Journaling Ideas For Homeschooling Moms
Find unusual journaling ideas for homeschooling, along with inspiration for how to start, what to write about and why keeping a journal makes such a difference to your happiness.
“I have kept a journal for years. They are great for letting out anger and all other emotions.
I use mine like I am talking to it – so I rant in it and tell it the good and the bad. It is great for my mental health.”
~ Sheryl, Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group
Journaling For Wellbeing
Fact: Research suggests that keeping a journal can be as effective as going to a counsellor
There are so many ways journaling can make you feel more positive.
For us homeschooling Moms, the responsibility of teaching your child at home can feel overwhelming.
By writing things down, you can take control and make sense of the whirlwind in your head.
It’s also very absorbing, and if you have been trying out the breathing techniques for relaxation you’ll be able to see how your breath naturally slows and responds to the calmness that keeping a notebook brings.
How To Start Journaling
“Last January / February I started journalling; it was literally just a list of what I actually did during a day, to remind myself that I was not a useless failure.”
~ Jeni , Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group
If you have never done this before, a good way to start is by writing your achievements.
You can see what other homeschooling Moms have written and what a difference it makes here.
If you’re wondering what to write, start with the date! Then ask yourself how you feel and what’s on your mind.
Write quickly and don’t worry what it looks like – just get it out there. There are no rules – just do what feels right and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about what someone else might think.
I start mine with a list of my achievements – beginning with getting out of bed!
Which Journal?
It’s really important to choose something that looks inviting and pretty.
Happiness Journal for Homeschooling Moms
Both these Happiness Journals are specially designed for homeschooling Moms, with inspirational quotes handpicked by members of the Courageous Homeschooling Facebook support group as the sayings that most inspire them (I added some flowers too!)
BUY NOW
Happiness Journal
BUY NOW
Please note that the book links on this page are affiliate links so if you buy I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I also use this homeschooling one for general lists and ideas that come to me (including writing the Happiness Challenge):
Homeschooling Journal
BUY NOW
You can see more homeschooling notebooks here.
If you’re wondering what you would write and how would you use it, Angie has these tips:
“Another thing that’s helped me is to write all sorts of positive quotes, sayings, scripture verses, poems – anything beautiful to give me a lift! Some days I don’t have the energy to get a thing done, so I added a list of cleaning chores, household tips for deep cleaning, etc. and I find that when I get down, if I can just get up the strength to do one thing, I feel a little better, which usually leads to another.
Also included are recipes for homemade facial masks and foot scrubs (found on Pinterest). There’s nothing like a little self-pampering to lift your spirits!!”
~ Hugs and love, Angie xx
Pledge Journaling
Monica from the Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group shared one of the best journaling ideas I’ve seen – pledge making.
When you’re homeschooling you are vulnerable. Your parenting is more on view and just the fact that you’ve chosen to teach your children at home can be very threatening to friends and family.
What do you do when people close to you say hurtful things? Perhaps worse, how do you deal with times when your children come home feeling hurt and upset because someone has treated them unfairly?
This article on pledge journaling has a great way of looking at the problem:
“Whatever they did, make a pledge. Promise yourself that you’ll never treat anyone the way they treated you.”
~ Kari Kampakis
Here are some examples of the pledges you can make:
- I pledge not to dismiss someone’s feelings just because I deal with things differently.
- I pledge not to jump to conclusions.
- I pledge to make it easy for people to be themselves around me.
Scrapbook Journaling
There are lots of journaling ideas and ways to use your notebook which will make it fun and something you look forward to every day.
A brilliant idea is junk journaling.
“Here’s my mom’s junk journal. She takes random things and glues pastes and or sews them into the book. She uses coffee and tea to make the pages look old and uses stamps to add depth to the paper.”
~ Angie, Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group
Notebooking and scrapbooking is your happy time. You can make it into a craft by thinking outside the box, like Angie from my Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group has done.
Writing isn’t the only way to express yourself. For extra special journaling ideas, how about:
- Add photos and illustrations
- Write a pretend letter to a friend
- Add quotes, poems, and sayings
- Draw pictures
Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude and being thankful for what you have is one of the loveliest things to write about.
Thinking of what you are grateful for each day is a wonderful way to make yourself happier. It’s too easy to get lost in the daily humdrum and wind-ups so you forget to remember the sunshine and even how amazing it is that you can just run a shower and get yourself a hot coffee.
“I finish everyday thinking about the things I am grateful for – I have found I sleep much better.”
~ Anonymous, Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group
Homeschool Journaling Ideas
“I write words of wisdom that have come to me, that I want to share with others, or just remember later. I have written letters to people who have harmed/hurt me or people I care about, where I express my thoughts to them. These are rarely ever sent, but it is cathartic.
I also use my notes to copy and paste very special and lovely things online friends have said to me, or something they have thanked me for. I also use it to write down special moments I share with children, or things they have said to me. “
~ Lisa, Courageous Homeschooling Facebook group
Art Journaling
And it’s not only us homeschooling Moms who can benefit from this!
Have a look at these lovely art journal ideas and get your child involved too!
Journaling is just one of the 23 Challenges set out in the Happiness Challenge coursebook to bring you the happiness you deserve.
Happiness Challenge for Homeschooling Moms
Please note that the book links on this page are affiliate links so if you buy I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want to remember this? Post this Journaling Ideas page to your favorite Pinterest board!
