Clearing our heads and organizing our thoughts
Dear Breasts is launching on Substack this month, so in order to gather some introductory letters to share, several of my lactation colleagues kindly invited me to attend their weekly breastfeeding support groups in hospitals, the JCC and church halls. Wow - did those groups have a lot to say. Our first letter from Beverly has already been posted.
If you are considering writing a letter to your breasts (and sharing it in the comments please) our support groups found five useful themes to help clear their heads and organize their thoughts. We are sure there are more, don’t let this list limit you, but this list may help to get you started:
Write down everything that's on your mind: Sometimes, just putting pen to paper and writing down everything that's on your mind can be incredibly therapeutic. Write down your worries, fears, and concerns. Getting everything out of your head and onto paper can help you to release those thoughts and feelings.
Brainstorm solutions to problems: If you're struggling with a problem or decision, use this letter to brainstorm solutions. Write down all of your options, pros and cons, and any other ideas that come to mind. Seeing everything written down can help you to make sense of the situation and come up with a plan.
Reflect on your emotions: Writing down your emotions can be a helpful way to process them. Write about what you're feeling, why you're feeling that way, and what may have triggered those emotions. This can help you to identify patterns in your emotional life and develop strategies for managing your feelings.
Practice gratitude: Use this letter writing format to capture things you're grateful for. This may help you to focus on the positive things and shift your perspective away from negative thoughts.
Set goals: Use Dear Breasts to set goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term. Write down the steps you need to take to achieve those goals and track your progress along the way. This may help you to stay focused and motivated.
Start thinking about what you want to say and in the meantime, subscribe to read our first letter and participate in our 7-day journaling series.