Maintaining Ourselves in Motherhood (MOM)
Author: Alanna Seabrook-Rush
Bounce Back. Often, the first thing on our minds after carrying our babies for months, laboring, and bringing them Earth side is “bouncing back”—especially physically. After such a transformative journey meant to propel us forward into a new version of ourselves, we are so determined to go back. From my experience having two babies just two years apart, I’ve learned there is no going back—only moving forward. It’s more about returning to your core self, bringing her forward, and continuing to build her up. What’s most important (and what helps you get through) is prioritizing yourself, not letting the responsibilities of being a mom, a wife, and a professional overshadow YOU.
Now, trust me, I get it—“there’s not enough time in the day.” From the moment my kids open their eyes, I’m on the go. Still, we need to find time to connect with ourselves and prioritize our needs so we can show up for everyone else. It’s a balancing act. Some weeks, I’m on top of everything: checking in on friends and family, excelling at work, and laying it down on my husband. Other weeks, I’m fumbling, but I’ve learned that prioritizing myself brings me back to equilibrium.
So, what does that look like? I call them “pockets of peace!” I’ve learned that whole weekends for rest, reset, and recovery are a thing of the past. I won’t always have 2-3 hours after work to take a deep breath, enjoy a glass of wine, and reflect. Those days are long gone. Now, I carve out pockets of time when I’m not juggling everything for everyone. I prioritize these moments for myself, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, a workout class, or reading a few chapters during the kids' nap time (or taking a nap myself). Sometimes, it means leaving the kids with their daddy so I can have dinner and drinks with friends, sometimes its a weekend getaway to recharge. No matter how big or small the pocket, you jump in and preserve yourself!
Motherhood is a wild, love-filled, chaotic journey, and it’s crucial to remember to prioritize and take care of ourselves amidst it all. Instead of focusing on “bouncing back” to our pre-baby selves, we should concentrate on returning to our core selves. By taking the time for self-care and self-love, we can show up as the best versions of ourselves for our loved ones. Remember, it’s not about going back, but moving forward with self-care and self-love.
