Keeping track of your daily activities in diaries should not be boring. It can be much more fun with the vast array of designs available. There are even diaries with locks to make sure no one can sneak a peek! But first, we are going to tell you what you need to know before choosing a diary, and of course, introduce a few great products.
Quick List - Top Diaries
Jacinto & Lirio
Unleash Your Pinoy Pride With a Zipped Multicompartment Travel Diary
Martial Arts and Crafts
Showcase Your Personality with a Unique Cover
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Table of Contents
Nowadays, blogging has become the norm, making the old school diaries “one of a kind." There are a lot of diaries available in the market, and that can be a bit confusing. We will show you here the steps on how to choose the right diary for you. Be sure to read through them to understand the different specifications.
Depending on the diary, there are those with dates on it and those without them. They both have their pros and cons, but it is easier for one to skip on writing if there are no dates, because the owner can adjust the dates however possible. It is important to know which one suits your purpose best.
If you are working or studying, you will need a diary with dates. This is so you can keep track of your meeting or exam schedules, especially if you are a bit forgetful. Dated diaries have a monthly spread, while others have weekly and daily dates per page, while some even have all three.
A monthly view helps you see what is in store each month, so you can prepare accordingly. Through the weekly and daily views, you can see and write in more specific details. Dated diaries should be bought in advance before the new year comes so you will be able to maximize its use.
Those without dates can be used at any time of the year. You will not be limited by the amount of writing you will do, and not worry about the limited space indicated for each date. You can purchase another diary if you have used all the pages up already.
There are some diaries that contain calendar templates without specific dates, so you can instead fill in those. If you want to track your diet, progress records, and goals, then this is the one for you. You can start whenever you want without thinking about the unused dates of a diary.
Diaries are lined differently, like the ruled, which is the most commonly used for wordy entries. Next is the grid and dotted, which you can use for text, graphs, and sketches. The grids and dots serve as guides if you plan to draw in figures, tables, and charts. Last is the blank pages for people who prefer a fully customizable one.
If you are a newbie, a simple ruled one is best for you to practice writing entries and eventually get the hang of it. The grid, dotted, and blank diaries are for those who might want to be more creative in their diary entries.
There are varying sizes of diaries can choose from. It depends on what you will use it for and where you will store it when not in use. A smaller diary that fits your palm is good for people who write short and concise entries per day. It can also fit into most of your bags, so you can take it out and write in it wherever you are.
Bigger diaries may take up space inside your bag and can be a hassle to bring around if you plan to write in your diary outside your house. Some people love writing in their diaries in a coffee shop, and smaller diaries are recommended in that case. Those who are planning to write all the details down at should opt for a bigger one.
For a personal diary, it is perfectly fine to have quirky designs. There are also diaries with blank covers for you to customize if you cannot find a design you want. But for a work diary, you need to tone down a bit with the designs so that when using your diary during meetings, you can match the professional setting.
Think about why you are going to write in a diary. There are diaries that are made specifically for a certain goal or purpose, like a maternity diary to keep track of your pregnancy, a fitness diary, an art diary, and many more.
It is better to have separate diaries for your different goals, but some are also multipurpose if you want an all-in-one diary. Diaries for specific purposes have pre-made templates and categories.
If you are a beginner, you may get one that has more templates to get an idea of what you should write about. If you do not want to be limited on your entries, then get a basic one with more general or fewer templates.
Hardbound provide structure and protection, making it more expensive than softbound covers. It can also prevent the diary from being misshapen when stored. You will have an easier time, though, even while standing up, if ever you need to write something right away before you forget it.
Softbound covers are easier to break in and write in, even if it is new. But you will need a hard surface to place your diary before writing to avoid any mishaps. You should also make sure there are no wet spots that might soil your diary. If you want added protection, then look for a diary with a garter or fastener to keep the pages in place.
Paper thickness is measured in grams per square meter (gsm). The higher the number is, the thicker the paper. For you to have an idea, a regular bond paper is about 70 to 80 gsm. You must know the thickness and material of the paper for you to decide and know which writing instruments are suitable.
For small tip pens and easy drawings, 100gsm will do for you. If you want to use markers and thick pens, you should purchase at least a 180gsm diary so that the paper will not easily tear if you have any erasures. A 300gsm paper is really thick, in which you may even use watercolor or paint.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jacinto & Lirio Zippered Refillable Vegan Leather Fiesta Traveler’s Notebook |Ati-atihan | ![]() | Unleash Your Pinoy Pride With a Zipped Multicompartment Travel Diary | |
2 | Martial Arts and Crafts Hardbound Lined Journal A5 Notebook Fly Me to the Moon Series|Fly Me to the Moon Series | ![]() | Showcase Your Personality with a Unique Cover | |
3 | Veco Idea Notes Personal Size Journal Notebook | ![]() | Compact Diary You Can Bring Anywhere | |
4 | Craft Easy A5 Pattern Journal Notebook (Dotted/Grid) | ![]() | Two Rulings in One Diary | |
5 | Mont Marte Visual Art Diary | ![]() | Art Diary to Track Your Artwork Progress | |
6 | Stradmore Pregnancy Journal | ![]() | Pregnancy Diary for the Mom to Be | |
7 | Vintage Loose Leaf Diary Book | ![]() | Leather Diary With a Vintage Vibe | |
8 | Personal Diary with Lock Creative A5 Student Password Diary | ![]() | Code Lock for Privacy | |
9 | Papemelroti Large Kraft Blank Notebook |Set of 3 | ![]() | Fully Customizable Diary Notebook | |
10 | 365 Journal Blank Lined Notebook | ![]() | 365 Day Journal for Every Day of the Year |
This diary from the local brand Jacinto and Lirio is made from eco-friendly materials like hyacinth and lily. It showcases 'Pinoy Pride' by featuring different Philippine festivals on the covers. Because this has a zipper, you do not need to worry about your things falling out.
