Inside: Want to start a journaling routine, but not sure how to start? Here are 10 journaling techniques for moms to help you reflect, appreciate, and dream.
In November 1983, Mrs. Spafford and her four daughters were on a ship from the United States to Europe. Her husband, and the girls’ father, stayed back in Chicago to finish up some work before planning to meet his family later. Four days into the trip, the Spafford's ship smashed into another boat and sank. The four girls drowned. Mrs. Spafford was picked up by a sailor who saw the accident. She lived.
Horatio Spafford purchased a ticket on the next boat and met his grieving wife in Europe. While processing his heartache and pain on that journey, he wrote these words:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul
Mr. Spafford used a pen and paper to process his grief. While writing has the power to help us process deep pain, the practice of journaling can, in less dramatic but equally meaningful ways, help you and I process the daily chores and tasks of life. The process of journaling allows us to “say out loud” what we are feeling, and then hear back what is going on in our hearts. And then learn and adjust accordingly. Every mom should start a journaling routine.
So mama, with that in mind, I want to share 10 ways to journal that any mama can start right now. Some are more reflective, and some are more fun. Each one will, however, help you lean into a better understanding of who you are and who you want to be. Each will help you zone in on what matters to you, and then, hopefully, adjust your actions and thoughts accordingly.
Plus, journaling can be a ton of fun!
10 Journaling Techniques for Every Mom
Stream of consciousness journaling
This is probably my personal favorite. All it takes is a blank journal page and a pen - and you can go to town, mama!
I can remember one night lying in bed, when I was in 4th or 5th grade, trying to supress the quiet roar of nausea rumbling in my belly. My knees were curling up higher and higher to my chest in an attempt to muffle the pain. Desperate to get to sleep, I decided getting up to vomit was simply too much work. I could sleep it off, I thought.
My mom and sister were sitting on the bed next to me having some conversation about food. I don’t remember exactly what delicious treat they were discussing, but I do remember trying my best to drown out their noise with my own thoughts.
I didn’t succeed. In the span of about 3 secs I went from lying in bed “asleep”, to spewing throw-up all over the wall and bathroom door.
And that, mama, is what stream of conscience journaling is. It’s vomiting all over the page - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s letting those thoughts flow - the ones you have tried to hold back, the ones that are buried deep, and the ones that are right on the forefront of your mind.
It can take some practice to get into the hang of journaling this way. But here is a pro-tip: instead of lifting the pen off the page when you get stuck, write the words “blah, blah, blah….” until the thoughts start to flow again. It works, I promise.
Bullet Journal
I’ll be honest - bullet journaling has always felt intimidating to me! It looks a little too artsy and complicated for my simple brain. Still, it seems like 80% of the world is on the bullet journal train so I took the plunge and decided to figure out what all those dots and doodles were about.
What I discovered? It originally was a lot less “doodling” than Pinterest makes it out to be now.
Here is a basic video that lays out the process.
Gratitude Journal
You know when your car starts to get embarrassing low on oil, and you hear the faint sound of parts grinding and abnormal clunking noises coming from somewhere near the engine? The car is trying to work like it was made to, but it doesn't have what it needs to run smoothly.
Starting your day off rushed and on-the-go is like a car trying to muscle through when the oil is low. Yes, it will still get you where you need to be for a while. But it’s not at its best, and slowly the oil deficiency will begin to wear the parts down.
But when you start your morning with a focus on gratitude the mood shifts. When the backdrop of your day is what is good in your life, the rest seems to run a little smoother.
To start, take a few minutes each morning to jot down 5 things in your life that you are thankful for. It’s that easy.
Bible/Prayer Journal
Your eyes are still heavy. Your mind is somewhere in between the dream you had last night and the list of things you need to get done today. Your Bible is laid out on your lap. You have read the same passage 15 times, but by the 16th you still don’t know what actually is going on. So you slam the Bible shut.
Been there? Me, too.
Keeping a notebook and pen handy with my Bible has saved me on many mornings like that. It never fails - if I am struggling to set my mind on the Word and on Christ, I just start writing. I write prayers and share with Him, through words on a page, how frustrating it is that my thoughts keep drifting. And slowly, my mind begins to step out of the clouds and I feel more clear and focused.
You can also use a Bible/prayer journal to jot down things that you learn each morning during your time in Scripture, and write and keep track of prayers.
Family Story Journal
Several years back my brother-in-law showed me a book his grandfather had written and given to all of his grandchildren - it was a book about his life, adventures, and learnings. What a cool thing to pass down.
I started writing little bits and pieces of our story in a Google Drive file. Remembering “chapters” in our life and reflecting on those seasons.
It is such a refreshing, sometimes emotional, experience to reflect on past seasons of life - the lessons that were learned and the way God showed us His kindness.
Try it out! Pick a season in your life that was particularly memorable, and start writing about it. Maybe you’ll accumulate a little collection of stories and memories that you can hand down to your kiddos one day 🙂
Artistic Journal
Journals don’t always have to contain words. If you have a creative ich, but don’t get time to draw or paint or doodle with kids running around, having a blank journal nearby that you can grab and draw out your thoughts/feelings might be just what you need. It will give you a chance to let out some creative energy in small bite sized chunks.
Food/Reading/Hobby Journal
We all need a hobby. We all need something that energizes us, relaxes us, and provides an outlet when life gets crazy.
What do you love to do? What gives you energy? Start a journal to keep you accountable to do those things. Document your health journey or your experience learning how to play the guitar. It might sound silly, but it’s often when we take time to jot down and reflect that we see some hidden truth or lesson that would have been bypassed otherwise.
Plus, it will be fun to look back and follow your own journey doing something you truly enjoy!
Dream/Idea Journal
With dried-up oatmeal still splattered on the wall and closets that shoot out lego pieces every time they are opened, it doesn’t always feel like there is much time to dream. But I am convinced that every mama needs to dream. On the really tough days, those dreams are what help us to wake up excited about the day. Your dream probably looks way different than mine - and that is the beauty! God has made us all so different.
Grab a notebook and if you aren’t sure where to begin, start with these questions:
If you could learn anything, what would it be?
What are you good at, but "don't have time" to do anymore?
What have you always been interested in?
What do you want to be true in 5 years? 10?
Line-a-day journaling
This is a simple way to track what happens each day. All that is needed is one sentence at the end of every day to encompass what was done that day, what you felt, or anything important that happened.
The line-a-day system is a fun way to keep track of what is going on in your family. It will be fun to look back in a year or so and see what you were doing/feeling/thinking each day!
Day planning
This is a super practical type of journal, and is just an intentional way to map out what your day will look like. I use this one from Plum Paper and love it. A lot of bullet journalers use the process of bullet journaling for planning and organizing their day, as well. Start your day off with a quick list of what needs to get done, what you want to get done, and what would be fun to do. A day without a plan is like playing pinball without any bumpers, ramps, or targets.
Go start your own journaling journey!
There you have it! 10 journaling techniques you can try out today. There is not much else to say, but I will leave you with this:
“What happens to us is not as important as the meaning we assign to it. Journaling helps sort this out.” - Michael Hyatt
I’m rooting for you (and let me know which journaling method you choose)!
