Journaling for Two

Journaling is a powerful tool that can enhance our lives and support our well-being. It can also add to our relationships at home, work, and play. When we journal we are recording a relative reflection of our feelings and experiences. When we share those with the ones closest to us, we learn more about ourselves and each other.

You can start a journal for just you and your partner to write in, daily or weekly, whatever you both agree to.

Couples Journals -

Keeping a couples journal with your partner can be a fun and interesting way to communicate and discover more about each other. Get a blank book and place it were it is accessible for both of you on a daily basis. Keep a pen with your journal. You can use the same color of pen or each have a different color of pen to use. You can also designate colors of pens for certain feelings, i.e., green = growth, blue = sadness, orange = joy, red = anger - you get the idea. If you are using the different colored pens, write in the front of your journal what you both have decided what each color signifies.

There are 2 ways to use your couples journal. You can each use a side of the book, the left page or the right page, adding the date each time you journal. Or you can journal after each other on the same pages.

You will both need to discuss what you personally and collectively want to accomplish through using your couples journal. Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, what your goals and intentions are, write that in the front of your journal. Keep in mind that what you want to accomplish can change, and if it does change, journal that change to each other.

If there is a specific problem or concern in the relationship, you may want to start journaling there. You can also use a couple's journal to tell each other, daily, how much you love each other and why. You can journal your dreams and hopes for the future, your children, each other, the world. Or combine any of these ideas, along with your own ideas. You have a blank palette, so fill in the space with what is most important for you and your relationship.

You can also add photos, poems, fortune cookie fortunes, even cutouts from magazines to your journal.

If you have lost an important relationship through death or some other change you can journal your thoughts and feelings to this person in the same way. This can be a very powerful way to move through loss, touching those fears and feelings that are still within.

However you decide to use the couple's journaling, be sure to journal the love and the joy, along with the rest of your feelings. One tip - If you are taking time to write to one another, keep clear about what is a fact and what are your feelings.

You can also journal with friends and coworkers using the same ideas.

Copyright 2003 Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved Doreene Clement is the creator of, The 5 Year Journal, a journal where you can journal your life in one book, for 5 years. You can tour the book at http://www.the5yearjournal.com

dkcomni@aol.com 480.423.8095

Feel free to pass this along to your friends. If you want to see my column, About Journaling, to subscribe http://www.the5yearjournal.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Palestinians pray over the bodies of  people killed near a United Nations school Tuesday, during their funeral in the Jebaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country's leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or expand the assault against Hamas. With criticism rising of the operation's spiraling civilian death toll and Gazans increasingly suffering the effects of nonstop airstrikes and shelling, Israel's military said it opened 'humanitarian corridors' to allow aid supplies to reach Palestinians.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.



People looks for jobs in front of computer screens at the California Employment Development Department in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. The country lost nearly 2 million jobs through November and more bad news is expected this week when the government releases data on weekly jobless claims and December unemployment. No matter how bad those numbers are, and economists expect at least another 500,000 jobs were lost last month, the pain is stretching into 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.



President-elect Barack Obama gestures during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, where he introduced Nancy Killefer, right, to the newly created position of chief performance officer. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs — even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.



Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."



Protesters yell during a demonstration against the shooting death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Grant was shot and killed by a police officer after an altercation on a BART train station platform in Oakland on New Year's Day.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer turned violent Wednesday night with windows broken, fires set and train stations closed.



President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill  Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.



In this photo provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation, water rushes past a washed out road near Blewett Pass on U.S. highway 97 in Washington State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Washington State. (AP Photo/Washington State Department of Transportation)AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.



Workers put bulletproof glass on President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.



Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for 'The Dark Knight' at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Holy People's Choice Awards, Batman!



Harvard's Jeremy Lin (4) drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.



Israelis take cover before a rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza lands in Beersheba, after they attended the funeral of Israeli soldier Alex Mashavisky at a cemetery, January 7, 2009. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)Reuters - At least four rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel on Thursday, wounding two people, police and medics said, in an attack likely linked to Israel's offensive against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip.



President-elect Barack Obama listens to a question from the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama will call for quick action on a fiscal stimulus package in a speech on Thursday aimed at reassuring Americans that he is determined to stem the economic crisis.



A share trader reacts while checking share prices in front of the German share price index DAX board at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, December 18, 2008. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.



Senate-designate Roland Burris talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Reid's office on Capitol Hill, January 7, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.



A customer looks at listings on display outside a Brown Harris Stevens offices in New York, June 4, 2008. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)Reuters - It took war, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and the collapse of some of New York's famed investment banks, but Manhattan apartment prices are finally falling.



Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Ali al-Marri, who has been held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, is seen in this undated photograph released to Reuters on January 6, 2008. An early test for President-elect Barack Obama will be the case of suspected al Qaeda 'sleeper' agent Marri, which will force Obama to take a position on his predecessor's claim that anyone the president deems a national security threat can be imprisoned indefinitely without charges in the United States. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.



