A lot of people think that a diary and a journal are the same thing. While they can be used interchangeably in some contexts, they are actually two different things. A diary is a book used to explore ideas that take shape, while a journal is often used for creative purposes and is ideal for jotting down notes on trips, ideas, thoughts, dreams, goals, etc. For many people, one of the most surprising things about a new practice of keeping a journal is the residual feelings of relief and calm that come not only from taking thoughts out of the mind and placing them on a screen or paper, but from seeing those thoughts as real and tangible things that one can sit with.
Journals can be of any type, including academic journals, daily journals such as journals, public journals and business journals. A diary is usually more hazy and informal than a journal. It's a place to jot down ideas, objectives, random thoughts, etc. A diary is an explicitly personal documentation of several subjects, while a journal is more about a singular topic intended for a wider audience.
In short, the main difference between journaling and diary-keeping is that a diary is a personal record in which you can write your thoughts, observations and experiences, while a journal is a book in which you write down important things to keep track of them. A newspaper can also be a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular topic or professional activity.
