Mothering Yourself in May: A Journey Through Journaling, Creativity, and Compassion

May brings with it a tender bouquet of memories and traditions—school picnics spread across sun-drenched lawns, summer vacation plans dancing just over the horizon, and graduation ceremonies filled with bittersweet pride. And, of course, there is Mother’s Day—a day dedicated to the women who give and give and give. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: what if this May you mothered yourself?

You don’t have to have an occasion to treat yourself breakfast in bed or a sweetly wrapped gift. It’s time to pamper yourself. You don’t have to wait for someone else to see your worth—you can honor it right now. With a gentle spirit, you can begin the beautiful and empowering practice of self-mothering.

Journaling: The Sacred Act of Listening to Yourself

Start small. The idea of mothering yourself can feel foreign at first—especially if you’re someone who’s spent most of your life tending to others. That’s why journaling can be a soft, accessible first step. Each time you open your journal, you’re making a declaration: I matter. My story matters. My feelings are worth holding.

Try beginning each morning with a short journaling session…five minutes can produce powerful results. Light a candle, pour a cup of tea, and ask yourself:

• How do I feel today—really?

• What do I need in this moment?

• What would make me feel safe, seen, and supported?

This isn’t about writing beautifully. It’s about writing honestly. As you write, you may be surprised by how much of your inner landscape reveals itself—longings you’ve silenced, fatigue you’ve brushed aside, sparks of joy waiting to be reignited.

Journaling isn’t just reflection. It’s an opportunity to have a conversation with yourself on the page. It’s a form of re-parenting, of giving your inner child a space to be heard. And as you listen, you learn to love yourself more fully.

Creativity as Care

Mothering yourself doesn’t only mean resting and tending to your needs—it also means allowing joy, inspiration, and play back into your life. Think of all the ways mothers nurture their children’s creativity: finger paints, bedtime stories, kitchen dance parties. What if you gave yourself that same freedom?

Take time to begin right now to give yourself permission to indulge your creative spirit. You don’t need an elaborate art studio or perfect conditions. A notebook and pen. A quiet afternoon. Some music and movement. A pot of soil waiting for seeds. Creativity doesn’t have to be big to be transformative.

Try this prompt in your journal: If I could spend a day doing anything—just for fun—what would it be?
Then, schedule time—yes, actually put it on your calendar—to do one of those things. And make it non-negotiable. Keep that appointment with your creativity.

This is not frivolous. It’s medicine. Creativity is how we reconnect with parts of ourselves we’ve long buried under obligation and routine. It reminds us that we are more than what we produce—we are beings of wonder and possibility.

Inspiration Is All Around You

When we feel burned out or unseen, inspiration can feel elusive. Often, it’s hiding in plain sight. Look to nature’s blooming—mirroring the life we’re being invited to reclaim. Notice how the trees hold their blossoms. How the birds sing without apology. How the sun shows up every morning, without needing permission.

Let the outside world remind you of what’s possible inside.

Make it a practice to find one thing each day that inspires you and write it down. A phrase in a book. A kind gesture from a stranger. The color of the sky. These small sparks of beauty add up—and suddenly, your life starts to shimmer with hope again.

The Power of Hope and Healing

For many of us, the idea of nurturing ourselves feels uncomfortable. We’ve been conditioned to believe that care should only flow outward. But the truth is: the more deeply you learn to care for yourself, the more genuinely you can show up for others.

Think of self-mothering as an investment in your own inner ecosystem. Every act of compassion, every moment of rest, every spark of inspiration—you are replenishing what the world takes.

You don’t need to wait for anyone to hand you flowers. Go buy the bouquet yourself. Place it in a vase where you’ll see it each morning. Let it be a symbol: I am worthy of beauty. I am worthy of care.

When you mother yourself—when you journal your way back to truth, create just because it brings you joy, allow yourself to be inspired—you’re telling the world that you refuse to be overlooked, even by yourself.

You Are the Gift

Today, be the mother you may have always needed. Be the mother your current self needs most.

Because you are the gift.

And the more you mother yourself, the more you will begin to bloom—not just for a day in May, but for a lifetime.

If you need a more structured nudge, book a Soul Story Activation Session so that we can talk about how writing opens you up to discovering self-care and soul-deep restoration. You’ll learn simple tips for carving out time to do what you love—and begin to see that mothering yourself isn’t selfish. It’s foundational.