How to create an online diary

An online diary is just a diary you can access from anywhere. No special notebook to carry, no worrying about losing it. Pick a platform, set it up, and start writing.

Pick something simple

Don't overthink the platform. OhDiary, Penzu, Day One – they all work. What matters: Is it private? Can you access it from your phone? Does it feel easy to use? If yes to all three, you're good.

One thing to check: encryption. You're going to write things you don't want leaked. Make sure the platform takes security seriously.

Set it up in two minutes

Create an account. Turn on password protection or Face ID. Put the app on your home screen so you actually see it. Done.

Don't spend an hour customizing templates and tags before you've written a single entry. You can organize later.

Write something today

Not tomorrow. Today. Even if it's just "Started this diary. Not sure what to write yet." The first entry breaks the blank page barrier.

Make it a habit (the actual hard part)

Most people who start diaries don't keep them. The difference isn't motivation – it's friction. Same time every day helps. Right before bed works for most people. Set a reminder if you need to.

And keep it short. Three sentences is fine. The goal is showing up, not writing essays.

Back it up

Whatever platform you use, make sure your entries are backed up somewhere. Cloud storage, exports, whatever. Years of entries are worth protecting.