March 24, 2025 • 14 mins
https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-relationships
Meaningful relationships don't just happen—they require conscious effort, reflection, and dedication. But how exactly do we nurture these vital connections when life gets busy?
This deep dive explores the powerful practice of relationship journaling and how it can transform the way we communicate with and understand our partners. We examine the beautifully designed Lestallion relationship journals with their practical features—numbered pages, table of contents, and 211 pages of thick ivory paper—that make reflection both organized and pleasurable.
Through real stories, we discover how couples have used journaling to overcome communication barriers. Like Sarah and Alex, who felt more like roommates than partners after five years of marriage until they started writing together each evening. Sarah focused on gratitude while Alex explored future hopes, creating a bridge between them that led to renewed intimacy and understanding.
The practice works by creating a dedicated space to process relationship thoughts and emotions intentionally. By writing down feelings before conversations, partners can express themselves more clearly and with less emotional reactivity. Categorizing entries helps identify patterns in communication and track growth over time. The result? Better communication, deeper trust, enhanced emotional intimacy, and a tangible record of your journey together.
Ready to strengthen your relationships? Start with simple practices: set shared goals as a couple, reflect on conflicts from both perspectives, express regular gratitude, and use prompts when you're stuck. What small act of reflection could you begin today that would transform your connections a year from now?
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Have you ever thought about, like, how we actually
nurture those really importantrelationships in our lives?
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
They're the ones that really matter.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
It's something that you have to really put effort
into.
Yeah, it doesn't just happenautomatically, does it?
Yeah, not at all.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It's like you need that conscious effort to kind of
keep those connections strongand thriving.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
I think reflection is a huge part of it too.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Reflection yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Taking the time to think about the relationship.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Exactly, reflection is a huge part of it too.
Reflection, yeah, taking thetime to think about the
relationship.
Exactly, and you know, and withour busy lives, it's so easy to
let that slip, isn't?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
it, it really is.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
To push it aside.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
So in this deep dive we're going to look at a really
interesting approach, I think,to kind of help us with that
reflection piece.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
And that is using a journal specifically dedicated
to your relationships.
Yeah so we're going to explorehow this whole practice can
actually help us deepen ourconnections.
Yeah, you know, help us be moregrateful, I think, in our
relationships and just betternavigate all those little bumps
in the road when it comes tocommunication.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Because, let's face it, there are always going to be
some bumps, always, yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
So we've been looking at some material from
Lestallion and their journalnotebook for relationships.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And you know they make these really beautifully
designed notebooks.
You do and they're reallytailored for this kind of
reflection.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I love that they use that thick ivory paper.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yes, 120 GSM.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yes, and it just feels so nice to write on.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
It does, it feels really special and the cover is
so soft.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Yeah, it's a really lovely faux leather, yes, and it
just feels so nice to write onit does.
It feels really special and thecover is so soft.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, it's a really lovely faux leather.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
But you know what else is really cool?
It's not just about how itlooks and feels, but it's some
of the really practical featuresthey've built in.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, like what so?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
things like numbered pages and a table of contents.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, that's so smart.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I know right.
It seems so simple, but I betthat's so useful yeah and they
really are useful because withthe numbered pages, for example,
you can so easily go back andreference a specific entry.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Oh right, like if you're having a similar
conversation again.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Exactly, or if you just want to remember a certain
you know, a certain moment.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Or see how your feelings maybe have evolved
about a certain topic.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
It's all about that continuity.
Yeah so you can kind of trackthings over time.
I like that and really seethose key moments.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
You know, I'm thinking of a friend of mine
let's call her Maya, okay, andshe was really struggling with
communication with her partner,ben, and they often felt like
they just weren't hearing eachother.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
That's so tough.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It is, and she actually decided to try using a
journal and she specificallychose this Lestallion notebook.
Oh really, yeah, she'd heardabout it and she really liked
those organizational features.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
And she told me that being able to refer back to past
discussions using thosenumbered pages, yeah, it really
helped them see patterns intheir communication.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yeah, and how they were actually tackling these
recurring issues.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
That's smart.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
So it's almost like they had a shared history.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Like a tangible record of their communication.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Exactly that they could actually flip through.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
That's a really cool way to look at it.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Right.
