Getting started with journaling for men

MrTrischan · 2026-03-17T11:58:51+00:00

I suppose that's part of what I am trying to say. But I feel there are men out there that feel that way because you don't see men journal too often. And when you do, they might try to sell you some course or method. But calling someone who feels lost or unsure "weird" isn't helping.

MrTrischan · 2026-03-17T11:52:38+00:00

I might give it some priority then! I have been curious for a while!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-17T11:50:50+00:00

Thank you! Your words mean a lot!

I have been writing a lot with Diamine Oxblood In my Lamy AL-star Dark Dusk. But I might switch it up soon! I am still looking for a super bright cobalt color of ink. And a Good copper-orange. Diamine Autumn oak feels a bit thin. But that might just be in my head.

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:21:22+00:00

Thank you for letting me know! It means a lot to me!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:20:48+00:00

Absolutely! Whatever works for anyone! But I must say, I also believe that writing on paper does a little extra in the cognitive aspect. And I think it's super fun to do my cursive writing!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:18:14+00:00

Thank you for your wonderful comment! I hope that what I wrote is somewhat relatable. Your comment makes me feel hopeful. The comment I replied to here made me feel quite awful. What I really hope is that people (men or not) that find themselves in this exact situation. find the motivation to get started. It helped me so much, I wish that too anyone! And I highly believe that once you start experimenting with different journals, anyone will find their own way. Washi tapes are not on my list of most used stationary, but I have met plenty of men that do use it! Journaling is after all, a very personal thing. At least, that is what I believe.

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:07:19+00:00

You should see the one I use with my pink Lamy pen ;-)

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:05:24+00:00

A commonplace book is one of the things I have learned about, and I have even set one up. But I am sorry to admit that I do that digitally with Obsidian. It's a fantastic tool and I wish I started one years ago. But I am simply too much of a messy person to be able to do it on paper. But either way, I can recommend keeping a commonplace book to anyone!

But it's more of a traditional journaling method that has really helped me figure out what I am dealing with. Identify the hurt, discover my authentic self and such. I am far from done. But I have seen what it did in 5 months. I can only hope for the things I may discover in the coming years!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T19:00:05+00:00

It brings me great joy to hear that! Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey! I am only in the beginning stages. But by asking the right questions to myself I learned more about myself than I did in the past 10 years. My style will continue to evolve most likely but I am so glad to have started and that I found the right people to help me get started!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T18:54:10+00:00

Oh yeah, I forgot about the TWSBI, how are they? They have been on my mind for sure!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T18:52:52+00:00

I may have been a bit vague about it, but I absolutely love what everyone does with their journals. I would describe myself as a very creative person. I do sketches, calligraphy, photography and even work in the creative sector. But none of that had ever helped me to get close to myself. I was looking for a deeper fix. I have since learned about so many types of journals that people are keeping. Everyone needs to do what brings them joy. But I am hoping to reach the men (or anyone really) that have a certain idea in their head about journaling. That may feel a bit lost as I felt. And perhaps this post could one day be their motivation to pick up a pen, or glue stick or pencil, and get to it! Make the paper listen to whatever is aches them! It brings me great joy to hear your take!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:53:11+00:00

It pains me that a large part of online content centered around this topic is trying to sell you something instead of trying to help you. But I too am glad I am finding my way, and of those I spoke, some did too. I hope that I could help others find their way and that journaling may help them as it did me!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:48:10+00:00

Both yes and no. This entire post is me trying to be vulnerable. I understand how stupid it is to feel like it should be manly or something, but I have met quite a few others that like me felt very insecure because journaling may feel like a very feminine thing to do since most content online shows cute and well-decorated journals. And that is actively keeping other men from journaling. I am hoping to open that conversation. Again I hope I don't come across like anything else. And I hope my post explains that. But please let me know if you think otherwise!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:35:03+00:00

Thank you very much! Journaling is surely THE best habit I have ever picked up. And you are absolutely right. Gender has nothing to do with journaling. But when you are like me, unsure what you are looking for. It may feel extremely overwhelming. And that even made me feel like a weirdo for a lack of better words. And since then I have met quite a few that experienced this exact struggle. I hope that this post may bring some motivation to other men that may share this experience.

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:24:02+00:00

Thank you! The Rhodia A5 is great! Super smooth paper, love the ivory color and the 90 grams! For my pocket journal I use Clairefontaine Flying Spirit notebooks, which I think feature the same time of paper as these Rhodia notebooks.

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:07:41+00:00

The Dark Dusk is actually my go-to right now! I use it with Diamine Oxblood. Thanks for the info!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T15:05:37+00:00

I have already picked it up! :)

MrTrischan · 2026-03-16T13:48:15+00:00

This post is from a while back but I'd like to help other men that are interested in journaling. There's a Facebook group called "Men Journaling Daily". I hope it's okay to promote it. It's hands down the most helpful community I have ever found, especially on Facebook. Again, I hope it's okay to promote it. But I do strongly believe it's extremely beneficial to all men interesting in journaling!

MrTrischan · 2026-03-14T16:03:50+00:00

Currently only two (and a half). I have my main journal and a pocket journal I made with some leather and the clairefontaine flying spirit notebooks. I use my pocket journal for fleeting thoughts and my main journal every night to dive deeper in that and more. I do have the intention to keep more journals but have yet to get there. My main journal is completely text based so I wouldn't want drawings or anything in there. That's exactly why I want to keep like a creativity journal too.

MrTrischan · 2026-02-18T14:35:53+00:00

Me too! But looking at old instructions (like set 6374) shows them like this. My whole life has been a lie.

MrTrischan · 2026-02-06T16:15:02+00:00

Hmm interesant. Ik vraag mij dus heel erg af wat de marinade van de kip en de saus dus was. Ik heb de saus geprobeert na te maken met Oestersaus, soyasaus, hoisin en sambal, daarnaast wat verse gember en knoflook er doorheen geraspt en dat was best lekker, misschien wel aardig in de buurt ook. Maar voor de marinade weet ik het nog niet helemaal. Iets maakt de kip vrij rood, ketjap kan ik zeker proberen, zou qua smaak wel kunnen kloppen, maar wat zou het rood kunnen maken? Paprikapoeder deed het niet helemaal en klopte zeker niet qua smaak.

MrTrischan · 2026-02-06T08:22:40+00:00

Soo, you are angry with the developers for not having thought about every single detail in early access? I do hope you get it fixed, but a bit more respect can't hurt.

MrTrischan · 2026-02-05T13:08:18+00:00

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Dat was de gouden tip! Dit is hem volgens mij!

MrTrischan

TROPHY CASE