Realistic Self-Care for Moms through Journaling with Abby Dosen
Today, I’m chatting with Abby Dosen—mom of three and author of the brand new book Realistic Self-Care for Moms: A Guided Journal for Taking Care of You While Taking Care of Them. Her journey from scribbling in a notebook to publishing a full-on self-care journal is inspiring (and super relatable).
If you’ve ever felt like journaling sounds nice in theory but just isn't realistic in your busy day-to-day life, Abby gets it. And more importantly, she’s here to show you that it is doable—without needing a candle-lit desk, color-coded pens, or even more than 60 seconds a day.
In this episode, we will cover:
Why journaling can be a powerful tool for postpartum recovery and emotional well-being.
How first-time moms can create a simple and sustainable self-care practice through writing.
How Abby’s book walks you through journaling to support all your needs as a new mom
… and a whole lot more!
From Chaos to Clarity: How Journaling Became Abby’s Lifeline
Abby is deep in the toddler trenches with three little girls under five. So when she says she needed a form of self-care that didn’t require a babysitter or a spa day? We feel that. She started journaling as a way to process all the big, messy emotions of motherhood—and what started as quick notes on paper slowly turned into the foundation for her book.
Her biggest takeaway from years of journaling?
📓 It’s powerful to look back and see how far you’ve come—what used to feel impossible might be second nature now. That progress is easy to forget in the day-to-day grind, but when it’s written down, it becomes a tangible reminder of your growth.
"I Don’t Have Time to Journal"—Let’s Talk About That
Abby breaks down the biggest journaling roadblock for moms: time. But she’s not here for guilt or unrealistic expectations. Instead, she encourages moms to:
Start small: Try just one line a day—even a sentence fragment. No deep thoughts or poetic prose required.
Drop the perfectionism: That cute journal from Target? It’s okay if the handwriting gets messy or you skip a day (or week).
Make it work for your routine: Abby shares how her journaling habit has shifted—from nap time to bedtime—depending on the season. And if you’re a working parent? A line in the car or on a lunch break totally counts.
She reminds us that flexibility is key in motherhood. Routines change, energy fluctuates, but self-care can still have a place—even if it looks different every week.
What’s Inside the Book?
This isn’t just a pretty journal. It’s a guided experience that walks you through all the layers of your self-care—not just bubble baths and yoga (though those are nice too).
Each chapter focuses on a specific type of need:
Basic needs (think: sleep, nutrition, hydration)
Social needs
Personal needs
Fulfillment needs
Every section follows a powerful three-part structure:
Let’s Reflect – Fun quizzes, this-or-that prompts, and thoughtful check-ins
Let’s Visualize – Journaling exercises to imagine what your ideal day or month could look like
Let’s Grow – Action steps to help you actually implement what you’re learning
Abby describes it as a mix of your favorite childhood magazine quizzes + real-life mom wisdom + gentle accountability. You can go at your own pace and take the whole year if you want—no pressure.
Why It’s Perfect for New Moms
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was when Abby talked about how much identity shifts after becoming a mom—whether you notice it right away or not. Her journal offers a gentle, guided way to reconnect with yourself through those early, blurry postpartum days.
Instead of rushing to “bounce back,” this book invites you to check in with your needs, get honest about how you’re really doing, and slowly rebuild your sense of self—one small step (or one line) at a time.
📖 Grab Abby’s book:
Realistic Self-Care for Moms: A Guided Journal for Taking Care of You While Taking Care of Them
📍 Order from Amazon with my affiliate link!
💬Connect with Abby:
Want to make postpartum even easier?
Download The New Mom Reset: Simple Steps to Feel Like Yourself Again for practical tips, emotional support, and everything you need to prioritize yourself!
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