So I think it's a great exampleof how these features you know
it's more than just organization.
It's actually supporting betterunderstanding within that
relationship.
I love that.
So let's talk about, like thecore reasons why using a journal
in your relationships can be sopowerful.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Okay, I'm ready.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
What is it about this practice that really helps us?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I think it all comes down to communication.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And a deeper emotional connection.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
So it's more than just, like you know, writing
down events.
It's about fostering bettercommunication.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Okay, so how does that work?
How does?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
writing things down actually help us interact better
with our partners?
Yeah, I mean, is it just abouthow does that work?
How does writing things downactually help us interact better
with our partners.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, I mean, is it just about like recording what
happened, or is there somethingmore to it?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Definitely more to it .
It's about creating a space, adedicated space, where you can
process your thoughts andemotions that are related to
your relationship, but in a moreintentional way.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
OK.
And I think that by actuallywriting those feelings down on
paper, you start to understandyour own perspective so much
better, okay, and then you canexpress yourself more openly and
honestly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
That makes sense.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
When you actually talk to your partner.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Because you've kind of processed it yourself first.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Exactly, it's like having a conversation with
yourself, right To prepare for abetter conversation with your
partner.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
So true, it's like slowing down all those thoughts
that are constantly buzzingaround in our heads.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And giving them a form that we can actually look
at, and reflect on, and reflecton yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And I think it's also important to remember that it's
not just about expressing yourown feelings Right.
It's also about understandingyour partner's perspective
that's huge it is and aligningyour hopes and dreams as a
couple.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
So it's about finding that common ground, exactly
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah.
So whether you're writing downyour dreams for the future or
reflecting on past experiences,together, yeah.
The journal becomes this recordof both your individual
viewpoints and your sharedjourney as a couple, and the
Lestallian journals have so muchspace for that they do With
those 211 pages of thatbeautiful ivory paper.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, it's not just a quick note.
You know, you can really delvedeep.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
It's a canvas.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
It is.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
For your thoughts and feelings.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Imagine being able to go back and look at an entry
from months ago.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
That captured a really special moment.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Oh, I love that idea.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Right, or maybe a challenging time that you
overcame together and thosenumbered pages make it so easy
to find.
Exactly.
It's like you're building thistimeline.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
The living timeline.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Of your relationship.
Yeah, you know, my cousin Davidwas telling me about this time
when he and his partner weretrying to plan for a big step in
their lives together.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
But they kept having these, you know, vague
discussions.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
They couldn't quite get on the same page.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
No they weren't making much progress.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And he decided to start using a Lestallian journal
.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
And they each wrote down their individual hopes and
concerns on separate pages, youknow.
And then they came together andcompared what they had written.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And he said it brought so much clarity.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, it was amazing and the table of contents became
their roadmap.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Literally.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
For navigating those different perspectives and
finding that common ground.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So it sounds like the physical act of writing,
combined with the organizationof the journal, really help them
be more intentional andthoughtful about understanding
what was happening in theirrelationship.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Exactly so.
It's not just about you knowexpressing yourself, but it's
about how you do it Right andhaving that structure.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
It's a framework, yeah, to guide those
conversations.
Now let's be honest, yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You know, no relationship is perfect.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Of course not.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
We all face challenges.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
We do.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
So what are some of those common hurdles that pop up
in relationships, and how can ajournal help us in those
moments?
Speaker 2 (06:50):
You know, especially a journal like the Lestallion
one, with all its features.
Well, miscommunication is a bigone, and emotional
misunderstandings and unmetexpectations.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Oh, those unspoken things.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, and those can lead to a lot of frustration and
resentment.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They do.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
And even a sense of growing distance between
partners.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Unfortunately.
Yeah, we've all probably beenthere at some point.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
So how can a journal become a tool for actually
addressing those issues?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Well, I think the journal offers this safe space
to confront those challenges.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
In what way?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
So, individually, you can use the journal to unpack
your feelings about a conflictor a misunderstanding before you
even talk to your partner aboutit, so you can process it on
your own.
