Dear Diary......
Dear Diary...
I still remember it was during the summer vacations of 2008.
That summer, my Nani gifted me my very first diary a simple brown-colored notebook, but for me, it became something way more special my best friend.
Later, I painted the cover white and wrote my favorite quotes all over it.
That diary wasn't just a notebook anymore it became a part of me.
Back then, I used to spend my days watching Shinchan and Pokemon, laughing at silly jokes and dreaming about magical worlds.
And every single day, without fail, I would open that diary and write. I start with " Dear Diary " And I would note the date, time, day, and everything that happened from the cartoons I watched, the games I played, the little fights I had, the people who made me smile, and even those who hurt me. Sometimes, I'd even write down which math equations frustrated me the most! It was a raw, honest place where I could be myself, without any fear of judgment.
As the years passed, the pages changed, the covers changed, the designs and pens changed, even my handwriting evolved but my words, my feelings, stayed the same.
From one diary, my collection slowly grew and by the time I reached my teenage years, I had six diaries filled with stories, emotions, and pieces of my heart.
Sometimes, I even let my friends read them I don't know why, maybe because a part of me wanted to be heard. Those diaries weren't just a record of what I did. They captured how I felt. They became the mirror of my soul.
Now, when I read them, I can't help but laugh at myself. At how I used to get upset over such small things like not being able to solve a simple math problem! Back then, it felt like the biggest tragedy.
Now... life is full of bigger problems, and yet I rarely complain anymore.
Maybe that's what growing up looks like we lose that innocence somewhere along the way.
Between 2018 to 2021, I stopped writing completely. Not a single word in my diaries, no posts, nothing.
Maybe life got too fast, too heavy, or maybe, I just forgot how to sit with myself. But somewhere deep inside, I missed that version of me.
And so, eventually, I picked up my pen again and started writing, once more, talking to myself, healing myself silently, through words. Recently, I traveled for 15 days, and for the first time since 2008, I spent days without my diary. Earlier, no matter where I went short trips, long vacations my diary was always by my side.
This time, it wasn't.
And in those 15 days, I realized something important. I can survive without it too. I can live, breathe, experience... without having to write down every little thing.
On my this birthday, standing at the edge of another year of my life, I made a decision I will not keep a diary anymore.
(Yeah, partly because it's risky too imagine if someone finds it and reads about my 5th-grade math's problems or my "biggest achievement" of solving a tough math sum. Major embarrassment material.)
And just like that, my journaling journey which started in 5th grade quietly came to an end around my PhD days. Funny, right? A habit that traveled with me through all the madness, exams, heartbreaks, dreams, failures, everything..... finally retired because I realized I didn’t need it to prove my existence anymore.
I had lived it. I had survived it. And that was enough..
The covers changed.
The pens changed.
The handwriting evolved.
But the words my words stayed pure.
Maybe that little girl who used to be upset over math problems has grown up now. Maybe she doesn’t need a diary anymore to talk to herself. Maybe she has learned how to talk to life instead.
So, Why Journaling is Important (For Kids and Adults Alike!)
When I first started journaling, it wasn’t about deep life reflections or fancy quotes.
It was about cartoons, math problems, and which classmate annoyed me that day.
(Yes, not solving a math equation was a valid reason for emotional breakdown back then.)
While watching cartoons, I would excitedly scribble about my little adventures who knew whether today’s crisis was homework or missing my favorite episode?
But what started as innocent rambling turned into a lifetime habit.
For kids, journaling is pure magic:
It’s their personal space where no one judges their spelling mistakes or cartoon crushes.
It improves writing, boosts imagination, and helps them connect emotions to real-life events. And believe me, when a kid writes about how they solved a math problem after ten tries, it’s not just cute it’s emotional resilience training in disguise.
For adults, journaling is survival gear:
It's therapy without the awkward small talk. It's helps self-reflection, and silent celebration all in one notebook.
It helps manage stress, anxiety, and those moments when life feels heavier than an unsolved algebra equation.
It encourages mindfulness you notice your thoughts, your struggles, your little victories.
It’s a way to pause, reflect, and sometimes just laugh at the little things you once thought were "end of the world" problems.
Journaling reminds us that even as grown-ups, it’s okay to feel lost sometimes and it's definitely okay to find comfort in writing things down.
In short, journaling isn’t just about recording what happens.
It’s about understanding yourself whether you're five years old struggling with multiplication tables, or thirty-five dealing with taxes and to-do lists. It’s your personal time capsule, showing how far you’ve come, and how resilient you really are.
And yes, sometimes you’ll read old entries and think, "Wow, I was really crying over a cartoon episode or this or that thing?"
But that’s the beauty of it, it shows growth, humor, and a lot of hidden strength.
As life moved on, my journals changed too from colorful cartoons to messy teenage poetry, to deep self-reflections.
And then... on my birthday, somewhere between a slice of cake and a slice of wisdom, I decided
"Maybe it's time to stop."
So, I stopped.
After years of writing, observing, and pouring my heart onto pages, I closed that chapter.
