Journaling: My Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with journaling. As in, I LOVE the idea of it: pick the prettiest one, get my special pen, sit in a quiet space, then climb so far into my head that I don’t know what to write, freeze, and end up reinforcing my belief that I’m bad at journaling. 

I want to do it. 

I want to be good at it. 

I want to be consistent with it. 

But most of all, I want to feel calm. centered and super Zen in the moment while I'm doing it (movie-montage style). And if I'm honest, a want it to look like those journals too, my clear, crisp first grade teacher handwriting effortlessly flowing from my hand. 

I mean, talk about setting myself up for an unrealistic expectation, right?! 

So when I met Allie Mirosevic, a Pandemic mama (x2) who said she supported herself through severe post-partum depression by journaling, my ears perked up.

I asked all the obvious questions. How did you even find time for journaling? Didn’t it feel like just one more thing to do in your already crazy-busy days? What journal did you find that really worked for you? 

Her answer? “I didn’t. I designed my own.”

Allie joined me on the podcast to share how her journal breaks all the rules, helping moms like you (um, me)  unload our ‘stuff’ without any of the self-imposed journaling expectations.

And then she said the words I half-expected and half-dreaded, “I’ll send you one! You can try it out.” 

Inner journaling demons be darned, “Ok” I replied, “I’ll give it another shot.”

First things first, it’s is a special kind of pretty. And I have my special pen. But beyond that, here’s how it goes.

Sometimes I journal before bed now. Sometimes I don't. And it's okay. 

Sometimes I have a lot to put on the page. And sometimes I don't. And it's okay. 

Sometimes I find myself in that calm, centered, safe space of unloading and sometimes I make my grocery list so I can sleep without trying to remember it. And that’s okay too! 

Motherhood is an evolutionary journey with twists and turns. Sometimes we are high and loving life, so proud of ourselves and our kids. And other times we are exhausted, overwhelmed, struggling, scared and worried because we can't control outcomes. Both have a place in this journal. 

Listen to the full episode Quick & Easy Journaling Tips for Busy Moms with Allie Mirosevic to hear our full conversation and perhaps you'll start putting pen to paper!

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed is mom to three girls, a Vermont based Early Childhood Educator, Collaborative Parenting Coach, and the founder of Core4Parenting. She is the passionate mastermind behind the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™, a birth-to-five, soul and science based framework that empowers toddler parents and educators  to turn tantrums into teachable moments. Through keynotes, teacher training, and her top-ranking podcast, Transforming the Toddler Years, she’s teaching the 5 Executive Functioning Skills kids need to navigate our ever-changing world.