Why Journaling For Moms Is Such a Fabulous Idea and How To Begin!

Tips and ideas to begin journaling for moms.

*updated September 13, 2023*

I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.
Flannery O’Connor

Does mom brain hit you hard? Are you still in the fog of young babies, dirty diapers, and scrambling to rearrange your schedule every six days when someone cuts a tooth?

That’s why journaling for moms is such good stinkin’ idea! How do we even know what we think until we read what we say?

Why should moms journal?

As if the aforementioned mom brain isn’t enough, moms should be journaling because we might be the people group least likely to think about ourselves otherwise.

Okay, I know that as a Christian mom, you’ve been taught to not really think about yourself. In fact, we would all do well to think about others more often.

However.

If we wait to think about ourselves until we’re at the bottom of a pit, overwhelmed, undernourished, and struggling to find a way out… we have done ourselves a terrible disservice.

I don’t think God wants us to run ourselves into the ground. And journaling is a great way to process your life, your goals, your priorities, and your boundaries.

How to begin journaling for busy moms:

Look, mama, I know you’re busy. I know you’re running around.

That’s okay.

There are 3 tips to make sure you get off on the right foot when it comes to beginning this habit that will have a profound effect on the way you mom!

1| Set a time of day or create a routine.

If you already have a morning routine, adding in the daily habit of journaling shouldn’t be overly complicated. Or, if it suits your schedule better, keep your journal by your bedside and be sure to jot in a few lines before zonking out for the night. By linking it to something you already do, each day, it’ll trigger the memory to ensure you stick with it.

2| Set a timer for however many minutes you can spare.

Just because some of us journaling moms can write pages for hours *slowly raising my hand* doesn’t mean that it has to be a long winded event.

In fact, when you first begin, it may be more profitable to start small. If you have 10 minutes to spare, set a timer and “write to beat the clock.” I know it can be intimidating to sit down in front of a blank page if you’re not accustomed to it.

But.

Once you get started, you’ll find stopping is the more difficult of the two.

3| Keep your journaling tools handy and easily accessible.

I am notorious for walking around my house with my journal and pen in hand. I mean, we’re talking about journaling for moms, here. Moms are stellar at utilizing those random free pockets of time when everyone is busy, happy, and quiet.

For me, that means jotting down a few lines here and there, as I go. Don’t get me wrong, I write each morning after I read my bible. I’m just saying, it doesn’t always stop there.

And if you can’t commit a chunk of time, commit to always being ready to write!

What are the benefits of journaling?

Journaling provides mental clarity for moms.

Flannery got it right at the top of the page here: you don’t really know what you’re thinking until you see it for yourself. All the processing I’ve done in my journals has been pivotal in my role as a mother as well as in my personal and spiritual life!

Journaling is emotional therapy.

We all deal with hurt feelings and complicated emotions. I’ve found that often times, the act of writing them down and really delving deep is wildly therapeutic. What was your trigger and why? And what can you do about it?

Journaling for moms strengthens self-discipline.

Journaling is a relatively simple habit. Writing each day, even short little entries, can boost your confidence in yourself and your ability to follow through.

And once your feeling good about the journaling habit, your journaling will level up automatically.

Journaling gets your creative juices flowing.

I believe we’re all creative to a point, in some way. We are made in the image of God and God is the ultimate Creator.

Even if you’re not a writer, journaling for moms is beneficial because as they meal plan, decorate the home, or build their businesses… they need to be tapped into the creative Source.

Moms who journal know their values.

Journaling for moms is important because, as moms, we need to know our governing values.

We need to know what values shape our momming style, our lives, our family’s lives.

Journaling helps you really understand yourself and how you see and interact with the world.

Writer moms develop their voice through journaling.

If you’re a writer, this needs no explanation. If you’re not a writer, blogger, or copywriting business builder, you can just skip ahead to the next benefit.

Are you a writer? Read this.

Journaling for moms provides spiritual discipline.

I can’t tell you how many times the Lord spoke straight to my heart through the words I wrote in my journaling notebook. He knows you inside and out, and he knows where to find you to get your attention. How many messages might moms be missing who aren’t journaling the breathings of their heart?

Moms can keep a life record through their journals.

You can totally “dear diary” your journals and just keep track of your day to day, your nutrition, your plans, your anything and everything.

Journaling for moms might also look like keeping track of funny things your kids say and do.

Journals are a great way to track answered prayers.

I love re-reading older journals and seeing, in writing, just how many prayers God was faithful to answer. Pray and praise in the pages of your journal!

Tips to start journaling for moms:

Have your journal and pen somewhere you can see it so you remember it.

Lower your expectations, you’re writing for writing’s sake. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece.

Keep it simple. Don’t worry about impressing anyone, no one else is going to read it but you.

Incorporate it into an established habit or routine. The best way to begin a habit, is to link a new one to a pre-existing one!

Don’t judge your writing. And don’t edit. Let your ideas flow where they will.

Use journaling prompts. If your mind is as blank as the page, every time you open your journal, find some journaling prompts to help you get started, like these.

Journaling for moms is an especially good idea.

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t encourage other stay at home moms to find something that they can pour themselves into for themselves. It isn’t like journaling is a selfish hobby, but it’s a beautiful way to reconnect you to yourself.

And if you find that you’re beginning to lose your identity in the trenches of motherhood, it’s a surefire way to get back to what makes you you.

There are a million studies, tons of research, and endless articles pointing to the benefits of a journaling habit. The only way to get in on those benefits, mama, is to pick up your pen and get writing!

Ready to join the sisterhood? Jump on my email list and stay connected to other like minded mamas!

1 COMMENT