Without that immediate pressureof a face-to-face conversation,
yeah, and without maybe thatemotional reactivity that can
sometimes happen.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, and then together you can use a journal
to explore those sharedfrustrations and work together
to figure out what's reallycausing the problem.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Okay, so it's a way to organize your thoughts and
feelings before you have thatconversation.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yes, and to be more constructive.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And less emotionally charged.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Exactly, yeah, and this is where the table of
contents in the ListallionJournal is so helpful.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You can categorize your entries by themes.
Oh, that's smart, yeah.
So maybe communicationchallenges, or navigating
finances or resolving conflicts?
Speaker 1 (08:16):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So you can track patterns.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Go back and see what worked before.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Or what didn't work.
You have that history.
That tangible history Of howyou've dealt with things.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
And you can see the progress you've made.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
And acknowledge your progress.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yeah, there's a story about a couple named Sarah and
Alex.
They'd been married for fiveyears.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
And they loved each other very much.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
But they were starting to feel more like
roommates than a connectedcouple.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
I think that happens to a lot of couples.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
It does Wow Over time .
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Yeah, they were having trouble communicating.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
And the stress of everyday life was really pulling
them apart.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Oh yeah, so common it is.
So what changed for them?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, what happened?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well, Sarah found a Lestallian journal.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
And they decided to try writing in it together.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Oh nice.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah, just for a few minutes each evening.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Sarah decided to focus on gratitude.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So she would write down things that she appreciated
about Alex and theirrelationship.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Even small things.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Even small things.
Yeah, alex focused on thefuture.
Okay, he wrote down his hopesand dreams for their life
together.
Things he maybe hadn't said outloud yeah, things he wasn't so
comfortable saying.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Interesting, so they were using the journal in
different ways.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
They were, but in ways that complemented each
other.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Okay, I like that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And you know what the journal became.
This bridge between them.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Oh, it really did.
How so.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
By writing down their feelings and then sharing those
entries, they created thisspace for vulnerability and
understanding, a deeperunderstanding.
Yes, and they started to talkabout things.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
That they had been avoiding before, but in a safe
way.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Yes, after they had reflected on it in their
journals.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
That's so powerful.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It was.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And so what was the ultimate impact on their
relationship?
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Well.
Their communication improved.
They rebuilt trust.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And they deepened their emotional bond.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
It was.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
What a transformation .
Speaker 1 (10:12):
And they started setting goals together, goals
that they had written about intheir journals oh wow, and they
started celebrating their wins.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Their small wins.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Even the small ones.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's so important to acknowledge those.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
It is.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Yeah, so it sounds like the journal was a really
powerful tool for them.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
It was a tool for reconnection and growth.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
I love that story.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I do too.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
It really shows how intentional reflection can
change the whole dynamic of arelationship.
It can.
So let's say someone islistening to this and thinking
okay, this sounds great, butwhere do I start?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
What are some tips for actually using a journal to
strengthen a relationship?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Okay, well, the material we looked at had some
great suggestions.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
First set shared goals.
Yeah, so this isn't aboutindividual goals, but goals as a
couple.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Right Things you want to achieve together.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Exactly Like what kind of things?
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Well, it could be travel plans, okay.
Personal growth goals Mm-hmmFamily aspirations.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh yeah, the big stuff.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, and writing them down makes them more real.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
More tangible.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, and it gives you something concrete to talk
about.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
To work towards yes.
And then there's reflecting onconflicts.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Right.
So when you have a disagreement, which we all do.
We all do.
Yeah, don't just let it fester.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Use the journal.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
To write down what happened.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
From each person's perspective.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Yes, how you each felt.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
What you learned from it and how you can move forward
together, so the journalbecomes like a tool for growth.
It does.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
And then there's expressing gratitude.
Okay, regularly write down whatyou appreciate about your
partner.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It is, it can make such a difference.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
It can.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
You know their actions, their qualities, the
little things they do.