It not only serves as a diary but also doubles as a wallet and a pouch for your valuables, which makes it perfect for traveling. When you go on vacation in a distant place, you do not need to keep your eyes off your things as you engross yourself while writing about your learnings on your current travel.
This journal is very affordable, along with stunning cover designs. If you prefer another design, look no further! You can choose from a variety of collections with themes like the Ottoman Empire, 80's Retro, Under the Sea, and so much more!
If you have this diary, you will not face the problem of having a generic-looking one that ends up getting it mixed up with another because its design stands out among the rest. Reach for the moon and stars as you write down your aspirations and ambitions in life!
This diary is ideal for short entries and reminders per day. This can be used for listing down tasks or home works. It has a pocket compartment inside the back for your important notes and even decorative stickers for designing your diary. This can be used for work and school because of its professional and sleek look.
It may be small, but it is hardbound. The pages are dotted for you to use in both text and illustrations. It also has a ribbon bookmark, so you will not have a hard time looking for your last entry. If you write long paragraphs for each diary entry, then you might want a bigger size.
Having a hard time choosing which page ruling you should purchase? Craft Easy has the ideal product for you! This journal has both dotted and grid rulings, so you would not need to choose between the two. You can use and write in this however you like!
This diary can be used from wordy entries to more visual and creative sketches. You can also paste some cut-outs and images if you want to. A major plus of this diary is its affordability. You might just buy two, or three, or even more for different purposes!
This visual art diary has totally blank pages, with thick 110 gsm sheets, so you can use paint and thicker markers for your drawings without worrying about the ink seeping through. It also comes in three sizes of A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in), A5 (5.8 x 8.3 in), and A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in) to choose from.
You can bring this with you along so that you will not wait until you get home to draw whenever you see something you want to draw or a sudden spark of motivation. Organize your artworks into just one diary so you will not lose hours of hard work and for you to see your progress as an artist.
This journal is really helpful, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time. It helps you get real about your journey as a mother since you can write the things you like and least like about being pregnant. There is also a checklist for the essential things you need to have once your baby arrives.
It has a column for you to list down the guesses from relatives and friends on the gender of the baby. There is also a provided page for listing possible baby names. You can also keep track of your food cravings and the food that you should avoid. You can also place your pregnancy progress photos in the spaces provided!
If you want a diary that brings you back to medieval times, then this is for you. Feel like a fairy princess as you write down your goals and dreams in your life. The cover is made of durable leather that can last for years. Perfect for those who want to get the most out of their purchase.
Once you have used up all the pages, you can purchase page refills at any book store or school supplies shop instead of buying another diary. You can even choose the kind of refill that you want to use, from the blank pages to lined pages to blank calendar pages. So many options to choose from to get the best page combination for you!
Get your creative juices ready for this blank notebook! If you do not like any of the designs available online, then you should purchase this blank notebook from the store Papemelroti. It is affordable since you already get 3 notebooks in just a small amount.
You have the free will to design the cover however you like, or even keep it blank if that is how you roll. Papemelroti uses 100% recycled paper, including this one, which makes for a rough texture and brown color of the paper. You can also buy arts and crafts materials from them so you can customize your notebook more.
This diary is perfect for beginner diary writers. One page is allocated per day in a year, which can be limiting to more experienced diary writers who tend to write more. You should buy this diary in advance for you or as a gift for the following year so you can write down entries every day.
The pages are made blank, so you are free to write and doodle however you like. A number of the day is placed at the upper left or right corner but without a specific year, making it convenient. However, it can be used for any year, except for leap years.
When you already have a diary, you would want to have multicolored pens to help organize the things you will be writing about. Here are some of our recommendations on the writing instruments you can use for your diary, whether you are looking for a regular pen or want to get creative with your entries.
No. 1: Jacinto & Lirio|Zippered Refillable Vegan Leather Fiesta Traveler’s Notebook |Ati-atihan
No. 2: Martial Arts and Crafts|Hardbound Lined Journal A5 Notebook Fly Me to the Moon Series|Fly Me to the Moon Series
No. 3: Veco|Idea Notes Personal Size Journal Notebook
No. 4: Craft Easy|A5 Pattern Journal Notebook (Dotted/Grid)
No. 5: Mont Marte|Visual Art Diary
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