Any recommendations for books on journaling?

Ok_Tea30 · 2026-01-26T07:33:01+00:00

One thing that helped me was taking a course aimed at men and dads going through high conflict separation or divorce. It focuses on protecting your relationship with your kids, your finances, and your sanity, with practical awareness and strategy. It’s not therapy or legal advice, more about spotting common traps and staying grounded when things get messy.

Tonyalarm · 2026-01-24T02:14:28+00:00

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad, Ongoingness by Sarah Manguso, and The Mindful Way Through Depression. They guide emotional processing, reflection, and healing through journaling.

LimJayee · 2026-01-23T20:19:30+00:00

Is there a book that SHE can read to maybe understand my point of view?

ebmattman69 · 2026-01-23T15:13:31+00:00

Not journaling but what helped me was reading Brene Brown “imperfect”. Helped unlock the brain fog I’d been living with for probably my entire life. From there journaling was just jotting down thoughts and maybe exploring meaning/patterns if I saw any, and things I wanted to talk to my therapist about. Always have two different color pens for journaling and for the notes/addendums.

Biggest obstacle for me was just starting. Write anything and eventually the words/ideas start to flow (sounds corny but true)

JoeyJoeJoeJuniorShab · 2026-01-23T14:57:16+00:00

I just came across this dude this week: https://www.badasscounseling.com/podcast. He's a big proponent of journaling. Maybe it helps, maybe it won't but it's given me the kick in the butt to make the effort to journal daily.

Other than that, this is how I do it. I sit with my book+pen and sit down with the intention to write. Just opening the book with the pen and the last place I left off is the first step. I then start with the date and the time you're writing so at least I've gotten some ink on page. Then I start with bullets and as I'm making my bullet-point list of thoughts, I expand as I go.

Slept well last night; no alcohol or weed before bed. Read a book in bed after kids went to bed and feel rested.
Spoke to kids about divorce and asked how they were doing.
- Kid A said they're feeling ok
- Kid B made a comment about me making dinner takes away from one-on-one time

And that might be it. Or maybe I expand on that last line and explore how that makes me feel and continue writing. Each line is like it's own writing prompt for me to expand. Sometimes I challenge what I've written, other times I might realise that changes need to be made on my part.

Hope some of this helps.

curtdogg47 · 2026-01-23T14:26:02+00:00

I follow this sort of formula with my journal.

I right my thoughts and whatever it is I am feeling. Sort just get everything out of my head.
Second part is I read back over everything and then start writing what I feel is being revealed to me from my thoughts. Things I am seeing about myself, the situation I am in or maybe things I want to work on.
Third part, What is a life lesson I am seeing or feel is being revealed from my journal entry.

I use an app called grid diary which has some great built in journal templates or you can create your own it’s like $30 for a year.

1millionBURNINGsuns · 2026-01-23T13:54:31+00:00

Make spur of the moment notes about what you’d like to talk to your therapist about in the future. On your phone. As the thoughts come up. Doesn’t have to be an occasion or a planned thing. Keep adding to the document and make notes in ways that make sense to you. Could be a couple bullet points or paragraphs.

The most important helpful part is putting them down when you have them. You’ll have your phone. Lock it or put it on Face ID etc.

upvotersfortruth · 2026-01-23T12:32:37+00:00

Is there a good guide specifically for using journaling to process divorce or coping with divorce?

I don’t know of one. Definitely include your thoughts and feelings - I rarely used my for logging the events of the days, except for the stuff she was doing - which I kept in a separate journal in case it ever became relevant and I needed to use it for evidence.

The whole process is very taxing due to all the uncetainy, conflict, stress, and stuff you’ve never done before. My (now ex) girlfriend gifted me a subscription to Headspace - which was amazing. The modules start you out with very short guided meditations and eventually I got to like 10 minutes - mainly the exercises of letting feelings and emotions flow by you and observing them rather than internalizing them and fixating on them was the most helpful.

GoldBunch7294 · 2026-01-26T05:26:58+00:00

Journaling helped me a lot while waiting for a therapist too. Also, Just wanted to share a course I’ve been taking—it covers stuff like failed marriages, kids, mental health, and finances. Helped me a lot, honestly.

Title	Any recommendations for books on journaling?
Author	JonahFeb
Upvotes	5
Comments	15
Date	January 23, 2026 12:16 PM UTC (6 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1qkp9ht/any_recommendations_for_books_on_journaling/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/any-recommendations-for-books-on-journaling.1571789 https://theredarchive.com/post/1571789

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