Hiya,

Welcome to this week's email from me - Michelle, at Flourish Mama!

Becoming a mother is big. Huge. Massive. Many of us (myself included) underestimate the seismic shifts that motherhood will make in our lives. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was blissfully unaware of the enormous changes that were coming my way. Yes, I had a few friends with kids already, plus I had a niece and nephew, but really, its not the same thing is it?

No matter how much your friends, family (and even complete strangers in the supermarket!) tell you to take some time out before baby comes, or get an extra nap in now or that your life is about to change dramatically, it simply doesn't sink in until you're in the thick of it.

Your world narrows significantly, your time is no longer yours to use as you will and even going to the bathroom becomes a negotiation and juggle of epic proportions. Eeeeep.

I was a high achiever in my career life, prior to having kids - I was focused and driven at work. I also had big sporting commitments, I enjoyed many different hobbies and loved going out for good food and wine. And I had very high expectations of myself as a mother...

I took a DEEP dive into motherhood and unconsciously gave up many of the things I loved to do previously. My world shrank to doing motherhood "right" (as if that was even a thing!) and acing it as much as I did in other areas of my life.

I got lost in motherhood.

Becoming a Mum is incredible, amazing, beautiful. It can also be all consuming, overwhelming and intense.

Many of us lose ourselves in motherhood and forget who we even are outside of being "Mum".

The great news is, there is a balance between being Mum and being you. Taking time out for yourself, to reconnect within and rediscover what brings you joy, is a valid and essential activity.

Call it self care, call it time out for yourself, call it nourishing of self, call it self development. It doesn't really matter. What DOES matter is that you actively choose to honour yourself as well as your family in this season of your life.

You deserve to feel fulfilled, connected and joyful too!

Have you ever felt lost in motherhood? Hit reply and let me know!

Until next time,

Michelle

Flourish Mama