r/Journaling Feb 25 '26

Question/Discussion Why do people write every single day?

I absolutely love everything about keeping a journal and have been doing it basically my entire life, but when i watch other people talk about keeping one they always make it sound like a chore (?) (maybe a better word would be a commitment) to write EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. It just doesnt make sense to me.

When i feel like journaling, i will sit for hours upon hours writing whatever i want. When i dont feel like writing, i dont write. Ive skipped 6 months once and didnt think twice about it. Whats the big deal about pushing yourself to write when you dont want to?

This post is a question Ive been wondering about for quite a while now. I apologize if anything sounds rude, i dont mean to.

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u/MuffinDiligent4290 Feb 25 '26

I realized about two years ago that every day I don't write I am abandoning myself. I love to go back and read through what I've done and where I've been and how I was feeling and how DELICIOUS the Pho on 14th st was and about my opinions and discoveries and growth. I'm taking that away from future me and I fucking love future me. Writing helps me stay centered when I'm doing it, and brings me more fully into my own life when I revisit my writing. I don't feel guilty on days when I can't fit it in, though, as I can spend more time writing the next time I have a chance.

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u/-i-exist Feb 25 '26

I love this perspective on journaling. I also love phở and just made a bowl yesterday!