Free Journaling Prompt Workbook

Hey Mama,

I made something for you. Something to help you sort through the mental chaos, the emotional clutter, and the never-ending to-do list that lives rent-free in your brain. It’s a free reflection journal, The Burnout Recovery Workbook For Moms, with 52 questions designed to help you get back in touch with yourself, one page at a time. Because motherhood has a way of swallowing us whole, and before we know it, we’re left wondering, “Wait… who even *am* I anymore?”

So, here’s the deal—I’m not just throwing this journal at you and disappearing into the abyss. I’ll be answering one of these prompts every Friday, right here, for the next year. Because if I’m asking you to do the work, I’m going to do it too.

The first prompt is two questions that are really just different angles. You can answer one, both, or some version that better fits where you are in your journey. Maybe it’s not about what changed but why it changed. Maybe you’re holding onto certain parts of yourself for dear life while other parts feel unrecognizable. There’s no wrong way to do this—just put down what you need to say.

In this article:

Who was I before I became a mom?

What aspects of my personality have stayed the same, and what has changed the most?

Benefits of Journaling for Moms

Who was I before I became a mom?

Before becoming a mom, I was a fully autonomous human being. (Imagine that.) I traveled a lot, tackled house projects at my own pace, and—dare I say it?—I was pretty lazy compared to the breakneck speed of motherhood. 

• If I wanted to sleep in, I would.

• If I wanted to waste an afternoon binge-watching a show, I could.

• If I wanted to start painting a room at 10 PM just because the mood struck, I did.

I was also a party girl for almost two decades. Drinking, smoking, and doing recreational drugs. If there was a fun but slightly reckless thing to do, I was probably doing it. I lived for the nights out, the spontaneous trips, and the absolute refusal to take anything seriously. 

I was the fun girl. The one people called when they wanted to escape their own reality. And while I have no regrets, I also have no envy for that version of myself anymore. That life was thrilling, but it was also empty. A never-ending loop of chasing a good time, filling my life with distractions, and waking up the next day with hangovers that only more partying could fix.

I was also just a little too focused on my romantic entanglements. All of my time, energy, and yes, even money went into relationships and fixing incompetent men like it was my full-time job. Looking back? It was exhausting in every way imaginable and a waste of my youth and resources. I should’ve charged an hourly rate for all the therapy-adjacent work I did on men who barely deserved a second date. 

It’s no wonder I take smart money moves so seriously now.

What aspects of my personality have stayed the same, and what has changed the most?

I’d like to say my personality hasn’t changed that much. After all, I still have the same interests, the same sarcasm, the same love of a good budget hack. But my husband, friends, and family would probably have a good laugh before telling you otherwise. 

People love to act like the moment you pee on a stick or push out a baby, you instantly become a mother. Like some magical switch flips in your brain, and suddenly, you’re transformed. Sure, you have a kid, but the reality? The shift into motherhood can be slow, disorienting, and—if you’re anything like me—even two years later, still kind of unbelievable. 

The transition isn’t instant. It creeps up on you, piece by piece, until one day, you realize that every choice you make, every thought you have, is tethered to this tiny human who relies on you for everything. And everything I do has a different weight. 

• The financial decisions I make aren’t just about my future—they’re about his future. 

• Taking care of my health isn’t just for me—it’s so I can be here for him. 

• Even the way I interact with the world has shifted because I’m constantly aware that I’m shaping how he will interact with the world, too. 

So, now, I’m more serious, more intentional, more dedicated. Life is no longer a series of impulsive projects and last-minute adventures. It’s more like a mission to make sure he is set up for a better life than what his parents had, including creating generational wealth with low-to-middle incomes.

What has changed the most? I’m no longer obsessed with my romantic life. Instead of pouring all I have into a grown man, I’m boy-crazy about my son (but not in the weird, creepy #boymom way). My marriage comes second to my son—and my husband would say the same thing about himself. We are both fully in the trenches of raising this tiny human, making sure he gets everything he needs.

Related: Why We Need to Give The Two Types of Boy Moms a Damn Break 

But here’s what hasn’t changed: I’m still me. I still want things for myself. I still believe in doing things my way, even when the world tells me I should be doing it differently. Motherhood didn’t erase me—it just redefined me. 

Benefits of Journaling for Moms

Now, it’s your turn. Who were you before motherhood? What’s changed, and what’s still the same? If you’re ready to dig in, grab the free journal and start writing. Let’s do this together.

And if you need a little extra motivation to put pen to paper, consider this: Studies have shown that journaling can: 

• Reduce stress 

• Improve emotional regulation 

• Strengthen immune function

According to research published in the National Institutes of Health, expressive writing can lead to better mental well-being and increased resilience. So, this isn’t just about self-reflection—it’s about taking care of yourself, too.