[nicbou]

It's both a record and a tool for thought.

The "what I did today", or "done list" is a good way to remember what you were up to, and to assess your own progress. It can be used to justify a promotion, or to have a look at your past self. They're the most satisfying to re-read.

The "how I feel about things" kind is more of a debugging tool, to process your thoughts and understand your feelings. They're a good way to structure your thoughts.

It's also good to keep a protocol, because it's hard to track things that happen over a longer period, like the synptoms of a sickness or the transgressions of a loud neighbor.

My travel journals ended up being far more interesting than my photo albums. They tell much more interesting stories rich with anecdotes.

I personally love mixing journal entries with to-do lists, notes, sketches and doodles. It paints a richer picture of my life at a point in time. I can see what I'm working on, my design process, and the influence of various events in my life.