How Art Journaling Lightens the Mental Load of Motherhood (Even If You’re Not ‘Creative’)
You, the Mom Who Doubts Her Creativity
I hear it from my clients all the time: I’m not artistic, but I like creativity. And I get it. Most of us had our artistic confidence graded out of us in elementary school – taught that “good” art looked a certain way and that if we couldn’t draw a perfect still life, we might as well not bother.
Then came adulthood, where capitalism whispered (or, let’s be real, shouted), If you’re going to spend time on something, it better be productive. Hobbies became “side hustles,” and creative play got filed under frivolous.
So… I'd be hard-pressed to call myself an artist (though I am coming around to the idea). I self-identify as a mom, maker, creator, photographer, and helper. But an artist? That still feels like a stretch.
I like to create - not to make something gorgeous or even sellable - but to express myself. I create to process my emotions, to move them out of my body and onto paper.
The Motherload Membership offers a space to release, reflect, and feel supported - exactly what I’m talking about here. It’s a space where you can unload your worries, emotions, and creative blocks, without the pressure of “doing it right.” So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re not quite enough, or like your creativity is tucked away, just know you’re not alone.
Oh, hey! By the way, I'm Kayla. I'm a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps millennial moms like you reclaim their authentic selves and find some sanity in the chaos of motherhood through therapeutic art.
So, if you're wondering where I fit into all this creative journaling magic... well, I’m your guide! Think of me as your creative (and slightly quirky) coach, helping you navigate those messes—emotional and otherwise—with a bit of art and a lot of heart.
A Mom’s Inner Critic and the Struggle for Time
Sometimes, I don’t like what I’ve created in my art journal. Sometimes, it's even ugly. (Because, emotions can be ugly.) And then there’s the challenge of finding time – between kids, running my private practice, life, and everything else, carving out a moment for myself isn’t always easy.
This is where my art journal comes in. It doesn’t judge, it doesn’t demand perfection. It just exists as a safe place to pour out whatever needs to be released in whatever time I can find.
I might follow a guided meditation, I create, I reflect, I write. Whether it’s an hour or just twenty minutes, it’s enough.
It’s a place where you can show up as you are, quiet the noise of motherhood without the pressure of productivity or perfection.
The end goal isn’t beauty or composition – it’s release, process, and clarity. Some pages feel chaotic. Some feel deeply personal. And some transport me. Like this one: an essence painting of an open field in Cypress Hills, SK, inspired by a guided meditation.
A place where I feel calm, clear, and truly myself.
4 Reasons Why Art Journaling Is The Antidote to Mom Mental Load
As a mom, you're managing a whirlwind of emotions, guilt when you yell, holding space for tiny humans, managing the invisible workload of family life, and – oh yeah – trying to maintain some semblance of self.
Journaling isn't about adding another thing to your to-do list; it's THE THING that is going to give you life to make the to-do just more manageable and kids' emotions less overstimulating.
#1 - Emotional Regulation
Expressing yourself doesn't require hours of free time. Even five minutes is a start. Don’t have 5 minutes? Well, that’s a larger issue – I might suggest some reflection on how you can FIND the time. Prioritize yourself. You are worth it.
In The Motherload Membership, we explore tools and creative practices that support emotional regulation, helping you process and release what’s weighing you down. Whether it's through art, writing, or simple reflections, the space is designed to help you connect with your emotions, instead of bottling them up.
#2 - No Rules, Just Emotional Release
Your art journal doesn't have rules. It doesn't need to be pretty. It just needs to hold you (and all of your human messy feelings).
The same goes for The Motherload Membership - it's a place for you to be yourself without the pressure to perform, or strive for anything beyond self-expression. You don’t need to be anything but you.
#3 - Calming the Mom Chaos
Slowing down to create in your journal can help calm the chaos of motherhood. It's a chance to pause, breathe, and process the emotions that come with the territory.
The Motherload Membership offers space to pause too. In between the chaos of family life, there’s room for you to breathe, reflect, and reset. It’s not about doing more; it’s about giving yourself the grace to slow down and be present.
#4 - Rediscover Yourself Beyond Motherhood
Amid the demands of family life, art journaling can be a powerful way to reconnect with your authentic self. It's a space to explore, experiment, and rediscover the parts of you that may have gotten lost in the shuffle.
In The Motherload Membership, we nurture that reconnection with the parts of yourself that might have been buried under piles of laundry, endless to-do lists, and other people’s needs. It’s a brave space for rediscovery and reclaiming your sense of self.
So, mamas, don't let the mental load weigh you down. Embrace the power of art journaling and watch as it becomes the antidote to your overwhelm.
How to Make Time for Creativity As a Mom (Even If You're Drowning in To-Do Lists)
I can imagine, mama. The to-do lists, the endless demands, the guilt-inducing social media – it can all feel like a relentless onslaught, leaving little room for the things that truly nourish us. But I'm here to tell you, your creativity deserves a fighting chance.
Instead of succumbing to the "I don't have time" narrative, let's get a little more creative, shall we?
Where are you leaking time on things that don't nourish you?
What tiny pocket of your day could be reclaimed for yourself?
What would happen if you gave yourself just five minutes of creative breathing room?
Five minutes may not seem like much, but it can be the difference between feeling frazzled and finding a moment of calm. Use that time to doodle, write a poem, or simply stare out the window and breathe.
And if your brain is still resisting, imagine what you would create if you had 20 uninterrupted minutes. A whole world of possibility awaits.
How to Get Started With Art Journaling
Try these creative art journal practices:
Essence Painting: Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let a place, emotion, or memory appear in your mind. Then, paint or sketch what comes up.
Color Mapping: Assign colors to your emotions and fill a page with them.
Collage Therapy: Rip up magazines, grab stickers, use washi tape—whatever helps you visually express your mood.
Pictured below: mixed media (paper, paint, stickers, magazines), pencil crayon, pastels, watercolour, acrylic, and ripped up magazines and glue.
Need Some Journal Prompts?
Use these art journal prompts:
What color is your day today?
What color is your happiness?
What color is your stress?
Where do you feel most at peace?
List three little wins from the last week. What shape and color would these be?
Ready to Go Deeper? Join The Motherload Waitlist
If you want more guidance in using expressive art to actually feel like yourself again, my membership program The Motherload is designed for you. No fluff. No “just be positive” nonsense. Just real tools to help you regulate, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
Follow Kayla on her Instagram account @kayla.huszar for mom life reality and tips!
Disclaimer: This site contains some affiliate links. I get a little moola in exchange for creating this content and you get cool book and product recommendations at no extra cost to you!
This information is for educational purposes only. Kayla cannot provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique situation or circumstances. Therefore, nothing on this page or website should replace therapeutic recommendations or personalized advice. If you require such services, please consult with a medical or therapeutic provider to determine what's best for you. Kayla cannot be held responsible for your use of this website or its contents. Please never disregard or delay seeking medical or therapeutic treatment because of something you read or accessed through this website.
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