Päevik

Päevik is a diary or journal in the Estonian language, a personal record kept to document daily events, experiences, thoughts, and reflections. It can function as a memory aid, a tool for self-analysis, a creative exercise, or a historical source. Entries are typically dated and written in the first person, though formats vary.

The word päevik comes from päev, meaning day, with the suffix -ik, literally a day-book. Journaling has ancient and cross-cultural roots, and in Estonia diaries have developed alongside increasing literacy and print culture. Over time they have taken many forms, from private notebooks to more formal logbooks or published journals.

Forms and formats include personal diaries, travel diaries, scientific or lab diaries, and field or project notebooks. In the digital era, diaries often exist as blogs, online journals, or specialized applications. Privacy considerations influence how openly a diary is kept or shared, with some entries kept private and others published in part or in full.

Uses and significance: diaries provide access to daily life, personal perspectives, and social history. They are studied by researchers and used by writers for inspiration, and they can support memory, goal setting, and emotional processing. The practice ranges from intimate, private records to publicly accessible narratives.

See also: diary, logbook, journal, journaling, blog.