Tips On How Not To Lose Yourself In Motherhood
I sometimes wish I was better prepared for my journey of motherhood but then again I realise that nothing could have prepared me well enough. No amount of reading or the lessons shared by my mom from her own experiences could have positioned me to say that I’m fully equipped and my motherhood journey will be a smooth sail.
I agree that there are lessons to be drawn from those who have walked this path before me but our experiences and approach to parenting are bound to differ in one way or another because we are all different and so are the kids we are parenting.
My experience as a first time mom was a rather challenging one but it taught me so much about myself. As challenging as that experience was , it taught me that motherhood is a place where you are most likely to lose yourself but is incredibly rewarding if you learn to find yourself again.
Here are three tips on how not to lose yourself in motherhood.
Continue to pursue your passions
The main purpose for this blog is to help moms nurture themselves and thrive. One way for you to thrive is by continuing to pursue your passions. It can be hard to find the time to do it but it’s possible to make it work. It’s a great way to boost your confidence and although it might take a bit longer to achieve what you want because of the number of responsibilities you now have, take one step at a time and you will get there at the right time.
Your emotional well-being matters
I have shared before that after giving birth to my son who is now five, I went through a state of emotional overwhelm and being a first time mom and not knowing much, I never sought professional help. As they say, experience is the best teacher. Fast forward to baby number two, I was more in tune with my emotions and I knew when to seek help and not simply endure the struggles of motherhood on my own. It was so reassuring to learn that what I was experiencing was normal post delivery and that there were ways to help me cope. Your physical and emotional well-being is something you should never neglect as a mom because it can affect how well you take care of your kids. If you are feeling overwhelmed , speak to a friend or a health professional rather than drowning in your emotions. You simply cannot give the best care to your kids if you are not taking good care of yourself.
Give yourself a break
Guilt is a trap that most moms fall into. You feel you need to always be present with your kids and cannot fully enjoy time away from them because the guilt starts to creep in. Set yourself free and understand that to be a great mom to your babies, you need to take care of yourself which may be in the form of a coffee date with a friend or just taking a walk to breathe in some fresh air and clear your mind. You have to understand that people who help you take care of your kids can never be you but you need them to allow you some time to rejuvenate yourself.
Motherhood is a blessing but as moms, we need to nurture who we are outside of the role of motherhood. Give love and care to your kids while embracing your individuality. Allow yourself to have fun and do things that excite you without any guilt.
Love,
Muhluri
Photo from unsplash.com
