You both can be as creative with your journal as you want,” Cook-McKay says.Ģ. “Journaling is known to help organize your thoughts and expressions better so there is no need to stick to one format. If it’s a couple’s journal, have your spouse do the same exercise, but don’t feel the need to follow identical formats. Marriage Journal Promptīegin by writing a love letter, a list of goals you want to achieve with your spouse in your marriage, or what you like about your spouse. This type of journal can be a helpful tool for couples who want to improve communication, but it can be used for other goals, too.ĭo you want to get to know each other better? Find a more productive way to communicate? Understand each other's personalities? Define your goals before starting the journal and be sure you and your spouse are on the same page, Cook-McKay says. The other option is a couple’s marriage journal, where you and your spouse share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns with one another. “Use it as a way to self-explore what you feel about your spouse or marriage without judgment,” says Lauren Cook-McKay, Manchester, Connecticut–based director of marketing and content for Divorce Answers, an online resource for couples contemplating a divorce. Like other types of journals, a solo marriage journal is a private space for your eyes only. You may choose to keep a solo marriage journal. Journaling can help new couples navigate building a partnership or longtime couples resolve conflict. It Can Help Strengthen Marriage Ties, Whether You're Struggling or Not Here, experts offer journaling exercises for specific scenarios. Whether you’ve never journaled before, or you’re a lifelong reflective writer, putting your thoughts on paper in strategic ways may help you cope with some of life’s challenging changes and milestones. In fact, adults with anxiety and other medical conditions who kept a journal saw greater improvements in well-being than their non-journaling counterparts, according to a study published October–December 2018 in JMIR Mental Health. Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences may not fix every concern, but it can be an effective tool for managing the anxiety that comes from major life changes. It’s now more important than ever to build practices to decompress and destress, journaling among them. adults are only increasing, according to findings from a 2022 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. It’s no secret that many of us are stressed.