If I don't spend an hour each morning getting my head on straight before the kids are up and going, my day is spent with my head NOT on straight and desperately trying to keep up with them and I enter into the realm of brain fog and burnout.
We all know that we need to fill our cup each day if we expect to have anything to give to others. As a homeschool Momma with 2 busy big boys and one 5 year old girl with special needs under foot constantly, I especially know how dire this is! As of right now, my routine consists of morning prayer (Lord, grant me patience with these babies today and grant them patience with ME!), 15 minutes of "theater of the mind" imagination practice, journaling, and then I set my intentions for the day looking over my schedule to finish it off. (Oh and a packet of Crystal Light Energy in a tall bottle of water. This is of UTMOST importance! Yes, I'm aware caffeine is bad for me.)
I've pretty much always been a journal-keeper. (except for the dark ages of my early 20's where I didn't have a clue who I was or where I was going but we try to push those years to the dark corners of my brain.) I began writing at the age of 12 and it just took hold of me. However, being a mother, wife, homeschooler etc makes for a busy day.
Keeping a journal can feel like ONE MORE THING on the never-ending list and it can quickly feel like a burden. My biggest struggle personally is that I have SO much I want to write about that it overwhelms me and I end up writing NOTHING.
About a year and a half ago a colleague told me about this journal she purchased called the "5 Minute Journal" and how it had changed her life. Really? Sign me up! So, I went to the website and read up on it and it looked great. But I didn't want to have to buy another actual journal because I had just started a new one. (Thank you Target! I love your pretty journals!)
I found a digital download worksheet version and got started the very next day. Now, the idea is to write for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night, but AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! I tweaked it a little bit to my liking, putting the end of the day part at the beginning so that instead of writing about my day at night, I am writing about yesterday today. Make sense? I made my own little bookmark to help me: (It's not gorgeous, but then again I never thought I'd be sharing it with the world!)
I can tell you that this simple act each day has rewired my brain in such a big way. There are days that it is easy and I can quickly come up with amazing things and things to find gratitude in. Then there are days where it's incredibly hard and my answers end up sarcastic or snarky. There have also been days where I write the date at the top and sit there for 5 minutes staring at the page before I close the book and move on with my life. It's all OKAY!
The weekly challenge part has been incredible for me. I can make new goals (I.e. smile more, be more playful with the kids, find joy in everything, give more love to husband) and then throughout the week I can update on how I am doing, how I might NOT be doing as well as any great experiences I have had with it.
I challenge you to try this! It can be a lot of fun and looking back through your journal can provide incredible insight and perspective. What are some of your "Mom Culture" habits that keep you going? Please tell me in the comments!
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