My Diary

My Diary is a plain journal I bought from the PNA office when I renewed my membership ID. It was very handy.

My diary is more than just a diary to me; it’s a personal reflection of my experiences, my memories, and the moments that have shaped my days. It all started when I bought a plain journal from the PNA office while renewing my membership ID.

I was drawn to the simplicity of the journal, with its soft cover and uncomplicated design. It felt like a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with my thoughts, memories, and ideas. Though I have always struggled with consistency when it comes to journaling, the diary itself became a constant companion in my life. It was a small, convenient size, making it easy to carry around wherever I went. And the inner print, simple as it was, provided just enough structure to guide my entries without feeling restrictive. The clean lines and space for notes gave me the freedom to write however I liked.

I have to admit, though, that while I wanted to write religiously in my Diary, I have often been forgetful. There are many empty pages scattered throughout, moments of silence where I just couldn’t bring myself to write. Despite this, I found ways to make the diary feel alive and filled with meaning.

One of my favorite tricks in my diary is to fill those empty spaces with stickers. Stickers have become a part of my journaling ritual, giving color and texture to the blank spots. Sometimes, if I’m feeling a bit more creative, I’ll cut out logos from leaflets of places I visited or restaurants I dined at and stick them onto the pages or calendar grids of my journal. It’s a fun way to keep the memory of those moments alive, even when I forget to write them down.

My planner, on the other hand, serves a different purpose. It helps me stay organized, but like my diary, it’s not foolproof. I try to write down appointments and reminders ahead of time, but if I forget to check it, the planner loses its usefulness. It’s a constant cycle of writing something down and then forgetting to review it. Still, I find it helpful, especially when I need a quick reference to something important or when I want to see how far I’ve come with certain goals or plans. Over time, I started using my planner less as a traditional planner and more as a journal.

I no longer rely on it just for appointments, but for remembering memorable events, significant moments, and even random thoughts that cross my mind. It has evolved into a memento album, a tangible collection of the moments that make up my life. The pages are filled not just with tasks and reminders, but with the essence of who I am in that particular moment in time.

What I truly love about my planner, and by extension, my journal, is the freedom they provide. While I may not always have the time or energy to write out long, detailed entries, the small gestures, such as adding stickers or cutting out items from places I visit, allow me to preserve memories in a way that feels authentic to me.

These simple acts of adding something visual, like a sticker, can often say more about my day than words could. For example, if I’ve had a particularly stressful day but end up feeling better after a good conversation with a friend, I might add a sticker that reflects that feeling of peace or growth. On days when I feel nostalgic, I might place a sticker that reminds me of a time when I was happy or more carefree.

It’s not just the stickers that make my planner and journal so meaningful to me, but the act of reflection that comes with it. When life gets tough or when I feel like I’m not making progress, I turn to my journal and planner. I’ll flip through the pages, rereading the little notes or looking at the stickers that remind me of happier times, of accomplishments I’ve achieved, and the blessings I’ve experienced. It’s my way of grounding myself, of seeing the bigger picture. Sometimes,

I’ll even jot down a short note in my planner or journal just to express my gratitude for something that happened that day—no matter how small it may seem. This act of gratitude reminds me that even the difficult moments are part of the bigger picture, and it helps me maintain a sense of balance.

I’ve even shared my love for journaling in a blog post, long before I came across any contests about writing or journaling. In that post, I talked about how my journal has been a tool for self-expression and memory-keeping. I explained how it has allowed me to reflect on my growth and the different stages of my life. It’s a place where I’ve learned to celebrate my wins and acknowledge my losses. Through my journaling, I’ve learned to embrace both the ups and downs, knowing that each experience contributes to who I am today.

Reflecting on how my journal and planner have evolved over time, I realize how much they’ve become a part of my personal journey. What started as a simple tool for organization has turned into a cherished artifact of my life. It’s not just about the physical act of writing, but the emotional connection I’ve built with the pages. My journal is a place where I’ve found comfort, where I can let go of my thoughts and emotions without judgment. It’s a safe space where I can reflect on my experiences, big or small, and appreciate the unique path I’ve taken. Every sticker, every note, every small detail tells a story of who I was and who I am becoming.

For anyone considering starting a diary or planner of their own, I highly recommend it. It doesn’t matter if you’re forgetful or inconsistent, because journaling isn’t about perfection. It’s about capturing moments and reflecting on your personal journey. Even the most imperfectly filled pages can offer a sense of comfort and insight. Whether it’s through words, stickers, or other forms of expression, your journal can become a reflection of your growth, your struggles, and your successes. It’s your story, and only you can tell it in the way that feels most meaningful to you.

Here it is: http://ladystapler.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-paper-journal.html