I started something exactly a year ago today that surprises me.
It all began on 7th November 2023
For the past 365 days I have written in a diary. And I’m not talking about just a few scribbles here and there, I stuck to it every single day for a whole year – and it wasn’t always easy, believe me!
Here’s how it all started, how I kept going, and what I’ve learned.
Why I Started
As I said, It all began on 7th November 2023, but the idea had been brewing for a while. I’ve been a journal keeper in the past but it’s always been sporadic, a bit all or nothing.
I also spent seven years trying to make bullet journaling work, trying all the layouts, spreads, stickers and routines. But last year, I realised—this is just not me. I like to have a little more freedom, a little less structure. A good to-do list in a small carry everywhere notebook does the trick. Oh the dopamine hit of those ticks! ✔️
During 2023/24 I was also going through a particularly tough period in my life, and journalling seemed like a gentle, creative outlet to help me process my thoughts, grief and emotions. It felt like the perfect opportunity to try something more open-ended. I wanted to get my thoughts out without the pressure of perfect layouts or strict rules. So this time, I approached it differently. I decided to start writing every day, but without forcing myself to follow any specific format.
On The 7 Nov I wrote:
“I’m trying something new – a 31 day journalling practice. I’ve been a bit hit + miss with writing so I’m going to give this a go for a month. I know one of my biggest problems is that I would hate it if anyone found my diaries after I’m gone + I wrote something painful for them that we could never discuss.
Maybe I should elther one day burn, bury or otherwise destroy them. Or just accept they will and it’s ok. Is just how I felt in the moment + writing about it is a healthy thing. So fresh start, no filters, blocks, no writing concerned someone will read it.”
I also started using Card Diary app, a simple way to upload photos from my day and write a sentence or two. Mostly as a kind of way to document my days and reflect on my achievements or simply track how the day passed. I tried to keep that upbeat and brief.
How I Kept It Up
I didn’t overcomplicate it. The idea was to make it fit into my daily life, not the other way around. It pretty soon became apparent it worked for me in the evenings in bed.
Some nights I’d write for just a few minutes, jotting down thoughts or an event, a brain dump, quote, list, or a quick reflection. Other nights, when I had a more knotty issue on my mind I’d write pages and pages. It didn’t matter how much or how little, as long as I showed up. I found that writing in the evening, after everything had settled, gave me the chance to close the day on a calmer note and empty my thoughts, thus preparing for a good nights sleep. And 31 days became 2 months, then 6, then a whole year.
What I Wrote In
This is where the adhd need for novelty kicks in. But I found a hack – a variety of notebooks and pens. Instead of investing in a large book for the whole year, I embraced my stationery nerd and let her (me) treat herself to a new notebook every month to 3 months. There is a wonderful papeterie in Toulouse, La Mucca, and they’ve seen a lot of my wallet.
I vary the size, format, covers, brands. I’ve discovered I love Korean stationery (of course) as well as French, lines over dotted grids and I prefer off-white paper. I also used all kinds of pens from a basic black ballpoint to a pencil to a purple gel pen. My two absolute favourites though are a cactus gel pen given to me by my daughter and a Hongdian fountain pen from her boyfriend. I tend to stick with one until I need a change and then stick with that one for a while.
The day after posting this I bought some Jacques Herbin ink in Terre de Feu and it is the loveliest ink I’ve used ♡
This constant switching up kept things fresh and interesting for me and the act of changing up my tools made writing my diary feel more like a creative process than a rigid task. It was one of the small details that helped me stick with it.
What I Learned
The biggest takeaway for me was that I CAN actually stick to something. I’m not exactly known for my consistency, especially when it comes to new habits. But somehow, I managed to make this a daily practice, and it felt great. Some days I was tired and uninspired, but I still wrote. Even if it was just a short list of “3 Good Things”* that happened during the day, it kept the habit alive.
*I wrote this list every single day to make sure I ended on a positive note. When I was having a really bad day and needed my pity party for one, it felt good to remind myself of my privilege, the good people and moments of the day. Sometimes finding 3 was tough and it might just be the meal that filled my belly or my cat purring on my lap, but once I got the habit it becomes easier to see the glimmers.
What surprised me was how much I actually enjoyed the act of writing itself. I always thought of myself as someone who had plenty of ideas but hated sitting down to write. But it turns out, I love it. It became a therapeutic outlet, even on days when I had nothing big to reflect on. Writing helped me clear my head, unload the mental clutter, and process whatever was going on in my life.
I’ve learned that keeping a diary is something I can fit in daily and will definitely continue doing it. I don’t force myself to write more than I feel like. But I’ve also realised how valuable it is and how powerful the simple act of writing can be. It has been a massive part of my healing and growth. I feel like I know myself much better and have developed more self confidence in who I am and so be more authentic.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a diary habit, my advice is simple: don’t overthink it. Whether you write every day or once a week, find a way that works for you. It’s a powerful way to connect with your thoughts, emotions, and creativity.