According to several academic writing and research studies, an independent research firm found that people, who wrote, as a form of therapy, coped with their conditions better than those who did not write about their feelings. Perhaps this is nothing out of the ordinary, as people have been writing in journals since the Stone Age, but it is interesting how the trend has transformed across several media. Whether it was painting symbols on a cave, using a feather and piece of wool, writing on a traditional notebook, or typing away one’s emotions on the computer.

Contrary to public knowledge, writing is a form of emotional therapy, in addition to school assignment, profession, or “part of life.” While some people love – and hate – writing, it provides an avenue of relief for those who cannot or do not express their emotions. Holding feelings of guilt and remorse often have deadly side effects, but when patients can write down their feelings, it is a huge relief for them and their psychiatrists. Writing, while a chore for some, provides a means of expression for feelings often kept in great secrecy from others.

Keeping a diary, in the age of Blogger and Word Press, often has a different meaning. Surprisingly though, people still keep traditional journals because they are much more secure. Even writing in Word on your computer exposes the information to anyone who wants to hack into your system, which these days is not that hard to accomplish. Public diaries exist, but often do not include these intimate feelings and expressions that are key for dealing with one’s emotions.

Paper diaries are not going anywhere, because societies are increasingly skeptical of storing information on the computer. Fear of security breaches and confidentiality scares most average people from typing rather than using pen and paper. Until their minds are at ease, it is doubtful they will ever be able to write about the same information using the computer. Virtual diaries are popular for people who use it as a form of communication or updating, rather than emotional therapy.