But not without learning the most important lesson: Journaling taught me that it's okay to feel, to fumble, and to laugh at your own past self.
Bottom line?
Whether you are struggling with math, chasing cartoon dreams, paying bills/taxes, or navigating heartbreaks journaling is like your secret sidekick.
Helping you grow, heal, and sometimes... just laugh at how seriously you took a missing eraser once upon a time.
How to Start Journaling
Ever bought a cute notebook, promised yourself you’ll write every day… and then left it untouched for months? Yeah, same.
Starting a journal feels big, but it’s actually super easy (and secretly fun too). Let’s break it down!
Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Notebook
You don't need a glittery, expensive diary to start.
Even a simple notebook works.
It’s about your words, not the cover!
Your Journal = Your Mess
No perfect handwriting needed.
No grammar police allowed.
It’s your safe place to be messy, weird, and real.
Write Like You Talk
Don’t try to sound smart.
Just write the way you would tell a story to your best friend.
Simple, funny, raw that’s the vibe.
Begin with the Basics
Not sure what to write?
Just talk about your day.
One moment, one memory, one random thought anything.
What you write about?
Feeling stuck?
Use prompts like:
• "Today felt like..."
• "Something small that made me happy was..."
• "If today was a cartoon episode, it would be about..."
Make It a Chill Habit
No pressure to write daily.
Once a week, twice a week whatever feels natural.
This is self-care, not homework!
Add Doodles, Stickers, or Random Lists
Journaling isn’t just about words.
Draw little doodles, make to-do lists, or paste cute stickers.
Make it yours.
Journaling = Therapy Without the Bill
It helps you clear your mind.
It helps you know yourself better.
And sometimes, it just helps you laugh at your own drama!
Final Thought
Journaling is like having a conversation with your past, present, and future self all at once.
Start today, even if it’s just one messy, silly line.
Future you will thank you!
Journaling is like talking to your best friend except they don’t interrupt, judge, or give you that fake "hmmm" reply. So whether you’re 8 or 80 — pick up that pen. Your future self will thank you (and maybe even laugh a little).
Disclaimer: Whatever I write or post isn't necessarily what’s happening in my life, okay?
I just really love observing things around me and putting them into words. As for my real personal stuff that used to go straight into my private diary... which, by the way, you’ll never get to read. And guess what?
Now even I can’t read them, because... well... I kind of burned them all.
Yep, poof gone!
Consider it my dramatic way of setting my past free and saving myself from some serious secondhand embarrassment.
So start writing and thanks me later.
I still remember it was during the summer vacations of 2008.
That summer, my Nani gifted me my very first diary a simple brown-colored notebook, but for me, it became something way more special my best friend.
Later, I painted the cover white and wrote my favorite quotes all over it.
That diary wasn't just a notebook anymore it became a part of me.
Back then, I used to spend my days watching Shinchan and Pokemon, laughing at silly jokes and dreaming about magical worlds.
And every single day, without fail, I would open that diary and write. I start with " Dear Diary " And I would note the date, time, day, and everything that happened from the cartoons I watched, the games I played, the little fights I had, the people who made me smile, and even those who hurt me. Sometimes, I'd even write down which math equations frustrated me the most! It was a raw, honest place where I could be myself, without any fear of judgment.
As the years passed, the pages changed, the covers changed, the designs and pens changed, even my handwriting evolved but my words, my feelings, stayed the same.
From one diary, my collection slowly grew and by the time I reached my teenage years, I had six diaries filled with stories, emotions, and pieces of my heart.
Sometimes, I even let my friends read them I don't know why, maybe because a part of me wanted to be heard. Those diaries weren't just a record of what I did. They captured how I felt. They became the mirror of my soul.
Now, when I read them, I can't help but laugh at myself. At how I used to get upset over such small things like not being able to solve a simple math problem! Back then, it felt like the biggest tragedy.
Now... life is full of bigger problems, and yet I rarely complain anymore.
Maybe that's what growing up looks like we lose that innocence somewhere along the way.
Between 2018 to 2021, I stopped writing completely. Not a single word in my diaries, no posts, nothing.
Maybe life got too fast, too heavy, or maybe, I just forgot how to sit with myself. But somewhere deep inside, I missed that version of me.
And so, eventually, I picked up my pen again and started writing, once more, talking to myself, healing myself silently, through words. Recently, I traveled for 15 days, and for the first time since 2008, I spent days without my diary. Earlier, no matter where I went short trips, long vacations my diary was always by my side.
This time, it wasn't.
And in those 15 days, I realized something important. I can survive without it too. I can live, breathe, experience... without having to write down every little thing.
On my this birthday, standing at the edge of another year of my life, I made a decision I will not keep a diary anymore.
(Yeah, partly because it's risky too imagine if someone finds it and reads about my 5th-grade math's problems or my "biggest achievement" of solving a tough math sum. Major embarrassment material.)
