The Benefits of keeping a Diary

[Butts]

Bearing in mind the frailty of the human memory is it not surprising more people do not keep a Diary?

Photographs are one source to stimulate your grey matter but they cannot tell you what you were thinking twenty years ago.

I recently had an argument with my Brothers that demonstrated the use of a journal when I was able to go back 15 years to verify an event.

Their recollection of what actually happened had faded with time (as had mine) and my Diary proved to be the arbiter of the first order.

Does anyone else keep a Diary, it is fascinating (probably mainly for older people) to reminisce on years gone by.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I don't. I keep meaning to start writing down anecdotes that have happened to me in case they might be interesting or amusing in the future, but I've never got around to it. A not insignificant amount of my colleagues do though.

I suppose the 21st century variant of keeping a diary is blogging.

 

[Techniquest]

Facebook statuses and tweets on Twitter will be the most modern form of a diary I would say.

I was for ages keeping a Thought of the Day log on my old phone, which I revisted a while back and I had forgotten some of the entries. Probably for the better mind!

In a way, the trip reports I write go some way to forming an insight to things and a diary-like log I suppose. I did once experiment with writing a proper diary-style log in an A6 book a long time ago, but quickly gave it up.

 

[Bob Ames]

I couldn't imagine not having one! I've maintained a daily journal since 05 November 1991, which began as hand-written scrawl in old exercise books (has been computer-based since 2002). My journal has helped me with the little things (e.g. have I rented this movie before? / when was the last time this bozo telephoned me and how much does he owe me? / have I been on 221109 before?) and with the bigger things (like defending myself in a lawsuit).

 

[Butts]

Facebook statuses and tweets on Twitter will be the most modern form of a diary I would say.

I was for ages keeping a Thought of the Day log on my old phone, which I revisted a while back and I had forgotten some of the entries. Probably for the better mind!

In a way, the trip reports I write go some way to forming an insight to things and a diary-like log I suppose. I did once experiment with writing a proper diary-style log in an A6 book a long time ago, but quickly gave it up.

Agh..not that modern garbage give me "quill and ink" any day

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Agh..not that modern garbage give me "quill and ink" any day

Yes I agree with you there. I still prefer to use Ink Pen and paper.

I did have a diary for a while, years ago at school in the 1960s & 70s, we were made to do a diary for a year, not quite sure what the reason was, but we got into trouble if it was not filled in.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I just wouldn't have time for a diary; I'm overloaded enough as it is!

 

[Butts]

I just wouldn't have time for a diary; I'm overloaded enough as it is!

You don't have to have a "War and Peace" journal, mainly a highlight of significant events.

When you can check something from 25 years ago it is quite revealing.

Mind you in the wrong hands........

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Well... my Twitter feed is the nearest I've got to a diary. Or the time for!

 

[Butts]

Well... my Twitter feed is the nearest I've got to a diary. Or the time for!

Oh dear - I am loathe to discuss ****ter

 

[D6975]

Never kept one myself, but this reminds me of someone who did.
He's called Pip and was a haulage basher from Kenilworth or Warwick IIRC.
He kept a diary of his haulage moves in an A4 hardback notebook, leaving 6x4 gaps as he went along for photos to be inserted later.
I thought of doing it myself at the time but didn't, probably mainly down to me liking my photos in albums.