Rediscovering Your Authentic Self: Art Journal Exercise for Moms
If you're feeling stuck in motherhood and are ready to rediscover who you are, this art journal therapy exercise is just what you need!
Whether you're dealing with pregnancy, postpartum, babies, toddlers, or school-aged children, it's common for moms to lose touch with who they are. I hear from my clients that they feel like “mom” is all they are and it’s hard to find anything outside of that to describe about themselves.
Art journal therapy will help you rediscover your authentic and badass self through creativity and mindfulness. By understanding the parts of yourself that are lost or stuck in motherhood, you'll be able to stop the second guessing and finally feel like you are doing enough.
No more feeling like you've lost yourself. You deserve to know that there isn’t anything wrong with you and that you are doing your best.
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”
― Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
I'm Kayla, and I have been helping moms get unstuck with expressive art therapy for years.
I am sharing this with you so that you can experience what therapeutic art journaling looks like, and maybe pique your interest to start a regular practice of creative self-care. You can read the directions below.
Art Therapy Supplies:
Art Journal (I use this one)
Pens (these are my absolute fave)
Collage Materials
Scraps of paper
Old Magazines
Stickers (my clients love these)
Glue
Scissors
Expressive Art Therapy for Authenticity in Motherhood
I invite you to explore this art journal exercise with me - it can be powerful. Here are the steps:
Brain Dump + Sentence Stems
Guided Visualization (Audio Recording)
Art Journal Prompt
Journal Prompts
Closing
Brain Dump + Sentence Stems
A brain dump is the act of transferring all your thoughts onto paper to declutter your mind and reduce stress. For busy moms, it can help prioritize tasks, make room for mental clarity, and create calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
Write down these sentence starters, and then finish the sentence with your first thought, your very first thought.
My intention for today is…
Authenticity to me means…
When it comes to BEING AUTHENTIC
I think I should…
I think I shouldn’t…
I would like to…
I don’t want to…
I feel…
Every time I am actually BEING AUTHENTIC I’m convinced that…
If I were honest with others about who I really am, they would think that…
If I were honest with myself about who I really am, I would know that...
Authentic Self Guided Visualization for Moms
Art + Writing Journal Prompt
ART JOURNAL PROMPT: Create a collage representing your motherhood, your authentic self and what you found in the meditation.
JOURNAL PROMPT: Write about your identity as "mom," your authentic self, and what you found in the meditation.
Reflective Writing
Take a moment to reflect and answer these prompts in your journal next to your art-making/journal.
Give this journal page a title.
Six words that come to mind when looking at your page.
What will you be taking away from this process?
Name one way you can be more authentic as a busy mom this week by honouring your authentic self?
P.S. If you are a mom curious about how art journaling helps you cope, I've got the ✨perfect✨ resource for you. The Motherload Membership is THE place to learn about real self-care, what gets in the way and how to make creativity a regular practice. I will teach you my step-by-step signature method of therapeutic art journaling even if you're "too busy" and never get “me” time (no artist or creativity experience needed).
Want to know the details? Check out my therapeutic art journaling membership here.
