Nurturing Ourselves, Nurturing Them:
The Essential Connection Between Self-Care and Motherhood
During my second pregnancy, I experienced burnout.
It was amidst a pandemic lockdown, job loss, and the challenges of caring for my 18-month-old toddler. I neglected my own needs, isolated myself, and felt completely overwhelmed. The stress and strain led me to a point of burnout, where I struggled to find joy in motherhood and lost direction in life.
When my second daughter
was 6 months old, I enrolled
in a health coach
training program.
Initially, my intention was to pursue another career path that aligned with teaching yoga and offered flexibility for online work.
However, the program ended up transforming my life. I realized that I had completely neglected myself, which ultimately led to burnout.
As Michelle Obama wisely said,
“In order to be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.”
Reflecting on my journey through motherhood, I understand how easy it is to lose sight of ourselves amidst the whirlwind of parenthood.
The pressure to be perfect and have it all together can feel suffocating at times. We're bombarded with images of immaculately dressed moms who seem to effortlessly balance career, family, and self-care. But the reality is far messier.
Prioritizing self-care isn't selfish;
it's essential.
As mothers, we are the heartbeats of our families, the glue that holds everything together. Our children are our best reason for taking care of ourselves. How can we show up as the best version of ourselves for our kids when we're running on empty?
Self-care is not selfish; it's self-preservation.
We cannot pour from an empty cup. It's time to reframe the narrative surrounding self-care. It's not a luxury reserved for spa days and bubble baths, but rather, it can be as simple as stealing a few quiet moments to savour a cup of tea, taking a leisurely stroll around the block or asking for help.
“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.”
In a previous blog post, I shared my top 15 self-care tips for busy mothers, including setting boundaries, spending time in nature, staying hydrated, and practising deep breathing.
Remember, taking care of yourself isn't just a gift to yourself – it's a gift to your family. Even on the toughest days, you are enough. You are resilient, capable, and deserving of love and care – especially from yourself.
You're not alone on this journey.
There's a whole community of mothers who understand the challenges you're facing. Reach out for support when you need it, and offer a helping hand to others in return.
So here's to embracing the messy, chaotic, and utterly beautiful magic of motherhood.
And here's to prioritizing your own well-being along the way. You've got this, mama. And I'm right here cheering you on every step of the way.
Very soon I am launching my own program that is designed to help other mothers transform their own life so they can feel vibrant instead of run-down.
Is self-care a priority in your life, dear Mama? Share your experiences and your current number one self-care activity in the comments below.
With much love,
