Technical Writing as Journaling
A friend recently shared this article from The Washington Post with me, and it got me thinking. In case you didn't open the link: the piece tells the story of Evie Riski, a centenarian from North Dakota, USA, who has kept a journal for nearly a century. Her diaries are a treasure trove of memories, lessons, and reflections - a living archive of a long life. As someone who writes primarily and professionally about technical topics, I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between journaling and technical writing. Both are acts of preservation, ways to keep knowledge and experiences alive long after the moment has passed.
The Importance of Archiving
At its core, technical writing is about creating a record. Whether it’s a user manual, a troubleshooting guide, or a set of instructions, the goal is to document processes and knowledge in a way that others can access and understand. Similarly, journaling is a personal form of archiving. It captures thoughts, emotions, and experiences, creating a roadmap of one’s inner and outer life.
The woman in the article didn’t just write for herself; she created a historical artifact. Her journals are a testament to the power of documenting life as it happens. In the same way, technical documentation serves as a snapshot of a product, system, or process at a specific point in time. Both forms of writing ensure that knowledge isn’t lost - whether it’s the steps to fix a broken appliance or the story of a first job.
Keeping Learnings and Memories Fresh
One of the most striking aspects of the article was how the centenarian’s journals helped her recall details from decades ago. Writing things down not only preserves them but also reinforces them in our minds. This is true for technical writing as well. When you document a process, you’re forced to think through each step carefully, which deepens your understanding of the subject.
Journaling, too, can be a tool for reflection and learning. By revisiting past entries, you can see how far you’ve come, what you’ve learned, and how your perspective has changed. It’s a way to keep your memories - and your growth - fresh and real.
The Pain and the Payoff
I’ve never kept a journal. The idea of sitting down to write about my day or my feelings has always felt a bit daunting, even painful. There’s something vulnerable about putting your thoughts on paper, especially if they’re raw or unresolved. But reading about this woman's journals reminded me that the payoff is worth the effort.
Technical writing, too, can be a grind. It’s not always glamorous to spend hours crafting a set of instructions. But the end result - a clear, useful resource that helps others - is incredibly rewarding. Both journaling and technical writing require a certain level of discipline and commitment, but they leave behind something meaningful and useful.
Final Thoughts
Evie Riski's journals are a reminder that writing, in any form, is an act of preservation. Whether you’re documenting a life or a process, you’re creating something that will outlast the moment. And while I may never become a dedicated journaler, I can appreciate the value of keeping a record—both for myself and for others.
I may not have the habit of writing about my own life, but through technical writing, I’ve come to appreciate the value of capturing things before they slip away. Maybe journaling and documentation aren’t so different after all—both honor our experience by making it shareable, revisitable, and ultimately, meaningful.
So, whether you’re jotting down your thoughts in a diary or drafting a technical manual, remember: you’re not just writing. You’re archiving, learning, and creating something that might one day be a gift to someone else—or even to your future self.