Guest Post by Rebecca

There are so many things I did throughout my life to make myself feel better. Shop. Eat. Exercise. Talk to a friend. Listen to music. Eat. But writing was the only thing I did that lasted. And it made me better.

In my most lost and lonely moments, my pen was my only friend. My notebook was the permanent record of my inner most thoughts. I turned to writing when I felt no one else could possibly understand. When I felt judged and ostracized, I turned to my journal. When I felt ashamed of myself and my horrible thoughts, I would empty my brain frantically on to a blank page. When I was done, I felt free and physically lighter. I felt like I just let out all the pain and anger I had been holding in.

Over the years, my writing would guide me through the worst of times and the best of times. I would write when I had the worst day and I thought I could no longer carry on. I would write when I was so happy about the way my life was going. This constant vice made me better. One constant habit kept me grounded and I had something to show for it.

Looking back over the past 13 years, my writing has changed. My handwriting that was once furious and scribbled now looks even and peaceful. My depressed nonsensical jots have turned into a wise reflection of all I have learned. Reading what I have wrote is one of the ways I remind myself of how far I have come. I battled so many demons and somehow came out of the other side alive and whole.

I am so thankful I turned to writing and I am proud of the bumpy journey I have traveled, pen and paper in hand.

I encourage anyone to pick up a pen, pencil, crayon-whatever you can. Write down what you are feeling. Keep a journal. Even email yourself (I do this all the time). Removing your inner thoughts and recording your feelings is therapeutic and helps to make sense of your emotions. It is this that makes us grow as women and as Mothers. Writing helps you learn from someone who knows you best, yourself.

-Rebecca