What’s the Difference Between a Journal & a Diary?
This question comes up every now and then, but having begun to read Leaving a Trace: On Keeping a Journal, by Alexandra Johnson, again, I see she also addresses this question in her first chapter. You can read how Johnson answers in the first chapter of her book here.
From my own research it seems both words, at their origin; mean simply a written daily record. So, in my opinion I feel it’s open for the user to decide. I like the way journal sounds, but it doesn’t bother me if people ask if I keep a diary. I’d be happy to call what I do either, because to me it’s more about what I actually write than what I call it.
I can call this process many different things, but I do know it works for me. The act of sitting down to note my mood, my surroundings, my day, my anger or joy, my failings and successes, helps me make sense of my life.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments section below.
Tags: journal-writing, leaving-a-trace, whats-the-difference-between-a-journal-and-a-diary?-aleRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing
9 opinions for What’s the Difference Between a Journal & a Diary?
Yetzirah
Jul 25, 2006 at 9:36 am
I agree with you that the words both mean essentially the same thing, though ‘journal’ always sounds more serious and sophisticated. A diary seems like might be about more mundane things, but a journal might be filled with more thoughtful, philosophical musings. But that’s just an impression.
;-)
paw
Jul 25, 2006 at 5:22 pm
thank you for sharing that link! it was a wonderful read.
Heather Goldsmith
Jul 26, 2006 at 12:04 am
Yes, it’s just the meanings we have assigned to the words that give us these impressions, though. That’s what I believe anyway. Thanks for your comment. ;-)
Heather Goldsmith
Jul 26, 2006 at 12:16 am
Hi Paw,
I appreciate your comment. I’m always looking for interesting information for my readers. Thanks. ;-)
Velma
Apr 10, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I call mine a journal, when explaining it to other people; for myself, it’s my paper soul. If pressed, I’d probably say that I like the connection between “journal” and “journey,” but I don’t care whether someone else calls it a journal, a diary, or a notebook.
Chet
Apr 10, 2008 at 9:29 pm
When I was growing up, “keeping a diary” was the preferred phrase. That was what I did. I kept a diary. These days, “journalling” is the preferred term. It sounds better than “diarying”. *smile* I have kept a diary / journal since I was about 14, in the early 70s, and I continue to do so till this day, altho the format has changed. I now keep an off-line electronic journal and also a weblog. I aslo occasionally write by hand in my Moleskine and Circa notebooks.
Heather Goldsmith
Apr 11, 2008 at 12:49 am
Hi Velma,
I love that name; Paper Soul. It really does describe what it is we do with our journals, or whatever we call them. Thanks for your comment. ;-)
Heather Goldsmith
Apr 11, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hi Chet,I’m so glad you’ve continued to keep a diary or journal from when you were so much younger. I really wish I could’ve gotten myself to do that. Thanks for leaving a comment. ;-)
Hamidou
Jan 7, 2009 at 6:07 am
Hello.I’m so delighted to see how people give more importance to these two words.Thus from my understanding I prefer to call “a diary”,a book in which I register all events that happen that involve my personality.In the other hand,a journal,all what happens in my environement no matter if it concerns me. Both are daily.
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