Diaries

Journey through one's own life

Diaries are very private and individual documents. Each one is unique and carries different meanings for its author or owner. The diary is also called diarium (Latin) or memoire (French) and is a chronological record from the first perspective. A kind of self-testimony, usually handwritten and usually with confidential and private content not intended for publication. A fresh impression of what has been experienced, a description of activities, subjective descriptions of feelings and moods but also evaluations of thoughts and events can be included in a diary.

Intrinsic and with personal expression

The regular keeping of records in chronological order is what makes a diary. It is not so much how you write something down and where - it is more about the fact that you write it down. The first-person perspective of the writer provides insights into his or her innermost being, but also into the everyday life he or she leads. Diaries can be diverse and colourful, but also multifaceted and creative. They are a place where the most personal thoughts and feelings reside. Tickets, collages, mementos and drawings can also complement the personal records.

Types of diaries

The subject can be like a journey through one's own life. But also the mirror of one's own self or of the inner child. Just as the writer wants it to be. For example, inspiration can be collected in an idea diary. As a source of creativity and idea generation, notes on the ideas are entered and collected here at any time and independent of time and place. The possible topics of the ideas are as varied as the personalities of the writers. Or in a gratitude diary, everything for which the writer feels gratitude is noted down. Even the important attachment figures, the favourite pets or the drastic changes in life can find their way into this variant. A third possibility are travel diaries: journeys and holidays are important events in our lives. The memories of these events often stay with us for a lifetime. These can be positive but also negative things. In a travel diary, feelings, impressions and emotions are written down, but also places and people that made the journey exactly what it was for the author.

A short historical digression

Early on, people liked to write down their thoughts or experiences. For example, diaries were already found in antiquity in which the authors reported on gods, the weather or everyday life. Finds from the sixth century bear witness to reports on market prices and water levels. But it was not until the Middle Ages that records of individuals and their personal experiences or thoughts were found. During the Renaissance, man's ego consciousness grew and he wanted to step out of anonymity. This was accompanied by the development of paper, which was used as a writing material. In the 15th century, there were mainly copies about current events and historical events to which comments were added. The chronicle diaries contain many observations by contemporary witnesses. The 17th and 18th . Century was characterised by doubts, weaknesses, vanity and hedonism. In the diaries one finds the sensitivities of one's own ego with accountability to oneself. It was not until the 20th century that the diary found its way back from its subjective character to an objective report. Diaries of victims of dictatorship, war and violence stand for the exceptional situations in which people found themselves. In the 21st century, they are increasingly made public and accessible to the masses via the internet as weblogs.

Buy diaries online

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