The Power of Pen and Paper

Moms spend most of their time caring for others and too often neglect their own needs. It is a common trap into which we fall from the moment the nurse hands us our swaddled newborn.

For some mothers, escaping the house for “me time” is simply not an option. Child care may be unavailable, unaffordable or maxed out for moms who hold jobs outside the home. But there are still ways to escape, even for a few minutes, even in your own home.

One of the most valuable things I did for myself as a young mother was to find a few moments of quiet time each day to write in a personal journal. And I continue the practice today, listening to and documenting my inner voice and reflecting on my life’s journey as a person with multiple roles - wife, mother, sister, friend, retiree.

A personal journal doesn’t have to be well-written. There are no rules regarding the type, structure or organization of content. The beauty of a journal is that it is yours. It serves no other purpose than what you decided you want it to do. For you.  

Journaling is a process, not a destination. The act of sitting quietly and writing is, in and of itself, therapeutic. You may want to chronicle the daily events of your life, or you may choose to think through and write about a current challenge you face. Some moms keep a gratitude journal, which helps them remember the multitude of things for which to be thankful despite the frenzy of a busy family life. Others use their journal to set goals and priorities. I use my journal for all of the above!

Some moms may need a kick start. Though my own mother enjoyed writing about various aspects of her long life, she was unsure about where to start. A diary or journal full of blank pages overwhelmed her. So I bought her a copy of the book Reflections from a Mother’s Heart at the Family Christian Book Store on Highway 92. Designed to tell “your life story in your own words,” the book is divided into a 12-month format. Pages in each month contain intriguing questions to trigger a mother’s memories, reflections, family traditions and influences, all of which can then be written down in the book’s lined pages.

Reflections from a Mother’s Heart is intended to be a loving memoir that mothers can share with children and grandchildren. But the book can also be used as a private journal for any mom who wants a more structured way to document her thoughts.

Find a quiet corner tonight or tomorrow morning before the kids get up. Find some blank paper and a pen, and make yourself a cup of tea or cocoa. Sit down and begin to write. Don’t think too hard about it, just write. The words will come, I promise. Enjoy your quiet escape, and the benefits of keeping a personal journal.