JOY
I don’t know about you, but by the time I had been a mother for 3 years, I had lost my energy and my JOY of being a new mother. I looked back at those three years to try and figure out what happened… When I took the time, I could see perfectly. I had given up my own needs to take care of children’s (by this time I had a 3 year old and a 1 year old who did NOT sleep). I know what you’re thinking - yes, welcome to Motherhood, it’s hard, it’s ugly, it’s draining, and beautiful all at the same time. And I agree with you.
But what if there was a way to feel good (almost) every day and bring JOY back to mothering? Read on to see how I started to fill my own cup so I could continue serving my family with a glad heart.
First of all, I noticed my body was unwell because of all the processed and sugary foods I had been feeding it. Once I learned the harmful effects of sugar I started implementing small changes in my diet. I switched over to a more whole-food approach for not only myself, but also my family. It wasn’t easy to detox my brain from sugar, but I found a solution that helped to keep me on the right track!
Then, I prioritized movement. I learned the benefits of yoga and pilates and made a goal of MOVING at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes each time. Creating and accomplishing goals is such a great feeling when you’re a new mom! Even though I was tired from having a newborn, that movement helped decrease my tension and stress so I could stay positive for my kids.
The third way I started taking better care of myself, was to make simple lists of what needed to get done that day. Not just a daily list of chores, but a list of THREE items to make my day feel “accomplished.” Some days it was menu planning, meal prepping, and cleaning the dishes. Other days it was more personal to me: work out for 20 minutes (or whatever allotment of time I could dedicate), drink my Red Drink before 2 o’clock, and read a book for at least 10 minutes. All of which made my day a success!
The last step I took to take better care of myself and my needs, was to change the negative thoughts I was having as a mom. The research I did on essential oils amazed me! These small bottles of plant liquid can actually turn negative emotions into positive ones. I thought of myself as pretty savvy in the natural world of things, but this was something I had only scratched the surface of. I grabbed by book and oils and started working to break down the wall of emotions I had built up for so long.
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