Before Social Media

Before the age of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram instead of posting online, people used to write in diaries regularly to keep their ideas and memories recorded. Although many people prefer to do this in secret as the entries are usually personal and confidential, it still might be a great way to document experiences that might enlighten future generations. In addition to this, when you write in a diary, you have a chance to record important events in your lifetime. It’s also known that some of the most significant people in history kept diaries. Andy Warhol, Franz Kafka, Ernest Hemingway, Anna Frank, Kurt Cobain and Virginia Wolf are only some of them. However, keeping a diary is not an easy task because it requires time, effort, patience, concentration and the ability to write.

No matter how much time and effort is required, there are many different reasons for people to keep a diary. Some of them want to leave memories behind for their children while some of them write so that they can remember things in the future. Some of them just write to reduce their own stress. Whatever reason a person has to keep a diary, the action itself has many benefits for the writer. First of all, as time passes, we tend to forget details. However, when you jot things down, there is no such risk. Secondly, scientists claim that writing helps people clarify their thoughts and organize their ideas because it is a way of reflecting your feelings. Therefore, writing empowers the author.

On the contrary, keeping a journal also comes with its disadvantages as well. If you have a busy life, writing can take up your time. Also, your former entries, especially the ones that make you feel sad or angry might cause negative feelings when you read them again. Remembering good memories is desirable but bad memories might not have the same effect. Also, even though you keep your diary or journal secret in locked folders, people might end up seeing and reading it.

However, keeping a diary has more advantages than disadvantages and it can do wonders for your health. Think about it again and decide if you want to keep one yourself so that you might throw light on the future. Remember, if Anne Frank hadn’t kept a diary, she would have remained an ordinary girl in the dusty pages of history.