I know we have all felt this feeling as moms, right? We all absolutely love being a mom and wouldn’t change it for the world, but who else are we? It can be easy to forget.
Maybe you remember before you were a mom you loved reading, or painting, or running, or whatever that “thing” was….but now, you feel like all you have time for is laundry, dishes, carpooling, diaper changing, or potty training!
I knew that when my husband and I started having kids, I 100 % wanted to be a stay at home mom. And I loved every minute of it with my four kids. Ok, I am lying. Not EVERY minute of it, but you understand! lol
Last year after about 10 years of being a stay at home mom I started waking up and realizing the carpooling, dirty dishes, making lunches, and laundry wasn’t fulfilling all of me anymore. Who was I now that my kids were at school all day? They play xbox, ride their bikes and play outside without needing an adult supervising anymore? Nor do they want one most of the time! 😉 Of course I know they need me, but the ways they need me is so different now.
This is where I started doing some soul searching. Here are 3 ways I believe you can stay true to who you are while being a mom.
1. Find a hobby
Like I mentioned above, remember when we had time for hobbies?? It is so important, even more now, when you are in the thick of parenting to find something outside of “mom life” that you enjoy! For the last 4 or so years I have loved decorating spaces in our house! It has grown into DIY projects also, but it gets me so excited!
What gets you excited when you get up in the morning?? What are you passionate about? Finding something for you, in my opinion, only makes you a happier, better mom and wife. I wish I would have put more emphasis on this through the thick of parenting toddlers because maybe then I wouldn’t have gone through the last year feeling like I couldn’t remember who I was anymore!!
2. Make time for Friends/Connections
It’s easy for parenting to feel so isolating…going for days without seeing another adult. Especially those days when you are a mom of babies and toddlers! Whether you make playdates and the kids play and you can chat with another mom or you set a monthly girls night out! I mean a dinner without having to cut up someones food or get up and get more milk 3 times!! Amazing and much needed for moms!! As I write this I am reminded how long it’s been since I have been out with some girlfriends! I need to get that booked ASAP! However you need to be making connections, it is such an important part of being a mom. We do all things better together!!
3. Enjoy time for yourself
I think the most important part in not losing yourself as a mom is to make time for yourself!! ALONE!! Before I had kids I never liked being alone. Wow, did that change very quickly after having kids. RIGHT!?! I mean 3o minutes of alone time is just amazing!! Now that my kids are in school (one still half day) I get quite a bit of alone time, but I mean the alone time where it’s all about you!! Take a relaxing bath, read a book, thumb through your favorite magazine with your favorite drink in hand. Whatever it is that allows you to recharge!!
I hope these things are a reminder to you that being a mom is always our most important job but in order to do that to our best ability we have to take care of ourselves!! We will only be better moms, wives, and friends for doing it! 🙂 I know that this is a great reminder for me too!!!
Leave a Reply