When I was a younger mom, fresh to the game, I remember nights of baby cries and worrying myself past the brink of exhaustion. The newborn phase seemed never ending- with multiple feedings, late nights, and a sore body post-partum. However, in this time of silence, with a baby who slept more than anything else (which seems wrong to say until you’ve met a toddler that refuses naps and bedtimes), I had a long time to think about all the things I wanted to see happen in my life. It was hard to envision anything beyond being a mom, for the longest while this felt like my only goal in life. But after experiencing motherhood, after meeting that goal, I knew I envisioned more. My personal goals and aspirations- these were the things I thought about over time as the dust settled from becoming a new parent. To those of you in the post-partum phase reading this, I see you, I support you. For a moment in time, we lose ourselves in motherhood. But I promise, you’ll find your way back to you someday. We are ALL capable of it. 🙌
Discovering Your Inner Strength and How to Use it
Mama bear mode is a total cliche but let me tell you, it is the most accurate representation of our resilience through life. Nobody goes harder than a mom. It goes deeper than protecting your babies when shit goes down. We actively push through whatever life is throwing at us, without hesitation. We ourselves are always changing and growing, just as motherhood is. What used to be hard in the beginning: late nights, constant feedings, diaper changes, become mundane tasks throughout your day. And at some point, things of the past. Then life throws new challenges at us. Regardless if it’s juggling work, house work, making money, or just upset kids (we’ve all been here), you can expect Mom’s are out here giving all the energy we have even when we are running on nothing. You can do all the things, too. Find your inspiration right here with me y’all! You have access to this mindset ANYTIME you choose to tap into it.
Motivation to Get Myself Off Pause and Hit Play on the Life I Wanted.
Everything accidentally got thrown on pause when I became a mother and for a long time that was my only dream. It is one of the most fulfilling roles to be a mother, but I quickly learned it isn’t a whole personality trait. You are allowed to be more, you just need to give yourself permission to be. Mom guilt in doing anything outside of “mom duties” is a real thing, y’all! I’m with you. I’ve been there. Accept that you have needs, wants, dreams and there doesn’t need to be guilt attached to it. It started when I finally began getting comfortable in my own head again. Giving myself space and time to think about me. I started to slowly snap away with my camera, something I enjoyed for many years prior. Giving myself some space to be creative again felt good- it felt familiar. It made me want to keep going.
Where do I see myself five years from now? If I’m honest, life right now is going smooth and it is jam packed with everything I could ever fucking imagine (hello! busy schedules and traveling for my business!) However, I’m constantly inspired and wanting to take on more when life slows down even a hair. I find something else grabs my attention and I begin finding ways to achieve it. Everything I do today, I am always looking years down the line with. Everything I do today is a clear stepping stone to my path ahead. SO where do I see myself? Well, all of my kids are in school, I’m home managing a bigger business, or businesses, and I’ve built up a larger community. How and what? You’ll have to wait- I’ll let you watch that all unfold.
The Larger Impact I Want to Leave for My Kids
I want my children to see me reach all of my goals head on- to inspire them and show them they can truly do anything they’ve put forth energy into. I want my kids to know that their dreams, big or small, are attainable, anything is within their reach, and not to be held back by a fear of failure. As mothers, we think this, we all say this, and we all want this for our kids. But somewhere, we lose the ability to believe it for ourselves. I want to model it for my kids so they are left with no doubts in life.
A Piece of Advice to My Younger Mom Self…
Nothing about motherhood needs to hold you back. If you are dedicated and committed to finding yourself, if you prioritize you in the midst of caring for others, you can do it. All of it can coexist.
The Power of Reflection and Kicking Ass
Set some goals for yourself- they do not have to be super detailed. You can keep these broad while you work things through, but keep them attainable. Don’t go saying you’re quitting your job in three months with no other plans now. Attainability = feelings of success = more likely to stay consistent and commit to your goals.
Stop making the excuses that you have no time, you don’t know what to do, you have no money to start. Start researching or creating a list of hobbies/interests. Something you would be inspired to TRY and do. Start looking into how others started. Start following accounts online and reach out to others and ask questions. The worst they will do is not answer you, who cares! Ask the questions. Start your research. Start your journey.
Then, start doing it. Sometimes we all need a good pep talk and some tough love to get ourselves going. Are you getting in your own way? Are you validating yourself versus looking for the validation from others (which is NEVER going to be fulfilling, by the way)?
Take some time and journal out some solid thoughts. Create a vision board. Create a mind map. Create a one-year, two-year, three-year goal list. Whatever you do, get started and keep with it. What goals have you been afraid to go after? Comment and let me hype you up! Happy Monday!
