The hardest part of keeping a diary isn't finding time or remembering to write — it's starting. That blank page can feel paralyzing. What should you say? How do you begin? Is there a "right" way to open a diary entry?
The good news: there's no wrong way. But if you're looking for some reliable starting points, these 10 opening techniques will help you get words flowing every time.
Why the First Line Matters (And Why It Doesn't)
Let's address the paradox: the first line of your diary entry matters because it gets you started. Once you've written something — anything — the rest flows more easily. But it also doesn't matter in the grand scheme because your diary is private, no one's grading it, and you can always cross it out.
The goal isn't to write a brilliant opening. The goal is to break the ice with yourself. These techniques are simply ice-breakers — ways to get past the blank page and into the flow of writing.
10 Opening Lines That Always Work
1. The Classic: "Dear Diary..."
There's a reason this opening has endured for centuries. "Dear Diary" does several things at once:
- Creates an intimate, conversational tone
- Establishes your diary as a trusted confidant
- Provides a simple, frictionless starting point
- Sets the expectation that what follows is personal
Examples:
- "Dear Diary, today was one of those days..."
- "Dear Diary, I need to get something off my chest."
- "Dear Diary, you won't believe what happened."
Some people find "Dear Diary" too formal or old-fashioned. If that's you, try variations: "Hey," "So," "Well," or just dive straight in without a greeting.
2. The Feeling Check: "Right now I feel..."
This opening cuts straight to the emotional core. It's particularly useful when you're journaling for mental health or emotional processing.
Examples:
- "Right now I feel overwhelmed, and I'm not entirely sure why."
- "Right now I feel... actually, I'm not sure. Let me figure this out."
- "Right now I feel lighter than I have in weeks."
The power of this opener is that it immediately connects you to your internal state. You're not reporting events — you're checking in with yourself. This is the foundation of therapeutic journaling.
3. The Time Stamp: "It's [time] and..."
Grounding your entry in a specific moment creates vivid, immersive writing you'll appreciate when you look back.
Examples:
- "It's 11pm and I can't sleep because my mind won't stop racing."
- "It's 6am, I'm on my second coffee, and the house is finally quiet."
- "It's a Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting in the park, watching people walk by."
This technique also works with locations: "I'm sitting at my desk..." or "I'm on the train home..." The specificity makes entries more memorable.
4. The Highlight: "The best/worst/weirdest thing today..."
Start with the most significant moment. This is especially useful when you're short on time or energy — it gets you to the good stuff immediately.
Examples:
- "The best thing today was the text from Maria saying she got the job."
- "The worst thing today was that meeting. Let me explain..."
- "The weirdest thing happened on my way to work."
Variations: "The thing I can't stop thinking about..." or "Something happened today that I need to process..."
5. The Gratitude Opener: "I'm grateful for..."
Starting with gratitude sets a positive frame for your entry, even if you go on to discuss challenges. Research shows gratitude practices improve mood and wellbeing.
Examples:
- "I'm grateful for the extra hour of sleep I got this morning."
- "Three things I'm grateful for today: my morning coffee, the call with Dad, and that the deadline got extended."
- "I'm grateful for small wins today — I actually finished something on my list."
This opener works well as a daily ritual. Even on hard days, finding something — however small — to appreciate shifts your perspective.
6. The Confession: "I haven't told anyone this, but..."
Your diary is the one place you can be completely honest. This opener gives you permission to write what you've been holding back.
Examples:
- "I haven't told anyone this, but I've been thinking about quitting."
- "I haven't admitted this even to myself, but I'm scared."
- "Something I've been avoiding thinking about..."
This is powerful for processing difficult emotions or decisions you haven't fully confronted. The privacy of your diary creates safety for honesty.
7. The Stream of Consciousness: Just Start
Sometimes the best opener is no opener at all. Just start writing whatever comes to mind, even if it's "I don't know what to write."
Examples:
- "I don't know what to write but I'm going to write anyway. My mind feels foggy today..."
- "Okay, sitting down to write. What's in my head? Work stuff mostly..."
