Journaling

[Trying123]

I’m reading Stop Walking on Eggshells and came across the mention of journaling to find a pattern of behavior. I’m curious if anyone here does that and what it looks like.

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RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM SOLVING This is a high level discussion board for solving ongoing, day-to-day relationship conflicts. Members are welcomed to express frustration but must seek constructive solutions to problems. This is not a place for relationship "stay" or "leave" discussions. Please read the specific guidelines for this group.

[Smedley Butler]

yes, i absolutely journal and chronicle my life and relationship with my wife.  it's great for not only identifying patterns, which it does, but also for just venting some rage and frustration.  i've written in various styles - sometimes i just straight up journal an incident or a fight in very direct, first person prose with simply the facts as I remember them.  sometimes i use a lot of metaphors and similes to express how i'm feeling, and really go down a rabbit hole with describing my emotions.  other times i write "tales" of a place that exists in my mind called "the borderlands" where my wife is the mad queen who rules all, but i write these in third person. 

i find all of these to be very therapeutic.  maybe i'll publish a book someday (i'm sure that would be great for my marriage, haha).

[tina7868]

I’m reading Stop Walking on Eggshells and came across the mention of journaling to find a pattern of behavior. I’m curious if anyone here does that and what it looks like.

For me, journaling has been crucial in gaining perspective, and caring for myself. I would say the pattern in behaviour that it has allowed me to understand is my own (I gained more perspective on his behaviour by posting here, talking to friends, and in therapy). I sometimes even make diagrams!