Remember You before age 11 or 12? Your child self had all the time in the world to dream and explore interests and hobbies.
These days as we mother, it may feel like that high energy and exuberance is on some kind of semi-permanent hiatus. You might be asking yourself, “What happened to the part of me that used to draw, paint, write, turn cartwheels, scrapbook, play in the mud, and dream?”
Just what happens to our creative bliss during the years we are immersed in child rearing?
Trying to meet everyone’s needs and tend to little bodies and souls can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it can be hard to think beyond the next meal or play date or bedtime.
Back when my own kids were tykes, I knew I had to catch a break somewhere. I had to occasionally go to a movie, out for coffee, or on a walk with a friend. Scoring some uninterrupted time to read The New Yorker felt like heaven. For me, having a regular connection with a friend or losing myself in a story helped me recharge so I had more energy to give.
How do we lose sight of this? I think it is because the minute our babies are born, the focus shifts away from ourselves and onto our baby. This lack of care for mothers appears to be built in to our culture but we don’t have to buy into this message.
We don’t have to wait for our kids to grow up before we pay attention to what makes us feel the most alive.
Last January, I was fortunate to meet some amazing women who took a six-month mother’s self renewal journey with me. All of us moms have kids of different ages (ranging from babies to teens) but our common thread was we all felt ready to reconnect with ourselves.
Being a part of this mother’s circle inside the wonderful, safe space at lil omm yoga made me feel strong, united, brave, creative, and reenergized. Each month we cheered each other on as we tried introducing something new and enriching into our lives.
This September, I look forward to beginning a new Mother’s Self-Renewal Group that will meet for three months instead of six. Time is always a consideration for mothers; I think the new format will work well. Will you join me for some self-renewal?
If your time is short, consider adding in one activity you used to enjoy or have always wanted to try. Watch your mood and energy recharge as you tune into yourself.
We don’t have to wait to reconnect with ourselves. We can do it right now.
