TL;DR
A WIRED contributor reflects on a decade of digital journaling and says she wishes she'd begun earlier. The piece argues that keeping a daily digital diary requires less effort than many people expect and can support reflection and personal growth.
What happened
On Dec. 30, 2025, WIRED published a how-to piece by Jill Duffy that draws on her 10 years of experience keeping a digital diary. Duffy says her only regret after a decade of journaling is not starting sooner. The article frames a daily diary as an accessible habit that many find difficult in theory but easier in practice than they assume. While the headline promises practical tips, the broader point emphasized is that maintaining a digital journal can become a meaningful tool for self-reflection and personal development. The story appears in WIRED’s Gear section and is tagged across topics including how-to, tips, apps, creative writing, and mental health. The page also includes standard site elements such as a subscription prompt and an author bio noting Duffy’s longstanding coverage of technology, productivity, and work culture.
Why it matters
- Personal archives: A digital diary can serve as an ongoing record of experiences and thoughts that people can review later.
- Mental health and reflection: The piece links journaling with opportunities for reflection and personal growth.
- Low barrier to entry: The author emphasizes that keeping a diary often takes less effort than people expect, lowering the hurdle to start.
- Long-term value: The author’s regret about not starting sooner suggests cumulative benefits over time.
Key facts
- Article title: 'Tips for Keeping a Digital Diary and Why You Should'.
- Author: Jill Duffy, a writer who covers work culture, technology, and productivity.
- Published: December 30, 2025, in WIRED’s Gear section.
- The author has kept a journal for 10 years and says her main regret is not beginning earlier.
- The piece argues that daily journaling doesn’t come easily to most but requires less effort than many assume.
- Tags associated with the article include how-to, tips, apps, creative writing, and mental health.
- The article page includes WIRED’s subscription prompts and an author bio; comments were not present on the page snapshot provided.
What to watch next
- Specific app recommendations or step-by-step routines: not confirmed in the source
- Guidance on privacy, encryption, or data storage for digital journals: not confirmed in the source
- Evidence or research quantifying mental-health benefits from journaling: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Digital diary: A record of personal thoughts, events, or reflections stored in digital form, such as in an app, document, or cloud service.
- Journaling: The practice of regularly writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences to track personal history or process emotions.
- Reflection: The act of thoughtfully considering one’s experiences and behaviors to gain insight or learn from them.
- Paywall: A website feature that restricts access to content unless the reader has a paid subscription.
Reader FAQ
Does the article say journaling is worth the effort?
Yes. The author reports that a decade of journaling was valuable and that she regrets not starting sooner; she frames journaling as a route to reflection and growth.
Is keeping a digital diary difficult, according to the piece?
The article says keeping a daily diary doesn't come easily to most people but often takes less effort than they imagine.
What apps or tools does the author recommend?
not confirmed in the source
Does the piece cite scientific studies on journaling benefits?
not confirmed in the source
JILL DUFFY GEAR DEC 30, 2025 6:00 AM Tips for Keeping a Digital Diary and Why You Should After 10 years of journaling, my only regret is not starting sooner….
Sources
- Tips for Keeping a Digital Diary and Why You Should
- How to Create a Multimedia Digital Journal of Your Life
- What Makes a Digital Diary 'Stick' Long-Term? | by Ann P.
- How to start keeping a diary
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