If you are a busy mom, you are sure to benefit from journaling. Journaling is a way to focus and reflect, record your life as it is, and take a few well-deserved moments just to reconnect with yourself. According to a New York Times article, the benefits of journaling are plentiful. “Scientific studies have shown it to be essentially a panacea for modern life,” the author writes. “There are the obvious benefits, like a boost in mindfulness, memory and communication skills. But studies have also found that writing in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system, more self-confidence, and a higher I.Q.”
I have handpicked the list of journal ideas below specifically for busy moms. These journals for moms tackle some aspect of life that I believe many moms could benefit from focusing on, and none of them require copious amounts of time. Choose one of these journals and begin a simple habit that could have a profound impact on your emotional health and wellbeing.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.
Affirming Journals for Moms
If you often feel like you focus on your failures or weaknesses as a mom, perhaps you could use an affirming journal. The brand new journal Present Not Perfect for Moms helps you focus on the good in your life as a mother and embrace your imperfections. The beautiful designs, thoughtful prompts, and uplifting quotations will inspire you to take a moment for yourself, to focus on the wonders and joy of motherhood instead of the stress, exhaustion, and pressure.
If you are interested in a free printable journal option, I personally designed the Empowerment Journal for Moms to help moms feel more empowered and less stressed, while focusing on their successes and unique strengths. It is a weekly journal, but it is not dated, so you can start at any point during the year and skip a week without feeling guilty.
Each week, you will have space to:
- Reflect on a question that is designed to focus on something positive about yourself as a mom or woman
- Make a meal plan — a simple way to take a little stress out of your week
- Record something you are grateful for
- Document one bite-sized project or accomplishment you would like to tackle that week
- Brag about a #MomWin that you’re proud of
My hope is that by the end of your year with this journal, you are fully aware of what an amazing person and mother you are! Grab your free copy here.
One a Day Journals for Moms
As a busy mom, you may not have time to sit down and write long journal entries every day. There are two different “one a day” journals that give you a chance to record something quickly. You can get some thoughts down and keep a record of what is going on in your life without having to invest a lot of time.
The Q&A a Day for Moms journal provides a prompt each day, and you keep the journal for five years. My daughter has a journal like this for kids, and since she has re-started the cycle, it has been neat to compare her answers from last year with those from this year. I imagine the same will be true for you as a mom, as you revisit the questions each year and see how your life and children are changing.
If you would rather not answer a specific question, the One Line a Day for Moms journal is set up in the same way, but just with blank lines and no prompts. You are only expected to write one sentence about each day – that’s it! You could also keep this type of journal in a notebook or blank journal of your choice.
A Back-and-Forth Journal Between a Mom and Child
Back-and-forth journals are a wonderful way to reflect on your own life, converse with your child, and create a beautiful family keepsake in the process.
If you have a tween girl, try the highly-rated journal Just Between Us: Mother & Daughter. It is full of engaging prompts, quizzes, and space for open-ended writing and drawing. If you have a son, you might love Mother and Son: Our Back and Forth Journal. The pages include not only quizzes and burning questions about one another, but fun activities such as creating a comic or writing a story together.
Mindfulness Journal
Do you ever feel like your mind is constantly in motion? Like you are always thinking about the next thing (or five) you need to do while being pulled in different directions, either metaphorically or physically? I think this is pretty common for moms, and that’s where a good mindfulness journal comes in.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of your surroundings, feelings, and senses. According to Forbes, practicing mindfulness has been shown to help people reduce anxiety, prevent and treat depression, improve cognition, and reduce distraction. The Mindfulness Journal: Daily Practices, Writing Prompts, and Reflections for Living in the Present Moment provides a daily prompt each day for a year, split up by weekly mindfulness topics. Busy moms can use this reminder each day to take a moment to just be.
Self-Exploration Journal
Sometimes moms begin to lose their identities in motherhood. There is so much more to you than just being a mom, even if your kids feel like your whole world. Start Where You Are is a beloved journal that inspires you to explore who you are as a person, face your fears, and go after your dreams. Meera Lee Patel’s beautiful illustrations and inspirational quotations throughout the journal will offer a lovely escape down an introspective path.
Gratitude Journal
If you ever feel you are in a rut of disappointment or looking forward to the next great thing, perhaps you could use a gratitude journal. Gratitude journals force you to set aside just a few minutes each day to focus on what you have and are grateful for. An article in NPR reveals, “Studies have found that giving thanks and counting blessings can help people sleep better, lower stress and improve interpersonal relationships.”
The Gratitude Journal for Women provides inspiring quotations, plenty of blank space to write, and thoughtful prompts that help you focus on specific things you are grateful for.
Prayer Journal for Moms
I am Catholic, but I am ashamed to admit that outside of Mass, meal prayers, and bedtime prayers with my kids, prayer often takes a backseat in my life. A good prayer journal can remind you to take some time to pray each day. Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus is a devotional written especially for busy moms who just need to take a moment to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with God. The pages provide Scripture, relatable stories and reflections, and writing prompts to help guide your prayer.
I hope one of these journals for moms seems like a great fit for you. Do you have any others to add to the list?
Don’t forget to download your free Empowerment Journal for Moms!
Save this list for later on Pinterest:
