I want to write all the time

Today I’m writing a personal catch up. A sort of newsletter that I’d write to any of you if we were to exchange voice messages. Near the end, I’ll give you an update on the magazine.

Dear friend,

To be honest, I just want to do this. I want to write for Motherhood Minute all the time.

If you didn’t read it in the emails before, I’ve spent the past month learning to rebuild my definitions of health and rest. It got to a point where I was stuck in adrenal mode and despair because I couldn’t come down. Everything felt like a crisis at work and home, which led me to medical leave.

In the past couple weeks, I’m seeing progress and trying not to rush it.

My calendar is getting busier with doctor appointments and reclaiming my responsibilities in parenting and managing the house. It can feel overwhelming sometimes to see the full calendar that was mostly blank for May, but ultimately, I think these are all good things.

Things are shifting.

When I returned to work part-time, I realized how hard it is to not be working on Motherhood Minute instead. I don’t make much money on these personal projects (about $200 a year) and all of those “sales” go right back into hosting summits or technology hosting fees. Creative dreams come true, so I’ll tuck this thought into my back pocket for now.

Getting back into creative work was equivalent to wandering through the deep winter forest fogs you’d find in the PNW corner of the United States. It chills you to the bone and the moisture can feel suffocating. I was deeply immersed in brain fog, which has never felt easy to cure in depression. It was there and then it began to lift.

Talking about mental health online still feels risky in 2026.

I’ve had concerns about how my public catalog of mental health healing could potentially affect my career opportunities. I see the Linkedin thought-leader posts and the news headlines that all point to a better future for reducing mental health stigma in the workplace, however, I also see the countless stories (particularly from women and mothers) who share their struggles and end up being let go after their medical leave has ended.

Here are some of the benefits I’ve seen from being transparent about mental health online so far:

The network I’ve been slowly building in this community has been an anchor of hope for myself, especially when times have felt hard.

The difficult circumstances I find myself in eventually fuel me to find creative solutions in mental health care. It continually surprises me how God brings me to the right people at the right time, who want the same thing I do: to lower the barriers of mental health resources so mothers can experience healing.

Summer is creeping into our lives with a flighty weather pattern. My daughter is out of school but also still going to childcare on a full-time schedule. One day we’re wearing sweaters and jeans and the next we’re in sundresses.

Over the past year I’ve been in a county leadership development program and I graduated from that last week! Our group project was connecting with Bremerton Foodline to create awareness for little neighborhood food pantries. After many pivots, we were able to find a group that built a pantry, which we sanded and painted, and prepped for install outside of the food bank

This location was particularly significant because it allows food to be accessed even when the food bank is closed, and it is regularly filled by Bremerton Foodline (which can be a barrier to resources at other locations that are quickly emptied). The second half of the project was developing a digital toolkit to raise awareness about the build and needs of these little neighborhood pantries. I could talk about the program more in the future if you are interested!

If it’s not a work day, I’m going to multiple appointments.

I’m eating a lot of Greek yogurt parfaits and gluten free pizzas. I’m packing 2x the amount of meals on the go since my daughter made the gymnastics team. I’m not drinking enough water but drinking a lot more decaf.

We’re watching a lot of Parks & Recreation episodes or family films from the 90’s.

We’ve got a picnic blanket always ready in the trunk of our car. We walk the dog in the cemetery across the alleyway and have interesting discussions about history and death with my five-year-old.

The garden is full of potato plants. The sidewalk is full of chalk sketches. The dining room table is covered in workbooks, envelopes from the mailbox, library books, and coloring supplies.

I’d say June is full of the need to be flexible, open, and patient.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who submitted to the first printed edition of Motherhood Minute! The publication is becoming a lot thicker than I originally imagined for the first edition and I’m finalizing the page spreads now before sending for editing feedback.

This will be a slow turning booklet that teaches you about mental health resources, fills your cup with creative inspiration, and creates community by uplifting the voices of mothers writing about the complex beauty and hardships of parenthood.

The Summer Issue is likely going to be released at the end of June!

You can see more of that project release at this link. Please note that Summer Edition submissions are closed BUT you can find a submission link for the Fall Edition on my website. I’d recommend reading about the magazine vibe before submitting to see if you’re a good fit.

Interested in purchasing this magazine? Be sure to subscribe to Motherhood Minute for updates. Paid subscribers will get an early release alert with discounts available at every launch.

Thank you for being a part of this community of now 500 subscribers! I try to take time every month to dive into your profiles and read your own words. <3

» Podcast episodes and interviews: In This Season | Chanel Riggle

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