It helps you focus on the good.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
And appreciate the good.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yes, and feel more connected.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Feel more loved.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
It's so easy to forget those things.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
It is.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
When we're busy and stressed Right.
And then finally, there's usingprompts Prompts, yeah.
Relationship prompts, oh.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
To help you with self-expression.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Yeah, sometimes it's hard to know where to start.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
It can be.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Right, so prompts can help.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
So give me some examples.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Okay, Well, one could be.
What does trust mean to me inthis relationship?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Ooh, that's a good one.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Or describe a time when your partner made you feel
really loved and understood.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Oh, I like that.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Those are great starting points.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
They are.
And you know what?
Yeah, even the dashed lines inthe listallion journals can be
helpful for keeping your entriesneat and organized.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Oh yeah, that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's all of those little details.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
The little details matter.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
They do that make the experience more enjoyable.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
And make you want to keep doing it Exactly,
consistently.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
So what are the biggest benefits of relationship
journaling?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Well, you're likely to see a real improvement in
communication okay you'll becomebetter at expressing yourself
and understanding your partnerand trust will grow absolutely,
because you're creating a spacefor vulnerability and honesty
and what about emotionalintimacy?
That will deepen too okaybecause you'll have a deeper
understanding of each other'sinner world.
That's beautiful and you'lldevelop more empathy for each
(13:26):
other.
So much good stuff there is andultimately it strengthens your
connection as a couple Makes itmore resilient.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Exactly You're building a stronger foundation.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
One entry at a time.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
One entry at a time.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I love that.
It's true, and you're creatinga record tangible record of your
journey together of yourmemories, your goals, your
reflections it becomes akeepsake it does a beautiful
keepsake with that lovely fauxleather cover yeah, so it's more
than just a notebook it's atreasure really is a story of
your love so, as we wrap up thisdeep dive, yeah I think it's
(13:56):
clear that nurturing ourrelationships, it takes effort,
it does, it takes reflection.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And a willingness to grow together.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
And a relationship journal can be such a valuable
tool.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
It can.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
For navigating all of that.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
For facing the challenges.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
And celebrating the joys.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And a journal like the one by Lestallion.
Yes, you know, that'sthoughtfully designed.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Like the one by La Stallion.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yes, you know that's thoughtfully designed.
With all those features, it canreally support you in creating
that space.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
That dedicated space.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
For self-expression and shared understanding.
Exactly so if you're lookingfor a way to really deepen your
bonds and create more meaningfulconnections.
I think it's time to considerthe power of journaling.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
The power of putting pen to paper.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So here's something to think about.
Okay, what small act ofreflection could you start today
that would make the biggestdifference in your relationships
a year from now?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
That's a great question to ponder.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It is, it's worth considering.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
It is Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
It was a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, me too.
Have you ever thought about, like, how we actually
nurture those really importantrelationships in our lives?
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
They're the ones that really matter.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
It's something that you have to really put effort
into.
Yeah, it doesn't just happenautomatically, does it?
Yeah, not at all.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It's like you need that conscious effort to kind of
keep those connections strongand thriving.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
I think reflection is a huge part of it too.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Reflection yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Taking the time to think about the relationship.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Exactly, reflection is a huge part of it too.
Reflection, yeah, taking thetime to think about the
relationship.
Exactly, and you know, and withour busy lives, it's so easy to
let that slip, isn't?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
it, it really is.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
To push it aside.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
So in this deep dive we're going to look at a really
interesting approach, I think,to kind of help us with that
reflection piece.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
And that is using a journal specifically dedicated
to your relationships.
Yeah so we're going to explorehow this whole practice can
actually help us deepen ourconnections.
Yeah, you know, help us be moregrateful, I think, in our
relationships and just betternavigate all those little bumps
in the road when it comes tocommunication.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Because, let's face it, there are always going to be
some bumps, always, yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
So we've been looking at some material from
Lestallion and their journalnotebook for relationships.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And you know they make these really beautifully
designed notebooks.
You do and they're reallytailored for this kind of
reflection.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I love that they use that thick ivory paper.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yes, 120 GSM.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yes, and it just feels so nice to write on.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
It does, it feels really special and the cover is
so soft.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Yeah, it's a really lovely faux leather, yes, and it
just feels so nice to write onit does.