Bernard Madoff is escorted in a vehicle from Federal Court in New York, January 5, 2009. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.



Israeli soldiers patrol the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Israeli army fired into northern Lebanon on Thursday after rockets were fired at the Jewish state, an army spokeswoman told AFP.(AFP/Mahmoud Zayat)AFP - The Israeli army fired into northern Lebanon on Thursday after rockets were fired at the Jewish state, an army spokeswoman told AFP.



A Palestinian protestor flashes the V for 'victory' sign in front of an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's old city. Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.(AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.




Borne Upon the Wings of Words

How often do you have opportunities every day to exercise your power... Read More

One Woman, One Leg, No Job

What is social acceptance? Why is it so important? What can we... Read More

Taking the Leap of Faith

So often we stop and look at our lives and say silently... Read More

Anamchara - Making Sense of Life

Many successful persons advise you start your day with a list of... Read More

Maintaining Honesty and Integrity

(Excerpted From Cultivating An Unshakable Character)For a leader, honesty and integrity are... Read More

Life Inspiration: 12 Tips for Successful Living

1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to cripple a... Read More

Anam Cara - Losing your Religion

I am sitting before a window of morning light "losing my religion."I... Read More

Product Testing

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24, 2002I suppose... Read More

Problem Solving: The Easy Way To Solve Problems In Life

Life is full of problems.The more you solve them, the more new... Read More

How Do You Do That? Demystifying People With Disabilities

IntroductionNearly all employers and human resource professionals are aware of the Americans... Read More

Tranquility

It's all in the mind- your mind.It's not brought about in an... Read More

Journals You Can Keep

Besides your daily feelings, thoughts, and experiences journal, there are many ideas... Read More

Words Of Wisdom

Carlos' Words of Wisdom1. Today is your day to exceed, so why... Read More

Giving Can Overcome Language Differences

I recently had to take a trip to Germany. It has been... Read More

The Bright Side of Loneliness

Recently a romantic relationship came to an end and I found myself... Read More

The Day I First Believed

I was eight years old, over four decades ago and I remember... Read More

The Art of Letting Go

It has been six months since I left the corporate world ?... Read More

Comfort and Achievement

I'll share with you one of my deepest insights about achievement comfort... Read More

Are You Afraid of Change?

Change, no matter how you cut it, can certainly be a daunting... Read More

Overcoming Fear of Terrorism

This week I did a radical thing. I bought a newspaper.I bought... Read More

Reclaiming Our Resilient Spirit

Our spirits are taking a beating. The daily barrage of bad news,... Read More

Each Moment Is To Be Treasured

Let us grasp and treasure each precious moment of our lives. The... Read More

You Dont Find All Drunks in the Gutter: The Story of a Functional Alcoholic!

Today, August 22, 2005, I am clean and sober for eight years... Read More

?Back to CYA on a Mission?

Six former wards came back to the California Youth Authority (CYA) earlier... Read More

Giving Life Meaning

Have you thought about what you want people to say about you... Read More

For Old Times Sake

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 19, 2002I am... Read More

Brilliant Autumn: Reaping a Bounteous Harvest

"But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let... Read More

If You Were an Angel... What Would You Do?

If you were an Angel what could you do to make a... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 1

I want to share some things with you that I usually don't... Read More

How To Be Secure In An Insecure World

Most of us believe that our happiness and security are dependent upon... Read More

Walking The Walk

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 14, 2003I have... Read More

Innovation Management ? Being Receptive to Inspiration

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More

Living Authentically in a Masked World

Humanity seems to be the only species that never seems pleased with... Read More

A Dream is Just a Dream ... Or is It?

Some people dismiss dreams as nonsense, thought patterns running amuck as we... Read More

Lisas Christmas

Lisa was born into a loving Christian family and went through life... Read More

How To Walk On The Path Of Peace (Part 1)

As there are silent depths in the ocean, which the fiercest storm... Read More

20 Ways To Improve Your Life

People often ask me how they can improve their lives.I always give... Read More

Caring in My Sisters Way: A Lesson On Judgement

Last summer, I had an acute case of bronchitis. I was downright... Read More

When Was the Last Time?

When was the last time you smiled at a stranger?When was the... Read More

No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part II

The quest for the ultimate victory.In part one I shared with you... Read More

Dreams and Desires, Wants and Wishes Journals

Have you ever dreamed of a new house? Have you ever wished... Read More

My Life With Furniture

These days, I find the lines are blurred between school and Real... Read More

Message From An Angel - Is It Yours ?

This is a message from an Angel. Can you relate? Is it... Read More

Musicians Survival was Truly a Miracle: Singer Songwriter Fights for his Life

Every morning when singer-songwriter Michael Alan looks into the mirror and sees... Read More

The Seasons of Life, Part 1 of 5

Life is about constant, predictable patterns of change. For the six thousand... Read More

The Amazing Destructive Power of Tradition

After more than thirty years of studying the Bible I can say... Read More

Improving Your Self Esteem

Often in our society, we are bombarded with the lives of celebrities.... Read More