How to Keep a Diary or Journal (for Teenagers)

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

It's a good idea to keep a journal because when years have passed, you will find it interesting to read what you have gone through. You can see how you dealt with it, and discover ways to deal with similar situations in the future. If you have been through something unusual or difficult, you might even choose to publish parts of the book. It's also nice to get your feelings out, and written down, as it helps you understand yourself better. If you want to keep a journal but don't know where to start, this article is for you!

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Keeping Your Own Diary or Journal

1
Buy a diary or journal. This is only necessary if you don't have one already. If you want to keep a journal, buy a nice-looking journal or you can even use a spiral notebook. Try bookstores and regular grocery stores and check the section with books or school supplies for notebooks. Consider how you are going to decorate the book when you are buying it. Also consider the size, shape, and colors.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Decorate the outside. Do this to your liking. It should reflect your personality! Draw something, write your name, and/or write "My Diary/Journal". Decorate with stickers or similar, and you can even spray perfume on to give it a special scent.
- On the first page, you should write something, if you lose or forget the diary somewhere, to notify those who find it that it is yours, to please return it to you, and to ask them kindly to not go snooping in your private journal. Write down your: Name, E-Mail, and Telephone number but never your address.
- On the first page, you can also write down a little about yourself, like age, interests, favorite food, color, music, TV show, and friends. This will remind you in the future of what you were like.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Remember to write. Write regularly in your Journal or Diary - this does not have to be every day. When something different or exciting happens, write it down. If you feel too tired to write, remember to do so the next day. It's the special days and feelings that count the most.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Don't force yourself to write each day, it will take the joy out of writing and discourage future entries
- If something small happens, but you still want to write it down, do it! It doesn't matter if your entries are long and detailed, as long as it reflects who you are.

Image titled Keep a Diary or Journal (for Teenagers) Step 3

1
Take care of it. Keep the diary/journal at hand most of the day so you won't forget it at home, school, the park, etc. Have it in your bag or similar, and remember a pen, so you can write if you get bored. It's also very good to write down ideas, poems, lyrics, or drawings. Having your book on you will make your creativity grow, and keep boredom from taking over your day.
2
Know the idea of a diary or journal. The idea of a Diary/Journal is fairly simple: Write down whatever you want! What happened today, how you feel, ideas, poems, short stories, anything. It's yours! Diaries can be useful to let out your anger, also. You can also use a journal to take down useful notations about some of your interests, like what animals you have seen, where, what time, and in what condition. Doing this often will give you a chance to overlook a situation, which can be useful.^{[4]
X
Research source}
3
Be careful where you place your diary. In or under your pillowcase, on your desk, anywhere you feel it is safe. Nosy or curious friends/family might want to take a look at your diary, and it's advised not to put it anywhere they might find it.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

What if I have problems? Like family and social problems? Should I write them down as well?

Kira Me

Community Answer

Yes, you can write about anything you like in your diary. Writing about your problems can help you process them and relieve some of the negative emotions.
Question

I always want to write in my diary at school, but I can't because everyone bothers me at recess. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try finding a quiet place to write. The school library is a good place, or you can ask a teacher if you could quietly work in their room.
Question

Do you think I should use fake names in my diary in case someone finds it?

Kira Me

Community Answer

If you want to hide the identity of person you're writing about, this is very good and useful way to do it. As long as you can create good fake name that you'll remember and will hide the real name well.