Diaries are out, journals are in. But…what’s the difference? This quick fact-checking post will, once and for all, clarify exactly what a journal is and who they’re for.

• Who are they for? Traditionally, diaries are a “girl thing” that meant gossip and deep dark secrets. Journals, on the other hand, are kept by men and women of all ages and they are a fantastic self-led tool to help a person work through problems, stay on track with their personal goals, and grow as a human being.

• What do they do? Journals in themselves don’t do anything if the journalist doesn’t pick it up regularly and write in it. They aren’t magical, but they can be made into something very meaningful if the person makes entries regularly about topics that matter to them.

• Who can read them? The great thing about journals is that they are uncensored and very personal. This means the journalist might choose to keep theirs locked away from everyone, but they might also be very open and willing to share certain entries on occasion. It’s entirely up to you!

• What do I write about? There are no rules as to what can go into a journal. Some people prefer sticking to one general theme while others just like the writing in itself. The latter might write about anything, one day coming up with a silly short story while, the next day, reflecting on a serious event of their past. Journals can be as versatile and adaptive as needed.

• Why should I keep one? Keeping a journal doesn’t have to be about logging your day-to-day life, it can be about anything you want/need it to be. Maybe you need something to tell your troubles to–journals are a great way to vent and overcome stress. Or, maybe you just want something to keep you from boredom. Journals can be a very small or a very big part of your life, it’s up to you.

• How do I keep one? You could keep a virtual journal via an app or website, but most people agree that a paper journal holds more meaning. Even if you don’t have the best penmanship, there’s something about writing by hand that’s more personal than clicking on keys.

• How often do I need to write? You could write as little or as much as you want, but generally, you should aim for a daily entry. Even just spending 12 minutes each morning or night writing in your journal can begin contributing a lot to your self growth and reflection.

• How can I use one to grow? If you want to use your journal to grow as an individual, you’ll want to find some meaningful prompts. You might like this article about Journaling Topics to Discover Yourself to get started.

• How often do I need to look at it? You might wish to flip back through your journal regularly, or you might just want to look back occasionally to see where time has taken you. It depends on your journaling habits and how you’re using your journal.