by Samantha Moilanen

When Heidi Stevens began her column-writing career at the Chicago Tribune, one of the first personal essays she wrote delved into the experience of her first Christmas after divorce in 2012.

Titled “Dreaming of a pink Christmas,” the column recounts a conversation with her daughter about who would put up the Christmas tree in her father’s absence. Stevens responded by suggesting they purchase a new tree.

To her surprise, her daughter requested a pink Christmas tree that year.

For Stevens, this moment served as an epiphany making her realize that her children do not have to live her childhood experiences, but should have the freedom to shape their own. Going forward, Stevens vowed to create new memories with her children instead of attempting to recreate old ones.

This essay was one of the first in Stevens’ nationally syndicated column called “Balancing Act.” Stevens said the column’s name was inspired by her struggle to balance her life in the midst of a divorce.

“I had been recently divorced, I had two young kids, they were two and six at the time and I was literally trying to balance it all, which felt like an act because I was acting,” Stevens said.

While the column initially began as a personal exploration of work-life balance inspired by Stevens’ experiences as a recently divorced mother, it quickly evolved to cover a broad range of topics including: politics, relationships, race, gender and culture, all while maintaining a focus on parenting and family.

Stevens said the idea “that your life is not going the way you expected it to go at whatever chapter you’re in,” resonated with readers who can relate to the unexpected challenges life often brings.

Stevens said column writing is about connecting with readers through personal subjects while simultaneously addressing larger societal concepts.

One of Stevens’ more recent columns was on her mixed feelings about her daughter turning 18. Growing up, everyone reminds you that time flies and to cherish each moment, which Stevens says is wonderful but impossible advice. She said no one prepared her for the moment her daughter would reach adulthood, but instead of dwelling on the past, she wrote about raising her daughter with the words, “be careful with me,” always in mind because while time flies, a parent’s impact on their children lasts forever.

Stevens explains her approach saying, “My feeling is we live in a time where the news and headlines are swirling around us so fast on so many platforms that if I can reach up into the swirl, and grab one thing, and just … talk about it for a few minutes with readers. That’s what I want the column to do.”

However, Stevens admits balancing personal journalism is a delicate art. While this type of journalism allows for greater emotional resonance, Stevens acknowledges the need for balance.

“Some of the best writing is the most personal,” Stevens said. “But you have to do it sparingly, because otherwise you’re just sort of writing a diary and then opening it up for people to read.”

Stevens hopes her column helps readers navigate the complexities of their own lives by sharing thoughtful accounts of her lived experiences.

As Stevens puts it, “If you can make people feel less alone, that’s your point.”

With her storytelling abilities and journalistic expertise, Stevens not only informs but also forges an emotional connection with her readers, addressing topics that touch the lives of her audience through a combination of reporting and personal narrative.

Just as the pink Christmas tree marked Stevens’ departure from tradition, her column breaks away from the norm, delving into topics often left unexplored by the mainstream media with the hope of helping others find solace in shared experiences.

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