It feels really special and thecover is so soft.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, it's a really lovely faux leather.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
But you know what else is really cool?
It's not just about how itlooks and feels, but it's some
of the really practical featuresthey've built in.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, like what so?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
things like numbered pages and a table of contents.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, that's so smart.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I know right.
It seems so simple, but I betthat's so useful yeah and they
really are useful because withthe numbered pages, for example,
you can so easily go back andreference a specific entry.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Oh right, like if you're having a similar
conversation again.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Exactly, or if you just want to remember a certain
you know, a certain moment.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Or see how your feelings maybe have evolved
about a certain topic.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
It's all about that continuity.
Yeah so you can kind of trackthings over time.
I like that and really seethose key moments.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
You know, I'm thinking of a friend of mine
let's call her Maya, okay, andshe was really struggling with
communication with her partner,ben, and they often felt like
they just weren't hearing eachother.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
That's so tough.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It is, and she actually decided to try using a
journal and she specificallychose this Lestallion notebook.
Oh really, yeah, she'd heardabout it and she really liked
those organizational features.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
And she told me that being able to refer back to past
discussions using thosenumbered pages, yeah, it really
helped them see patterns intheir communication.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yeah, and how they were actually tackling these
recurring issues.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
That's smart.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
So it's almost like they had a shared history.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Like a tangible record of their communication.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Exactly that they could actually flip through.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
That's a really cool way to look at it.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Right.
So I think it's a great exampleof how these features you know
it's more than just organization.
It's actually supporting betterunderstanding within that
relationship.
I love that.
So let's talk about, like thecore reasons why using a journal
in your relationships can be sopowerful.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Okay, I'm ready.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
What is it about this practice that really helps us?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I think it all comes down to communication.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And a deeper emotional connection.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
So it's more than just, like you know, writing
down events.
It's about fostering bettercommunication.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Okay, so how does that work?
How does?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
writing things down actually help us interact better
with our partners?
Yeah, I mean, is it just abouthow does that work?
How does writing things downactually help us interact better
with our partners.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, I mean, is it just about like recording what
happened, or is there somethingmore to it?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Definitely more to it .
It's about creating a space, adedicated space, where you can
process your thoughts andemotions that are related to
your relationship, but in a moreintentional way.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
OK.
And I think that by actuallywriting those feelings down on
paper, you start to understandyour own perspective so much
better, okay, and then you canexpress yourself more openly and
honestly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
That makes sense.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
When you actually talk to your partner.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Because you've kind of processed it yourself first.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Exactly, it's like having a conversation with
yourself, right To prepare for abetter conversation with your
partner.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
So true, it's like slowing down all those thoughts
that are constantly buzzingaround in our heads.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And giving them a form that we can actually look
at, and reflect on, and reflecton yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And I think it's also important to remember that it's
not just about expressing yourown feelings Right.
It's also about understandingyour partner's perspective
that's huge it is and aligningyour hopes and dreams as a
couple.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
So it's about finding that common ground, exactly
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah.
So whether you're writing downyour dreams for the future or
reflecting on past experiences,together, yeah.
The journal becomes this recordof both your individual
viewpoints and your sharedjourney as a couple, and the
Lestallian journals have so muchspace for that they do With
those 211 pages of thatbeautiful ivory paper.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, it's not just a quick note.
You know, you can really delvedeep.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
It's a canvas.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
It is.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
For your thoughts and feelings.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Imagine being able to go back and look at an entry
from months ago.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
That captured a really special moment.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Oh, I love that idea.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Right, or maybe a challenging time that you
overcame together and thosenumbered pages make it so easy
to find.
Exactly.
It's like you're building thistimeline.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
The living timeline.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Of your relationship.
Yeah, you know, my cousin Davidwas telling me about this time
when he and his partner weretrying to plan for a big step in
their lives together.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
But they kept having these, you know, vague
discussions.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
They couldn't quite get on the same page.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
No they weren't making much progress.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And he decided to start using a Lestallian journal
.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
And they each wrote down their individual hopes and
concerns on separate pages, youknow.
