Why do we do it?

Why do millions of us all over the globe sit down and scribble our innermost thoughts onto a piece of paper? What drives ordinary human beings to take up a pen and record the minutiae of their days? Why do you do it? If you are anything like me, you don't really know. There is no one reason or set of reasons that send me to my writing table every day. All I know is that this is something that I am compelled to do, and that is more than enough reason for me.

But what about those of you who do need a reason? Maybe you have a vague desire to keep a diary, but cannot seem to get started on it because you have not convinced yourself that it is a worthwhile venture. Maybe your internal task master is telling you that this is not the most constructive use of your time. Or, maybe a parent, spouse, or friend just does not get it. They do not understand why you stay up late at night just to write down what you had for dinner. Whatever the circumstance, you find yourself nuturing a niggling seed of doubt. You know that there are perfectly good reasons for keeping a journal; you just cannot think of any.

Well, I can think of several - 101, in fact. Here are 101 reasons to start and benefits to keeping a diary or journal, all of them perfectly valid. Use them to quiet the critic (in whatever form) or to keep yourself motivated. Or read them and simply celebrate a tradition that is almost as old as the written word itself.

Why Keep a Journal?

1. To store your memories
2. To hone your craft (writing, art, basketweaving)
3. To have your say
4. To provide a history for your unknown descendents
5. To contain your rage
6. To chart your progress
7. To amuse yourself
8. To play make-believe
9. To express your narcissistic side
10. To keep your goals and aspirations in sight
11. To celebrate the quotidian
12. To work through grief
13. To clear your head
14. To welcome a new life
15. To develop your spiritual side
16. To wallow in your materialistic side
17. To figure out what you want
18. To have something to do while you are waiting
19. To remind yourself of what you have
20. To keep personal records
21. To keep track of and record your thoughts about all the books you read
22. To keep all of your favorite quotes in one place
23. To remind yourself of what videos to rent
24. To justify your pen obsession, er, collection
25. To jot down the interesting tidbit you just heard on NPR
26. To have a place to put all those ticket stubs
27. To have "something interesting to read on the train"
28. To record Fido's antics for posterity
29. To complain about the $7 you just spent on the worst movie of all time
30. To plot your course
31. To develop a personal philosophy
32. To create your own personal almanac
33. To remember the name (and address) of the bistro that charmed you in Paris
34. To transcribe the bizarre encounter you just had on the subway
35. To use as a safe place to rant about all the annoying things that your co-workers do
36. Because your friends are tired of hearing you complain about your boss
37. To toot your own horn
38. To crow about the great bargains you just found
39. To document changes in your health
40. To unflinchingly record exactly how many fun-size Twix bars you just ate
41. To let your inner child have a voice
42. To let your inner curdemudgen gripe without restraint
43. To wax poetic about the harvest moon
44. To remember where to plant the tulips next year
45. To describe the way a rainy day makes you feel
46. To work out creative solutions to your problems
47. To work through a crisis of faith
48. To express yourself to a loved one in a non-confrontational way
49. To remember that a teaspoon of cinnamon makes the cookies taste better
50. To note exactly why your science project just blew up in your face
51. To test a new set of paints before you try to use them on your current masterpiece
52. To have a place to put the Hello Kitty stickers you simply could not resist
53. To ponder the meaning of the intriguing conversation you overheard on the plane
54. To try and make sense of life's mysteries
55. To have a tactile experience in a world full of bytes
56. To remind yourself to slow down
57. To have something entirely for yourself
58. To allow yourself time to reflect
59. To comment on the world around you
60. To help you figure out how your dream life relates to your waking life
61. To help you keep track of your hard-earned money
62. To help you recognize the patterns in your life
63. To write history from your unique point of view and perspective
64. To capture all of your great ideas
65. Because sometimes you would rather write books than read them
66. So that you can have tangible proof of how much you have grown as a person
67. To remember who you invited to your last dinner party and what you served them
68. To remember the exact circumstances under which you knew that he or she was The One
69. To have a record of your mistakes and the factors leading up to them so that you can avoid making them again
70. To help you make better use of your time
71. To recall friends with whom you have lost touch
72. To have a place to write down all that good advice your grandma gave you
73. Because you had a wonderful day and want to preserve the happiness that came along with it
74. Because you had an extrordinarily crappy day and you would rather not bring anyone else down by telling them about it
75. To remember just what you were thinking when you chose that hideous shade of green for the living room
76. Because your children are too young to write and they might enjoy looking back on their carefree years
77. To ease into being more creative and more artistic in your everyday life
78. To have at least one place where the truth is whole and nothing but
79. To help you accept yourself and all of your splendid imperfections
80. To help you make peace with your body
81. To help you improve your handwriting
82. To use as a gallery of your own art
83. To inspire yourself to be a better person
84. Because keeping a journal is cheaper than therapy
85. Because your days are unscheduled, varied, and slightly chaotic and you need a ritual to provide some order
86. Because your life is just as or even more interesting than Friends
87. Because it is one hobby that does not require an extensive list of expensive supplies
88. To feel connected to the other people, places, and things in this world
89. To train yourself to be awake and pay attention
90. To express your love of the natural world
91. Because life experiences are easier and cheaper to collect than Beanie Babies (and they take up less space, too)
92. To relive your glory days
93. To speculate about the future
94. To help yourself see the silver lining
95. To help you transform an event that was most decidely not funny at the time
96. To remind yourself of everything you have to live for
97. To have a place to write down the questions that drive you
98. To keep track of everything you need to do
99. To help develop your eye
100. To uncover your passions
101. Because everyone else is doing it!