Here be Dragons

On old maps, they used to mark unknown territory with images of beasts and dragons. Motherhood is a lot like living in the land of dragons – uncharted and a little scary at times, but also full of magic and mystery. We can let that be a downer, and focus on all the ways that makes things so hard, or we can see it as an opportunity to blaze our own trail. If you’re with me in the latter, grab your machete and let’s dive in!

I know I might be in the minority, but I LOVED school. Not only did learning come easily to me, there was so much comfort in knowing everything was plotted out for me.

Seeing that in black and white makes my creative side revolt a little, but it’s true.

I was working my way from Point A to Point B with a clear path marked out in between. I knew when I was on track, and I also knew when I was lost in the woods and needed to find the path again.

And I can follow a plan like nobody’s business.

While this worked out perfectly for my post-graduate studies, it woefully underprepared me for life.

More than once, I’ve wished someone would just tell me what to do. Give me my next steps to get somewhere meaningful, whatever that meant.

And that’s the problem – I didn’t know where I wanted to go, I just wanted the comfort of taking some action towards something.

The problem is, action for action’s sake doesn’t lead you to what you want. It leads you to someone else’s end destination.

I’m learning (because it takes a while to un-do programming we’ve practiced again and again, right?) that I’m the best captain of my ship, metaphorically speaking. My first job is to mark where I want to go, and then I get to chart a course towards my destination.

But once you’re out to sea, it’s fraught with complications like unpredictable weather. So, one day at a time, you get to show up and choose what the day holds. How to navigate the specific stretch of ocean in front of you in that day. Someone from the shore doesn’t know all the details, and can’t give you the best advice. But you know because you’re right in the middle of it.

If you’re ready to put on your Captain’s hat, the first order of business is to decide where you want to go. If you’re like me and have relied on others for your next steps, it can be so hard to even know what you want.

A great first step is to start thinking through the 10 journal prompts below to rediscover yourself when you’re feeling lost in the middle of motherhood.

I know that journaling can sound overwhelming when your to-do list is already full. But you don’t need hours – just give yourself 5 minutes to start thinking, one question at a time, and see where it leads.

Armed with this free resource and a 5-minute timer, you’ll be well on your way to exactly where you want to go.