A Journal Just for Me

Do you ever come across a book title that feels like it’s speaking directly to you, your life, and circumstances? I experienced this very spark recently when I stumbled upon Anne Marie O’Connor’s The Mindfulness Journal for Busy Moms published by Centennial Books. Promising “five-minute breaks to find your inner calm” on the cover, I needed to check this out.

With two small children and a #WeeklyWellness2021 challenge to increase wellness, self-love, and mindfulness in a new way each week of the year, this guided journal was just for me. I thought it appropriate to spend some extra time leading up to Mother’s Day reading, reflecting, and journaling through this resource. Here’s how it went:

Bound together beautifully, the first part of the 144-page book includes artfully designed guides for regaining balance in an array of topics from mindfulness and decluttering to organization and everything in-between. Tips for fighting stress and anxiety, do-anywhere relaxation, body-body connection, conscious cooking, and digital detox tips were a few favorites of mine.  

Each topic reads like a thoughtful magazine article with concrete bullet points and stunning imagery. A coffee-table resource, I plan to keep this book within reach throughout my wellness year and beyond! O’Connor has worked as a writer and editor with countless A-list magazines throughout her career, which really shows through in the book!

The latter part of the book contains a dozen or journal prompts curated especially for mothers and their daily challenges, emotions, and pace of life. O’Connor points out that when the world seems like it’s spinning out of control, taking time to focus on the present and reflect on what matters most can help, even in five-minute increments. The book concludes with coloring and doodle pages for relaxation and creativity.

Week 17 of Weekly Wellness: Buff & Glow Exfoliation Mask

My Experience:

I’m a big believer in putting pen to paper and goal setting. For me, it helps bring clarity to mind and priorities to focus. Both a relaxing and encouraging ritual, journaling and goal setting often are skipped these days when diaper changes and toddler tantrums are center stage for most of the day.

The end of the day for any mom brings utter exhaustion emotionally, physically, and mentally—so staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen to reflect seems daunting to say the least. That’s why I loved using this guide to make the journal process easy and fun.

Each journal prompt page is simple, easy, and completely approachable. I focused on two this week: my idea of the perfect day, as well as what I’d like my life to look like 10 years from now. Pausing, complementing, and dreaming lit up parts of me that have been extinguished for a while. A wellness week win! I’m looking forward to completing more of the journal and also plan on gifting it in the near future.

Cost: $16.99

Available: Amazon.com

I’d love to hear how you practiced self-care this week! Do you journal? Tag me on Instagram @SLCBeautyBabe or @SpaandBeautyToday with tips and suggestions for next week.

[Courtesy image]

Alisha Racker’s beauty career has spanned over a decade as she's worked as a master esthetician, skin care PR-pro and freelance writer. She lives in the beautiful mountains of Salt Lake City with her husband and daughter. Follow her on Instagram: @alisharacker