- "Writing writing writing. Why is this so hard today? Maybe because..."
This technique comes from "morning pages," a practice where you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness first thing in the morning. The rule: don't stop writing. Whatever comes out, let it come.
8. The Question: "What if..." or "Why do I..."
Starting with a question turns your diary entry into an exploration. You're not just recording — you're investigating.
Examples:
- "Why do I always feel anxious before family gatherings?"
- "What if I actually said no for once?"
- "Why did that comment bother me so much?"
Questions are particularly useful for self-discovery and problem-solving. They invite you to think deeper rather than just report.
9. The Letter: "Dear [Person]..."
Sometimes you need to process your feelings about someone. Writing them a letter you'll never send can be incredibly cathartic.
Examples:
- "Dear Mom, there's so much I wish I could say to you..."
- "Dear Younger Me, I want you to know..."
- "Dear Future Me, by the time you read this..."
This technique works for current relationships, past relationships, people who've passed away, and even your future or past self. It creates space for honest communication without consequences.
10. The Prompt Response
Use a journaling prompt from a list or app. This takes all the pressure off — someone else has already done the work of figuring out what to write about.
Examples of prompts:
- "What's something I accomplished recently that I haven't celebrated?"
- "Describe a moment today when I felt at peace."
- "What would I do if I knew I couldn't fail?"
- "What's a belief I've changed over the past year?"
Prompts are especially helpful when you're stuck or want to explore something different than your usual topics. Many diary apps, including Hello Diary, offer built-in prompts to inspire your entries.
Tips for Getting Past the Blank Page
Lower Your Standards
Your diary entry doesn't need to be interesting, profound, or well-written. It just needs to exist. Give yourself permission to write boring, messy, incomplete thoughts. The point is the practice, not the product.
Time-Box It
Set a timer for 5 minutes. You can write anything for 5 minutes. This creates urgency that bypasses perfectionism and procrastination.
Use Voice
If staring at a blank page feels impossible, try speaking your entry. Voice journaling (which apps like Hello Diary support) removes the friction of writing entirely. Just talk. The app transcribes. Done.
Have a Go-To Opener
Pick one opener from this list and make it your default. When in doubt, use that one. You can always switch later, but having a default removes decision fatigue.
Remember: No One Is Watching
Your diary is private. There's no audience, no judgment, no grade. Write the first thing that comes to mind, even if it's "I'm tired and don't want to do this." That counts. That's a start.
What to Write After the Opening
Once you've broken the ice with your opening line, here are directions you might take:
- What happened: Describe events, conversations, experiences
- How you feel: Explore emotions in detail
- Why it matters: Connect events to bigger themes in your life
- What you're thinking: Opinions, ideas, reflections
- What you want: Goals, wishes, hopes
- What you're learning: Insights, realizations, growth
There's no required structure. Follow wherever your mind goes. The opener is just the launch pad.
Sample Diary Entries Using These Openers
Example 1: The Feeling Check
"Right now I feel anxious, and I think I know why. Tomorrow's the presentation, and even though I've prepared, I keep imagining everything going wrong. My chest feels tight. I know logically that the worst case scenario isn't that bad — even if I mess up, life goes on. But my body hasn't gotten that memo. Maybe I'll do some breathing exercises before bed. Writing this down actually helps a little. At least I've named what's happening."
Example 2: The Highlight
"The best thing today was that moment after the meeting when Sarah said 'that was really helpful.' Such a small thing, but I've been feeling invisible at work lately, like nothing I do matters. That comment reminded me that it does. I need to hold onto moments like that."
Example 3: The Confession
"I haven't told anyone this, but I've been thinking about not going to the wedding. I know I RSVPed yes, and I know it would hurt feelings, but the thought of being around everyone while trying to pretend I'm fine feels exhausting. Maybe I'm just tired. Maybe I need to be honest with someone about where I'm at instead of just putting on a brave face."
Ready to Start Your First Entry?
The opening line is just the door. Once you walk through it, you're in. Pick one of these 10 techniques, open your diary, and write that first sentence.
The rest will follow.