And then they came together andcompared what they had written.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And he said it brought so much clarity.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, it was amazing and the table of contents became
their roadmap.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Literally.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
For navigating those different perspectives and
finding that common ground.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So it sounds like the physical act of writing,
combined with the organizationof the journal, really help them
be more intentional andthoughtful about understanding
what was happening in theirrelationship.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Exactly so.
It's not just about you knowexpressing yourself, but it's
about how you do it Right andhaving that structure.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
It's a framework, yeah, to guide those
conversations.
Now let's be honest, yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You know, no relationship is perfect.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Of course not.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
We all face challenges.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
We do.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
So what are some of those common hurdles that pop up
in relationships, and how can ajournal help us in those
moments?
Speaker 2 (06:50):
You know, especially a journal like the Lestallion
one, with all its features.
Well, miscommunication is a bigone, and emotional
misunderstandings and unmetexpectations.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Oh, those unspoken things.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, and those can lead to a lot of frustration and
resentment.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They do.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
And even a sense of growing distance between
partners.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Unfortunately.
Yeah, we've all probably beenthere at some point.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
So how can a journal become a tool for actually
addressing those issues?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Well, I think the journal offers this safe space
to confront those challenges.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
In what way?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
So, individually, you can use the journal to unpack
your feelings about a conflictor a misunderstanding before you
even talk to your partner aboutit, so you can process it on
your own.
Without that immediate pressureof a face-to-face conversation,
yeah, and without maybe thatemotional reactivity that can
sometimes happen.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, and then together you can use a journal
to explore those sharedfrustrations and work together
to figure out what's reallycausing the problem.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Okay, so it's a way to organize your thoughts and
feelings before you have thatconversation.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yes, and to be more constructive.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And less emotionally charged.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Exactly, yeah, and this is where the table of
contents in the ListallionJournal is so helpful.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You can categorize your entries by themes.
Oh, that's smart, yeah.
So maybe communicationchallenges, or navigating
finances or resolving conflicts?
Speaker 1 (08:16):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So you can track patterns.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Go back and see what worked before.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Or what didn't work.
You have that history.
That tangible history Of howyou've dealt with things.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
And you can see the progress you've made.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
And acknowledge your progress.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yeah, there's a story about a couple named Sarah and
Alex.
They'd been married for fiveyears.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
And they loved each other very much.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
But they were starting to feel more like
roommates than a connectedcouple.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
I think that happens to a lot of couples.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
It does Wow Over time .
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Yeah, they were having trouble communicating.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
And the stress of everyday life was really pulling
them apart.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Oh yeah, so common it is.
So what changed for them?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, what happened?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well, Sarah found a Lestallian journal.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
And they decided to try writing in it together.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Oh nice.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah, just for a few minutes each evening.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Sarah decided to focus on gratitude.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So she would write down things that she appreciated
about Alex and theirrelationship.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Even small things.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Even small things.
Yeah, alex focused on thefuture.
Okay, he wrote down his hopesand dreams for their life
together.
Things he maybe hadn't said outloud yeah, things he wasn't so
comfortable saying.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Interesting, so they were using the journal in
different ways.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
They were, but in ways that complemented each
other.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Okay, I like that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And you know what the journal became.
This bridge between them.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Oh, it really did.
How so.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
By writing down their feelings and then sharing those
entries, they created thisspace for vulnerability and
understanding, a deeperunderstanding.
Yes, and they started to talkabout things.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
That they had been avoiding before, but in a safe
way.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Yes, after they had reflected on it in their
journals.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
That's so powerful.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It was.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And so what was the ultimate impact on their
relationship?
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Well.
Their communication improved.
They rebuilt trust.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And they deepened their emotional bond.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
It was.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
What a transformation .
Speaker 1 (10:12):
And they started setting goals together, goals
that they had written about intheir journals oh wow, and they
started celebrating their wins.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Their small wins.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Even the small ones.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's so important to acknowledge those.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
It is.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Yeah, so it sounds like the journal was a really
powerful tool for them.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
It was a tool for reconnection and growth.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
I love that story.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I do too.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
It really shows how intentional reflection can
change the whole dynamic of arelationship.
