Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, welcome
back.
We're kicking things off todaywith something I think a lot of
us can relate to.
You know wanting a relationshipthat's both exciting and strong
.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Absolutely.
That's the dream right.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Totally, and we're
diving into a fascinating
approach today that might justhold some key insights.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
We're talking about
couples journaling and for this
deep dive we're turning to 50powerful journal prompts for
Strengthen your Relationship byLestallion.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Love that we're going
straight to the source with
this one, so this isn't aboutkeeping those separate diaries,
is it?
Speaker 2 (00:32):
No, not at all.
This is about using targetedprompts and they're specifically
designed to get those deeperconversations going between
partners.
You know, really strengthenthat bond.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I can already see how
that would be helpful.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
And what's really
interesting is that you don't
need to be a journaling expertto benefit from this.
It's accessible to everyone,even if you're not someone who
loves to pour their heart out onpaper.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
I was going to say
I'm not sure I'd consider myself
much of a journaler.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Right.
But these prompts sort of actlike a guide.
It helps you ease into thosedeeper conversations, you know,
even if you're not used totalking about your feelings.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
That's a really good
point, but let's be honest, life
gets busy.
Why would couples addjournaling to their already
packed schedules?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I think that's the
beauty of it.
Actually, the benefits thatLestallion highlights really
address those commonrelationship struggles that we
all face at some point.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, take
communication, for example.
We all think we'recommunicating with our partners,
right?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
But how often are we
really going beyond that surface
level?
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Oh, I totally know
what you mean.
It's so easy to get bogged downin the day-to-day.
You know work, chores, errands.
Sometimes it feels like you'rejust ships passing in the night.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Exactly, and that's
where journaling with these
prompts can be a game changer.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Okay, tell me more.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It's like hitting
pause on that daily grind and
really asking yourselves okay,beneath the surface, what are we
each feeling?
What do we need from each otherin this moment?
Speaker 1 (02:03):
So it's less about
managing the day-to-day
logistics and more aboutactually nurturing the
connection.
I like that.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Exactly, and for
couples who really struggle to
express their feelings directly.
You know, maybe one persontends to shut down during
arguments or avoids difficultconversations.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Which, let's be real,
happens in a lot of
relationships.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Oh, absolutely.
Journaling can be a reallypowerful tool in those
situations.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
In what way?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Imagine you're trying
to work through a discrement
but you find it almostimpossible to explain your needs
without getting defensive.
Or maybe the other person justclams up completely.
Been there, right.
Writing those feelings downfirst, on your own time, can
make a world of difference.
It gives you that space toprocess your emotions get clear
(02:48):
about what you want to say.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
It's like taking some
of the pressure off that
in-the-moment interaction,giving both people a chance to
cool down a little bit beforetrying to talk things through.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Exactly, and that
naturally leads us to another
benefit that Lestallionemphasizes better conflict
resolution.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Because you're both
approaching the issue with,
hopefully, a calmer, moreself-aware perspective.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Exactly.
It becomes less about placingblame and more about trying to
find a solution together.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
You're on the same
team, even when things are tough
.
I love that shift.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
And it's not just
about navigating the challenges.
Couples journaling can alsohelp you really tap into the
positive aspects of yourrelationship too.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Oh, how so.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
It can cultivate a
deeper sense of gratitude and
appreciation for one another.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Because it's so easy
to get caught up in the
whirlwind of everything elsethat's going on and forget to
slow down.
Appreciate your partner, youknow.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
It happens to the
best of us, and this book
highlights how powerfuljournaling can be for those
small everyday expressions oflove that really matter.
It's about creating a space forintentional appreciation.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
I love that.
So we're talking aboutstrengthening the relationship
on multiple levels, from bettercommunication and conflict
resolution to increased intimacyand appreciation.
It's pretty incredible thatsomething as simple as
journaling could be so impactful.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
It's true, and the
real key, as the book mentions,
is consistency.
Like any new habit, the moreyou do it, the more natural it
becomes and you really start toreap the benefits.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
It's about making
that conscious choice to invest
in the long-term health of yourrelationship right, exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
And speaking of
investing, let's delve into some
of the specific journal promptsthat Lestallion offers in the
book, because they're designedto uncover those little hidden
gems within your relationship,insights that might otherwise
stay buried.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
OK, you've definitely
piqued my interest.
Give us a sneak peek.
What are some of these promptsall about?
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Well, one category
that really stood out to me was
shared experiences and goals,and there's this one prompt.
