5 Signs You Might Be a Crispy Mom (+ A Free Journaling Kit to Help You Recover)

ByKristy Wessel Updated on

How Journaling for Burnout Can Help Crispy Moms

Have you ever felt “crispy”? Not fully burnt out, but definitely fried around the edges, short-tempered, overstimulated, and one snack request away from snapping? You’re not alone. Many moms live in this messy middle ground: still holding everything together, but running on fumes inside.

That’s what I call being a Crispy Mom. And if you’ve been there (or you’re there right now), I made something for you (read to the end).

journaling for burnout: overwhelmed tilting backward in chair with a book laying on her face

What Does “Crispy Mom” Mean?

Crispy isn’t a clinical term. It’s the way so many of us describe the point just before full burnout. It’s when:

  1. Your brain feels like it’s buzzing 24/7
  2. You’re so overstimulated you can’t hear yourself think
  3. The smallest question (“What’s for dinner?”) makes you want to cry
  4. You go to bed exhausted but wake up just as tired
  5. You find yourself snapping at the people you love most

It’s not that you’re failing. It’s that you’re carrying too much. And this is when journaling for burnout can help most.

Signs You Might Be a Crispy Mom

You might be crispy if:

  • You answer “What’s for dinner?” with “I don’t know. Vibes?”
  • You can’t decide if you need to cry, scream, or reorganize your closet
  • You used to have routines. Now you just have alarms
  • You feel like you’re doing everything and nothing at the same time
  • Even small requests make you feel like you’re about to shatter

Crispy is the stage before burnout. You’re still functional, but your edges are frayed.

Why Journaling Helps Crispy Moms

When your mental load is sky-high, sitting down to write might feel impossible. But journaling for burnout can be one of the gentlest, fastest ways to give yourself a moment of breathing room.

Just 10 minutes with a pen can:

  • Clear the swirl of thoughts out of your head
  • Help you name what you’re feeling without judgment
  • Remind you that you are more than the to-do lists and the noise

The Science Behind Journaling for Burnout

Studies show that expressive writing helps regulate the nervous system, lowers stress hormones, and improves mood. For overwhelmed moms, journaling isn’t about writing something “beautiful,” it’s about giving your mind a safe place to put down what it’s carrying. Even a few minutes can help you reset.

A Free Journaling Kit for Crispy Moms

Because I know how hard it is to start when you’re crispy, I created a free printable kit for overwhelmed moms. It includes:

  • 10 gentle journaling prompts for stress and burnout recovery
  • A printable Needs Inventory to help you notice what you’re craving (spoiler: it’s not always sleep)
  • A printable Feelings Inventory so you can name what’s really going on
  • A soft reminder that you deserve a space that’s just for you

Read more: 👉 Feeling Crispy? Start Here

My Story

I created this because I was one bad day away from dissolving into a laundry pile and never coming out. As a working mom, writer, and recovering over-functioner, I know what it feels like to be pulled in every direction until you forget what your own voice sounds like.

This little journaling ritual gave me permission to sit with myself, even when I felt like a mess. It reminded me that I exist beyond the roles, beyond the tasks, beyond the endless noise. I hope it does the same for you.

FAQ About Journaling for Burnout

Is journaling good for burnout recovery?

Yes. Journaling is EXCELLENT for burnout recovery. It gives you space to process emotions, release mental clutter, and reconnect with your needs. It helps you catch burnout before it gets worse.

How can moms find time to journal?

Start small. Ten minutes is enough. Keep your notebook by your bed, in the kitchen, or even in the car. You don’t need perfect conditions.

What if I’ve never journaled before?

That’s okay. You don’t need to be a writer to journal. Prompts make it simple to get started, even if you’ve never tried it before.

Final Note

If you’ve been feeling crispy, please know you’re not alone, and you don’t have to power through in silence. This kit is just one small step, but it might be the start of finding your way back to yourself.

✨ Click here to download the free kit and begin again, even if it’s been forever.

Writer, Poet, Journaling for Healing

Kristy Wessel is a writer, poet, and creative guide based in Minnesota. After experiencing a mental health crisis in 2018, she discovered journaling as a lifeline- a practice that helped her untangle anxiety, find clarity, and begin again. Out of that journey she founded Write to Heal, a space for burned-out, overwhelmed people to reconnect with themselves through words. Her work has appeared in The Loft Literary Center's Blog, Hippocampus Magazine, and Commoners Zine. When she isn’t writing, Kristy can often be found by the lake with her family, tending her garden, or filling yet another notebook with reflections.

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