It can.
So let's say someone islistening to this and thinking
okay, this sounds great, butwhere do I start?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
What are some tips for actually using a journal to
strengthen a relationship?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Okay, well, the material we looked at had some
great suggestions.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
First set shared goals.
Yeah, so this isn't aboutindividual goals, but goals as a
couple.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Right Things you want to achieve together.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Exactly Like what kind of things?
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Well, it could be travel plans, okay.
Personal growth goals Mm-hmmFamily aspirations.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh yeah, the big stuff.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, and writing them down makes them more real.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
More tangible.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, and it gives you something concrete to talk
about.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
To work towards yes.
And then there's reflecting onconflicts.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Right.
So when you have a disagreement, which we all do.
We all do.
Yeah, don't just let it fester.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Use the journal.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
To write down what happened.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
From each person's perspective.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Yes, how you each felt.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
What you learned from it and how you can move forward
together, so the journalbecomes like a tool for growth.
It does.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
And then there's expressing gratitude.
Okay, regularly write down whatyou appreciate about your
partner.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It is, it can make such a difference.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
It can.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
You know their actions, their qualities, the
little things they do.
It helps you focus on the good.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
And appreciate the good.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yes, and feel more connected.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Feel more loved.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
It's so easy to forget those things.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
It is.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
When we're busy and stressed Right.
And then finally, there's usingprompts Prompts, yeah.
Relationship prompts, oh.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
To help you with self-expression.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Yeah, sometimes it's hard to know where to start.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
It can be.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Right, so prompts can help.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
So give me some examples.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Okay, Well, one could be.
What does trust mean to me inthis relationship?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Ooh, that's a good one.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Or describe a time when your partner made you feel
really loved and understood.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Oh, I like that.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Those are great starting points.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
They are.
And you know what?
Yeah, even the dashed lines inthe listallion journals can be
helpful for keeping your entriesneat and organized.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Oh yeah, that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's all of those little details.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
The little details matter.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
They do that make the experience more enjoyable.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
And make you want to keep doing it Exactly,
consistently.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
So what are the biggest benefits of relationship
journaling?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Well, you're likely to see a real improvement in
communication okay you'll becomebetter at expressing yourself
and understanding your partnerand trust will grow absolutely,
because you're creating a spacefor vulnerability and honesty
and what about emotionalintimacy?
That will deepen too okaybecause you'll have a deeper
understanding of each other'sinner world.
That's beautiful and you'lldevelop more empathy for each
(13:26):
other.
So much good stuff there is andultimately it strengthens your
connection as a couple Makes itmore resilient.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Exactly You're building a stronger foundation.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
One entry at a time.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
One entry at a time.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I love that.
It's true, and you're creatinga record tangible record of your
journey together of yourmemories, your goals, your
reflections it becomes akeepsake it does a beautiful
keepsake with that lovely fauxleather cover yeah, so it's more
than just a notebook it's atreasure really is a story of
your love so, as we wrap up thisdeep dive, yeah I think it's
(13:56):
clear that nurturing ourrelationships, it takes effort,
it does, it takes reflection.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And a willingness to grow together.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
And a relationship journal can be such a valuable
tool.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
It can.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
For navigating all of that.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
For facing the challenges.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
And celebrating the joys.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And a journal like the one by Lestallion.
Yes, you know, that'sthoughtfully designed.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Like the one by La Stallion.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yes, you know that's thoughtfully designed.
With all those features, it canreally support you in creating
that space.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
That dedicated space.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
For self-expression and shared understanding.
Exactly so if you're lookingfor a way to really deepen your
bonds and create more meaningfulconnections.
I think it's time to considerthe power of journaling.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
The power of putting pen to paper.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So here's something to think about.
Okay, what small act ofreflection could you start today
that would make the biggestdifference in your relationships
a year from now?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
That's a great question to ponder.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It is, it's worth considering.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
It is Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
It was a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, me too.
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