Write, Mama, Write!

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Tips to Develop a Journaling Practice, One Word at a Time

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By Jen McCurdy, M.Ed., LPC

My bookshelf is full of journals; some are full, others just have a few pages with random words spattered about. But each book captures a moment in time holding parts of my story; some joys, many struggles.

My introduction to journalling began as I struggled with postpartum anxiety. Both of my births were difficult, and it took a lot of time for me to get grounded. My internal chatter was overwhelming, and writing helped me find a bit of calm in the chaos. When my boys were little, I used to call my journal the ‘Notes in the tent,’ because the only way I found uninterrupted time to write was in their play tent while they were busy growing up and playing hard. Being a mom doesn’t necessarily provide moments of silence for introspection! But as my children grew, my journal gave me space to hold my memories and let go of my fears. My boys are now 11 and 14 and my struggles look very different, yet journalling always brings me back to myself.

Journalling is one of my lifelines. I start with the logistics of my day, then the pen ends up going into some deeper meaning. My journal is full of pages that look very different. Once I let go of the expectation of what a journal “should” look like, my journal came to life. Here are some ways I put my thoughts onto a page:

  • Free write: Write your thoughts as they come; keep it simple and no judgments.

  • Use prompts: If it’s a struggle to write your thoughts without a topic, find some prompts. Visit Pinterest and search for creative topics that spark your interest.

  • Draw and doodle: If words aren’t your thing, be creative! Draw, doodle, and add some color.

  • Gratitude changes everything: Make a list of 3 things you are grateful for each day.

  • Affirmations and quotes: Positivity and words from others can be used to help when you don’t have your own words.

It takes time to invite journaling–or any self-care activity–into a daily habit. Give it a few weeks and see how it goes. Your thoughts matter; if you give them space to come alive, you are a step closer to living an empowered mama life.

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Jen McCurdy, M.Ed., LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in women’s mental health and wellness. Her mission is to empower her clients to THINK BIG even when hope seems small. Visit JenMcCurdy.com to learn more.