I love the comments you have on this so far. I work on a number of projects centred around men and journalling comes up regularly: often the men who swear by it and then those that immediately reject it due to stereotypes of masculinity (academics who work in this space tend to have this stereotype too which isn't helpful). If you're willing to try it, but very new to it, I'm sure everyone here would have some great advice, and it can also help to start with something that prompts you. This one is specifically made for guys and I've seen it used really well before people go free-range with their journalling and writing (plenty of womxn use it too to be fair!) : mindjournals.com
Odd question: but wonder if it's been asked before. Me and my wife talk through things pretty well in an open and non-judgmental manner. Do I still need to journal, or are the questions based around opening feelings and "communicating to oneself"?
I love this question and your relationship with your wife sounds really healthy for this - sincere congrats, it takes work! I don't think you need to journal by any means, and honestly for some people it sticks for years, for some just a month gives so much learning to yourself, and others hate it. It's fine if you try!
When you freewheel you can journal about whatever but in the prompts based version (and like the MindJournal which has a lot of structure) it will be more about questions for yourself, your life, your thoughts. I think one of the big things is emotional identification and working them out. This is a learning many people need to go on but in my work we notice it tends to affect men more generally - being able to identify emotions beyond a few common ones. I remember one great interview and the guy told me I listened to my friend and he thought he was really angry, and it occurred to me it was actually grief. He wasn't angry, he was grieving but he didn't realize. In sessions sometimes I'll ask how would you identify the difference between anger and frustration, for example (it's hard, most people can't initially!). I think journalling can help a lot with this and then in general your state of mind, reviewing positions or thoughts, and improving life if you feel you need it.
Matthew McConnaughey released a journal too off the back of his book and this one is less structured but it still provides prompts. You can go wild a bit more - I did it myself to test out it for others and quite liked it. I think it's good if you can team it up with a nice moment for yourself (i.e. evening drink and fifteen minutes when you feel like it).
I love the comments you have on this so far. I work on a number of projects centred around men and journalling comes up regularly: often the men who swear by it and then those that immediately reject it due to stereotypes of masculinity (academics who work in this space tend to have this stereotype too which isn't helpful). If you're willing to try it, but very new to it, I'm sure everyone here would have some great advice, and it can also help to start with something that prompts you. This one is specifically made for guys and I've seen it used really well before people go free-range with their journalling and writing (plenty of womxn use it too to be fair!) : mindjournals.com
Odd question: but wonder if it's been asked before. Me and my wife talk through things pretty well in an open and non-judgmental manner. Do I still need to journal, or are the questions based around opening feelings and "communicating to oneself"?
I love this question and your relationship with your wife sounds really healthy for this - sincere congrats, it takes work! I don't think you need to journal by any means, and honestly for some people it sticks for years, for some just a month gives so much learning to yourself, and others hate it. It's fine if you try!
When you freewheel you can journal about whatever but in the prompts based version (and like the MindJournal which has a lot of structure) it will be more about questions for yourself, your life, your thoughts. I think one of the big things is emotional identification and working them out. This is a learning many people need to go on but in my work we notice it tends to affect men more generally - being able to identify emotions beyond a few common ones. I remember one great interview and the guy told me I listened to my friend and he thought he was really angry, and it occurred to me it was actually grief. He wasn't angry, he was grieving but he didn't realize. In sessions sometimes I'll ask how would you identify the difference between anger and frustration, for example (it's hard, most people can't initially!). I think journalling can help a lot with this and then in general your state of mind, reviewing positions or thoughts, and improving life if you feel you need it.
Matthew McConnaughey released a journal too off the back of his book and this one is less structured but it still provides prompts. You can go wild a bit more - I did it myself to test out it for others and quite liked it. I think it's good if you can team it up with a nice moment for yourself (i.e. evening drink and fifteen minutes when you feel like it).
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