personal growth and self-discovery.

A Journal and A Pen

How do you write a journal vs a diary?

When it comes to writing styles,  diaries are typically arranged chronologically. The events, thoughts, or emotions written are more or less contemporaneous to the activity. Each entry serves as a snapshot of a specific moment, creating a timeline of experiences which we can then look back on and retrace the journey of our lives.

Diary entry example: It was snowing on March 1st. I had to shovel the walk before leaving for work.

A journal, on the other hand, may not stick strictly to a linear timeline and might be used to map out a general direction, perhaps partly based upon reflection on diary entries, of where one sees life going so they can determine if a course needs to be changed or if it's full sail ahead. They are more introspective and reflective and involve a higher level of self-awareness.

Journal entry example: It is with a profound sense of relief that I talked to my boss and let her know that I intend to leave the company at the end of this quarter. I like the company and my co-workers but no matter what I tried, work left me unsatisfied. I needed a change of pace and think switching career paths is the right thing for me to do. As Jobs said to Sculley, "Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?"

Difference between a diary and a memoir?

Think of a memoir as a sort of curated diary with reflective pauses. A memoir may delve into the events of a particular day but goes deeper into what eventually made that day important. Memoirs attempt to connect the dots in a life - attempting to find patterns in the day-to-day to form personal narratives. They describe not only what happened but also who we were and how those experiences shaped our identity and worldview. They reveal our character, desires, and motivations. Through the reflective lens of memoirs, we gain a deeper understanding of our personal journeys, finding meaning in the tapestry of our lives.

Here's what Virginia Woolf had to say on the topic: "Here I come to one of the memoir writer's difficulties — one of the reasons why, though I read so many, so many are failures. They leave out the person to whom things happened. The reason is that it is so difficult to describe any human being. So they say: ‘This is what happened'; but they do not say what the person was like to whom it happened.“

Writing in a Journal Near the Beach

Bullet journaling vs journaling

The difference between a journal and a bullet journal is the difference between cuisine and a diet. Food from a cuisine reflects history and tradition. The tastes, flavors, and techniques are developed over time. It embodies the cultural essence of different regions and is an expression of culinary artistry. Similarly, journaling encompasses a broader spectrum of personal expression and introspection. A diet, on the other hand, is a way of eating designed to facilitate a goal; weight loss, optimal muscle development, etc.

A bullet journal is a very specific way of recording information that falls into the contemporary desire to “life hack” - any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency. It focuses on streamlining tasks, setting goals, and prioritizing activities. With its concise bullet points, symbols, and trackers, a bullet journal can be a practical tool for managing tasks, appointments, and responsibilities.

The Bullet Journal method of personal organization was developed by designer Ryder Carroll and focuses on his concept of “intentional living” - weeding out distractions and focusing your time and energy in pursuit of what's truly meaningful, in both your work and your personal life. Think Marie Kondo, but instead of decluttering and organizing your drawers, it’s decluttering your mind and managing your tasks and time.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, we recommend you check out Carroll’s guide on the subject and if you feel like giving it a shot, looking at our purpose made bullet journal.

Writing Sessions Plan

What's right for you?

When it comes to personal record-keeping, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The beauty of diary-keeping and journaling lies in their versatility and adaptability to our own preferences and needs. Your results will vary, but that's true of many things, not just journaling. Give various methods a go and find what resonates with you. Some people are very detail-oriented and enjoy keeping a diary of their day-to-day lives. Others like to reflect on things more and prefer to keep a journal, allowing their thoughts and creativity to flow freely. Chances are you'll do a combination of both. No matter what you try, enjoy the journey either takes you because the true value lies not only in the destination but also in the transformative power of the journey itself.

For more information, check out our useful guides:

Sustainability Journaling

If you are aware of the environmental issues we are facing and strive to live a more eco-conscious life, a sustainability journal can be a powerful tool to document and celebrate your personal efforts to protect the environment. By dedicating a section of your diary or journal to sustainability, you can record the various eco-conscious practices you adopt, such as recycling, upcycling projects, embracing circular fashion, conscious cleaning routines, and even planting trees or creating a small garden. Use this space to jot down valuable lessons you’ve learned, inspirational quotes, and insightful tips you’ve discovered along the way. This dedicated eco-friendly diary/journal can be a tangible record of your environmental journey and serve as a source of motivation, reminding you of the positive impact you're making on the planet.

Eco-friendly journal | agood company
Eco-friendly natural grass pens | agood company

One more way you can make a positive impact, minimize your ecological footprint and contribute to the preservation of our forests is to opt for our eco-friendly journal made from stone paper. It is a tree-free alternative to traditional paper, its production requires no water and it generates lower carbon emissions. And you can rest assured your journal entries will withstand the test of time, as it is water-resistant, tear-resistant and very durable.  You could also pair your journal with our eco-friendly natural grass pens or humanium metal pen, made from sustainable materials, and write down your thoughts guilt-free.

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Anders Ankarlid

Anders Ankarlid

Co-founder & Product Development Lead

Co-founder of agood company and product development lead. A serial e-commerce entrepreneur, and a father of three. Have worked in e-commerce for more than a decade. Mindless consumption activist.

"I want to be able to look into my kids’ eyes and honestly say: "I did everything I could to hinder climate-change”

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