Journaling With Jodi

“What Can We Do?” A Prompt Inspired by My Ten-Year-Old Son

Welcome! Here on Substack I share two newsletters: Journaling With Jodi and Depth Charge: Weekly Poetry. Depth Charge is for sharing poetry, while Journaling With Jodi focuses on writing prompts and personal reflection.

“What Can We Do?” A Prompt Inspired by My Ten-Year-Old Son

Last night my son woke up in the middle of the night and came to see me in my room. He was upset and couldn’t sleep. His worries came pouring out: he had learned that within his lifetime Canada’s air and water resources will have been affected by pollution and climate change—that access to clean air and water will become more difficult over time. “What can we do?” He asked, panicked.

I resisted the urge to tell him, “everything will be okay.” That impulse to sooth and reassure that isn’t reassuring for an intelligent being who sees right through it; who knows it may not be. “Your concerns are valid.” I told him. “Thank you for telling me what is on your mind.” I hugged him. “Let’s talk about this in the morning, once we’ve had a good night’s sleep, and we’ll decide what to do then. Try to let your body relax and take some slow breaths. I love you.” He told me he loved me too, and I could sense his relief, and the feeling of connection my words created.

In the morning we talked about how it can help relieve the feeling of stress and anxiety to take a small action, however small, to help us feel a sense of power and agency. This is something that really helps me. We discussed different ideas and settled on writing a letter to the Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

He dictated what he wanted to say while I typed, occasionally asking for guidance, yet the words are his own.

Here is his letter:

Subject: Please Help the Earth

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

My name is Joseph. I am ten years old (writing from my mom’s email).

I have been feeling worried about the environment, for I’ve been feeling the efforts being taken to help it have not been sufficient. I have heard that the water and air resources will become even more polluted if we do not take action.

I’m writing to ask you to please help the earth by using less fossil fuels and concentrating your efforts in non-expendable resources such as using more solar energy.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Joseph

After he wrote it, and we sent it, we high fived and he said “Thanks Mom! I feel lighter now.” And he bounded off with his usual bounce in his step.

Later I told him he inspired me and asked if I could share his words with my Substack community. He said “Of course!”

So here I am, writing to you all. To say with a full heart: Your concerns are valid. Your voice matters. Every small action counts and may inspire someone else.

Here is a journaling prompt based on this morning’s interaction with my son. I would love it if even one other person out there could try it too.

As always, feel free to change this exercise to suit you—using it as food for thought instead of journaling, or by recording audio instead of writing it down. Make it your own.

Here’s the prompt this moment inspired:

Set a timer for 10-20 minutes.

Write, stream-of-consciousness style, with curiosity and as little judgement as possible, in response to the following questions:

What is one specific issue that feels heavy on your heart today? Why does this concern you? Describe that feeling of concern. How do you feel it in your body?

If you’d like, take a moment to remind yourself: This concern is valid. My voice matters. Every small action counts and may inspire someone else.

What are some actions that are within your power to take, no matter how small? Out of those actions, what is one that could fit in your day, today?

Do that one thing.

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I know these are heavy times. My hope is that this small offering may support you feeling just a little bit lighter. I would love to hear about your experience in the comments.

Photo by James Wheeler, Unsplash; not a photo of my son and I

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

~ Margaret Mead