Diary

A diary is a written or audiovisual record of memorable moments. It consists of discrete entries that are arranged by date. These entries report on events that happened during a specific day or period. A person who keeps such a record is called a diarist. While diaries were traditionally handwritten, they are now often digital. Most personal diaries focus on an individual's own experiences, thoughts, or feelings. They usually exclude comments on current events outside of the writer's direct experience.

There are different ways to use this type of writing. Some diaries serve institutional purposes for human civilization. These include government records like Hansard, business ledgers, or military records. In British English, the word can also mean a preprinted journal format. Most people use the term for personal diaries meant for private use. A diary is different from a journal in its frequency. The word diary comes from the Latin word for "day." Therefore, a diary usually contains daily entries, while journal writing can be less frequent.

Writing styles and purposes have changed throughout history. In the Middle Ages, some mystics kept daily notes about inward emotions. These writers, such as Elizabeth of Schönau, focused on spiritual importance. During the Renaissance, people began to record their own opinions and fears. They did this without any intention of publishing their notes. Famous Renaissance examples include the diaries of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati. These writers recorded everyday occurrences alongside deep personal reflections.

The history of record-keeping goes back thousands of years. The earliest known book resembling a diary is the Diary of Merer. This ancient Egyptian logbook describes transporting limestone to Giza for the Great Pyramid. In the 11th century, Abu Ali ibn al-Banna wrote a diary in Arabic. His work is the earliest known to be arranged by date. In the 1600s, the word "diary" was used in Ben Jonson's comedy, Volpone. Later, in 1908, the Smythson company created the first featherweight diary. This innovation allowed people to carry their records with them easily.

Many famous diaries have become important parts of literature. Samuel Pepys is one of the earliest well-known diarists. His diaries were first published in 1825 and include eyewitness accounts of the Great Fire of London. In the 20th century, Anne Frank wrote a very famous diary while in hiding. Her father, Otto Frank, edited the work for publication after the war.

Some people use diaries for self-exploration, like Carl Jung or Anaïs Nin. Others, like Friedrich Kellner, viewed their diaries as weapons against tyranny.

Technology has introduced new ways to maintain these records. The first online diary, Open Diary, was published in 1994 by Claudio Pinhanez. Today, many people use mobile apps for iOS and Android. These digital diaries offer speed, portability, and search capabilities. Some apps even suggest entries based on your location, music, or photos. To protect privacy, some software uses 256-bit AES encryption. This ensures that only the owner can read the private entries.

There are many specialized types of journals available today. A gratitude journal is used to list things for which one is thankful. This is a common practice in positive psychology. A sleep diary helps doctors diagnose sleep disorders or track dreams. Gardeners use journals to record weather and plant growth over time. Some people practice freewriting to let thoughts flow without any constraints. A personal organizer is another type used to list daily tasks and actions. Each method helps the writer connect with their own life and world.