It asks what's a seeminglyinsignificant memory from our
relationship that actually holdsa surprising amount of meaning
for you, and why I just I lovethat one?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
It gets at those
small everyday moments that
often become so pivotal in ourrelationships, you know like
that inside joke that only thetwo of you share, or that random
memory that still makes yousmile every time you think about
it, exactly and justreminiscing about those shared
experiences.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Whether it's
something silly like a funny
mishap on your first date, ormaybe just a quiet moment of
connection, it can reallyreignite that spark.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
It's like hitting the
rewind button on your love
story.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yes, and then you
have prompts that really
encourage you to dive into thisspace of mutual understanding
and compassion.
One that I found particularlypowerful asks what's one thing
you wish I understood betterabout your past, and how do you
think it influences you today?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Wow, that's a
powerful one.
It makes you realize that weall have these experiences that
have shaped us right.
Absolutely how we communicatehow we approach relationships.
It all stems from somewhere.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
And it's about
recognizing that our partners
aren't just reacting in themoment.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
They're bringing
their whole selves to the
relationship, their history.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
You know the good and
the bad.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Understanding that
can foster so much more empathy
and compassion and the badunderstanding that can foster so
much more empathy andcompassion.
It's about creating that safespace to be vulnerable, to share
those parts of ourselves thatwe don't always talk about.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Yes, exactly.
And speaking of vulnerability,we can't forget about the
importance of feeling cared forand appreciated in a
relationship right.
Lestallion actually dedicatesan entire section to prompts
focused on appreciation andgratitude, which I think is
brilliant.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
It's easy to let
those small gestures fall by the
wayside, though, especially astime goes on.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Absolutely.
One prop that I really liked inthis section asks what's one
small act of service I could dofor you this week that would
make you feel especially lovedand appreciated?
So it's about being intentionalwith those small everyday
things.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Like what Give us
some ideas.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Well, it could be
something as simple as bringing
your partner their favoritecoffee in the morning, or
leaving a sweet note for them tofind, or even just putting your
phone down at the end of theday and giving them your full
attention.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
It's those little
things, those reminders that say
you're important to me.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Exactly, and I love
that the prompts encourage you
to not only express appreciation, but also to communicate what
makes you feel appreciated.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
It's about figuring
out your own love languages,
because what makes one personfeel loved and valued might not
resonate with their partner inthe same way.
So that's really insightful.
But I have to ask for coupleswho are completely new to
journaling together where dothey even begin?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
That's a great
question.
The good news is you don't haveto go all in right away.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
So for those of us
thinking, OK, we're ready to
give this a try, what are thefirst steps?
Do you just dive right in withthese really deep prompts?
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You know, that's what
I love about this book.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It really emphasizes
starting slow and steady, like
don't put pressure on yourselvesto journal every single day or
tackle every prompt in the book.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Maybe just choose one
prompt a week to start with, or
even just once a month,whatever feels doable.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
That's a good point.
It's about finding a rhythmthat works for both of you.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Exactly, and the
other thing that's really
important is creating that safeand comfortable space to share,
you know, because this is aboutbeing open and honest with each
other without feeling judged.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
It's like you're
building that foundation of
trust so that you both feelcomfortable being vulnerable.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Yes, exactly, and the
book encourages couples to
really approach this with asense of curiosity.
You know, to remember that it'sa journey of self-discovery,
both individually and as acouple.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Because it's often in
those unexpected moments that
you have the most profoundinsights.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Exactly.
And that's where theseseemingly simple prompts can be
so powerful, because they canspark those deeper conversations
and help you uncover thosehidden dynamics.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
It's like you're
peeling back the layers, getting
to the heart of your connection.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Exactly, and it can
be surprising what you learn
about each other along the way.
It's about embracing thatjourney together.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
So really, it's about
making that choice to invest in
your relationship, to nurturethe connection and to, like you
said, be open to those surprisesalong the way.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Absolutely, and you
know, at the end of the day,
those discoveries are often themost rewarding.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
I love that.
Well, as we wrap up our deepdive into couples journaling, I
think the big takeaway is thatit's not about adding another
chore to your to-do list.
It's about creating a space forconnection, for reflection, for
remembering what brought youtogether in the first place.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It's about keeping
that spark alive.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Exactly so.
Here's a final thought foreveryone listening If you could
ask your partner just one ofthese prompts tonight, what
would it be and what do you hopeto learn?
Until next time, keep thoseconversations going and remember
the most rewarding discoveriesare often the ones that we make
together.