And just like that, my journaling journey which started in 5th grade quietly came to an end around my PhD days. Funny, right? A habit that traveled with me through all the madness, exams, heartbreaks, dreams, failures, everything..... finally retired because I realized I didn’t need it to prove my existence anymore.
I had lived it. I had survived it. And that was enough..
The covers changed.
The pens changed.
The handwriting evolved.
But the words my words stayed pure.
Maybe that little girl who used to be upset over math problems has grown up now. Maybe she doesn’t need a diary anymore to talk to herself. Maybe she has learned how to talk to life instead.
So, Why Journaling is Important (For Kids and Adults Alike!)
When I first started journaling, it wasn’t about deep life reflections or fancy quotes.
It was about cartoons, math problems, and which classmate annoyed me that day.
(Yes, not solving a math equation was a valid reason for emotional breakdown back then.)
While watching cartoons, I would excitedly scribble about my little adventures who knew whether today’s crisis was homework or missing my favorite episode?
But what started as innocent rambling turned into a lifetime habit.
For kids, journaling is pure magic:
It’s their personal space where no one judges their spelling mistakes or cartoon crushes.
It improves writing, boosts imagination, and helps them connect emotions to real-life events. And believe me, when a kid writes about how they solved a math problem after ten tries, it’s not just cute it’s emotional resilience training in disguise.
For adults, journaling is survival gear:
It's therapy without the awkward small talk. It's helps self-reflection, and silent celebration all in one notebook.
It helps manage stress, anxiety, and those moments when life feels heavier than an unsolved algebra equation.
It encourages mindfulness you notice your thoughts, your struggles, your little victories.
It’s a way to pause, reflect, and sometimes just laugh at the little things you once thought were "end of the world" problems.
Journaling reminds us that even as grown-ups, it’s okay to feel lost sometimes and it's definitely okay to find comfort in writing things down.
In short, journaling isn’t just about recording what happens.
It’s about understanding yourself whether you're five years old struggling with multiplication tables, or thirty-five dealing with taxes and to-do lists. It’s your personal time capsule, showing how far you’ve come, and how resilient you really are.
And yes, sometimes you’ll read old entries and think, "Wow, I was really crying over a cartoon episode or this or that thing?"
But that’s the beauty of it, it shows growth, humor, and a lot of hidden strength.
As life moved on, my journals changed too from colorful cartoons to messy teenage poetry, to deep self-reflections.
And then... on my birthday, somewhere between a slice of cake and a slice of wisdom, I decided
"Maybe it's time to stop."
So, I stopped.
After years of writing, observing, and pouring my heart onto pages, I closed that chapter.
But not without learning the most important lesson: Journaling taught me that it's okay to feel, to fumble, and to laugh at your own past self.
Bottom line?
Whether you are struggling with math, chasing cartoon dreams, paying bills/taxes, or navigating heartbreaks journaling is like your secret sidekick.
Helping you grow, heal, and sometimes... just laugh at how seriously you took a missing eraser once upon a time.
How to Start Journaling
Ever bought a cute notebook, promised yourself you’ll write every day… and then left it untouched for months? Yeah, same.
Starting a journal feels big, but it’s actually super easy (and secretly fun too). Let’s break it down!
Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Notebook
You don't need a glittery, expensive diary to start.
Even a simple notebook works.
It’s about your words, not the cover!
Your Journal = Your Mess
No perfect handwriting needed.
No grammar police allowed.
It’s your safe place to be messy, weird, and real.
Write Like You Talk
Don’t try to sound smart.
Just write the way you would tell a story to your best friend.
Simple, funny, raw that’s the vibe.
Begin with the Basics
Not sure what to write?
Just talk about your day.
One moment, one memory, one random thought anything.
What you write about?
Feeling stuck?
Use prompts like:
• "Today felt like..."
• "Something small that made me happy was..."
• "If today was a cartoon episode, it would be about..."
Make It a Chill Habit
No pressure to write daily.
Once a week, twice a week whatever feels natural.
This is self-care, not homework!
Add Doodles, Stickers, or Random Lists
Journaling isn’t just about words.
Draw little doodles, make to-do lists, or paste cute stickers.
Make it yours.
Journaling = Therapy Without the Bill
It helps you clear your mind.
It helps you know yourself better.
And sometimes, it just helps you laugh at your own drama!
Final Thought
Journaling is like having a conversation with your past, present, and future self all at once.
Start today, even if it’s just one messy, silly line.
Future you will thank you!
Journaling is like talking to your best friend except they don’t interrupt, judge, or give you that fake "hmmm" reply. So whether you’re 8 or 80 — pick up that pen. Your future self will thank you (and maybe even laugh a little).
Disclaimer: Whatever I write or post isn't necessarily what’s happening in my life, okay?
I just really love observing things around me and putting them into words. As for my real personal stuff that used to go straight into my private diary... which, by the way, you’ll never get to read. And guess what?
Now even I can’t read them, because... well... I kind of burned them all.
Yep, poof gone!
Consider it my dramatic way of setting my past free and saving myself from some serious secondhand embarrassment.
So start writing and thanks me later.
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