Wife got me into journaling and I actually hate it less than I thought

Dec 11 min read

She basically forced me to try it tbh. Got me this cheap notebook and just said "write down what's in your head for 5 minutes before bed." I was resistant because it felt kinda woo-woo but ngl it's actually kind of nice? Like there's stuff I can't really talk to anyone about but putting it on paper makes it feel less chaotic in my brain. Some nights I write like three sentences, some nights I fill two pages. Not a miracle cure or anything but it's something.

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Comments(10)

IIsaac T.Regular1d ago

The fact that you can write stuff down that you wouldn't say is actually huge though. Like things that are bothering you about being a parent or marriage stuff that feels too heavy to voice? Paper is safer.

NNeil C.New Dad1d ago

The stuff you can't talk to anyone about thing is so real. Journaling just gives you permission to think it without judgment

WWill R.Regular12h ago

Journaling is weirdly helpful once you get past the 'this is dumb' phase. Your wife was right to push you into it

CCarl L.Regular1d ago

5 minutes before bed is perfect length too. Not a commitment, just enough to get stuff out. Did you notice it actually helping with sleep?

WWade G.Regularjust now

I was exactly like you - thought it was total woo. Now I do it every night. Your wife is a genius

PPhil B.Regular9h ago

It's basically free therapy. No judgment, no appointments, just 5 minutes to dump your brain. Way better than I expected

WWade G.Regular5h ago

Did it change anything about how you actually feel or is it more just... you get to vent and then move on? Curious if it's helpful or just like... venting into a void.

DDave K.Regularjust now

Same, my wife got me doing this and I was like 'this is the most woo thing ever' but honestly? It's lowkey therapeutic. Especially for stuff you can't really say out loud to anyone.

GGreg M.Regular1d ago

The cheap notebook thing is real too. Expensive fancy journals stress me out. Spiral notebook from the grocery store? I'll actually write in that.

CCarl D.Regularjust now

5 minutes before bed is smart too because your brain is already tired so you can't overthink it. You just dump stuff out and go to sleep. I tried journaling in the morning and it was way more performative.