Losing Yourself In Motherhood, By Alexis Storms Aiger, LPC

By Alexis Storms Aiger, LPC

Becoming a mother is the most wonderful, most important thing to happen to so many of us. We were once concerned with our careers, who we would hang out with Friday night, where we’d vacation. Then, as soon as that little bundle is placed in our arms, all of that fades away. Our heart swells with a love so fierce that the focus of our world narrows to a singular entity. All that we can see is that tiny, adorable human. They are all that matters.

This narrowing of focus makes complete sense. We are biologically programmed to have this be the case. After all, our newborn child is completely and entirely dependent upon us for life. We have to be enamored with our child and engulfed in their needs–it ensures the survival of our species. Societal expectations also support this narrowing of focus. Although we, as women, have come a long way in terms of equality in comparison to past decades, it is still rather widely expected that a mother will be the primary caregiver for her children. We incorporate these expectations into our lives, whether we realize it or not. We have an idea that being a “good mom” means doing everything for our children. We give up our Friday night social hours, vacations with our significant other, maybe even our careers. Our Fridays become play dates, our daily life becomes diapers and feedings, and our idea of a vacation is a full night of sleep. We believe, wholeheartedly, that our purpose in life is being a Mom. This is dangerous.

It’s dangerous because when we wrap our entire worth up in motherhood, we feel an immense amount of guilt when we find that this life isn’t as fulfilling as we think it “should” be. You see, while you can narrow your focus onto your child in the beginning of their life and potentially not experience negative consequences, it’s only a matter of time until you do.

When someone asks you what you do for fun, you find yourself answering, “Play dates,” or “The Children Museum.” This isn’t what you do for fun. This is what you do for your child to have fun. You have no idea what you do for fun, because you don’t do anything for YOU. It’s all about your child. This leads to your existence being rather lonely. Empty.

We need emotional connection with others, and the bond between mother and child alone does not satisfy this need. When your entire life revolves around for your child for months, and then years, you lose your own sense of self. You lose who you are, other than “Mom.” You end up disconnected from yourself, your friends, and maybe even your partner. You end up isolated. Even though you aren’t alone (after all, your child is ALWAYS with you), you are lonely. Research shows that loneliness is associated with poorer physical health, increased stress, and increased depression. When you’re lonely, when your physical health is suffering, when your stress is increasing, and when your mood is dropping, you cannot be the mother you truly want to be for your child.

Even if you manage to stave off the loneliness, you’re sending a disastrous message to your child. You are your child’s most important role model. By focusing solely on them, you are sending the message that caring for oneself is unimportant–that one “should” put everything and everyone else above themselves. Your child will learn this. Your child will mimic this. Do you want your child to lose themselves in parenthood? I’ll go out on a limb and say that your answer is no.

So what can you do?

  1. Get back in touch with your personal values. What is important to YOU? Sure, family might be listed as one of your top priorities, but what else? What is it that you’re really after in life, that makes your heart sing? Pay attention to those things that you value just for YOU.
  2. Journal. Get a pretty notebook and start writing. Ask yourself what is really important to YOU. If you didn’t have to worry about time or money, what would you be doing? What do you absolutely love doing? Or, if you can’t remember the last time you actually had fun, what things did you used to love doing? When you were a kid, what kind of life did you dream of having as an adult? Your past chapters have already been written, but you are the author of your story. What do you want the next chapters of your book to say? Write it out!
  3. Visualize. Once you have an idea of what you want your future to look like, what is truly important to YOU, focus on it. What you focus on, you create. Imagine yourself living that life. What will your future self be doing with her days? Most importantly, how will your future self feel? Get inside her head, her heart, and her soul. Notice how she shows up in life and then take a step back into your current self and ask, “Where am I not meeting that vision?” Those are the places to focus in order to create change.
  4. Make time for YOU. We all have the same 24 hours in our day, yet I hear women say again and again that they “don’t have time” to prioritize themselves. I call B.S. Other women manage to be great moms, manage a household, work outside the home, and still make time for themselves. It’s not a matter of having the time. It’s a matter of making the time and prioritizing you. Let go of the stuff that is less important. Who really cares if your house is spotless all the time or if you make a home cooked meal instead of picking up takeout every once in a while? Release the idea of perfection and replace that energy with more focus on your own needs.
  5. Get help. Team up with other women to help hold each other accountable to prioritizing yourselves. A strong tribe of women around you can help raise you up and will raise up the collective whole, as well. If you don’t have women in your life who want to create their own space and celebrate your success, it’s time to start finding them. Branch out in person, find groups online, enlist the help of a life coach. Whatever you need to do to increase your support, clarify your vision, and start reconnecting with YOU, do it. You deserve it!

About Alexis Storms Aiger, LPC: Alexis is a Licensed Professional Counselor who decided to take her knowledge and expertise in human behavior, mindset, and self-discovery out of the insurance-regulated mental health field, and into the broader arena of Life Coaching. Alexis is a mom of 2 a teenagers and experienced her own battle with losing herself to motherhood. She used her education and experience to learn to reconnect with her authentic self, accept herself, and a build a life she truly loves. Now, she helps other women do the same. As a Women’s Empowerment Life Coach, Alexis helps women who are sick and tired of trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, reconnect with their authentic selves, gain confidence, and start living life out loud.

momhood

Follow Alexis on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alexisaigerpage

Or Instagram at www.instagram.com/alexis.storms

Email at Alexis@AlexisStorms.com

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Read our disclosure.

Like this blog post? Want more like this? Sign up for our  newsletter so you can stay up to date with Susie Liberatore | Entrepreneur.

Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing.” Ricki Lake

No greater gift exists than when you become a mother. The pain, hardships, and sometimes hurtful situations we go through for the hugs, smiles, and laughter are worth it. 

And while motherhood tends to be a pretty thankless job, mother’s day can certainly shine a light on the appreciation. That one day can rejuvenate us moms for an entire year. We focus so much energy on others that we sometimes forget that we are important and deserve some recognition, too.

Here are some simple, yet wonderful ideas to show your mama some extra love on her day:

  1. Homemade gifts: there’s nothing more precious than a gift from the heart from your baby or babies. I still have gifts my oldest (now 7) made when he was about 2. Seeing the effort and love they put into each and every inch of the present fills my heart to bursting with pride, joy, and all the feels.
  2. Breakfast (or brunch) in bed: I have yet to enjoy this little delight. However, the idea is not lost on me. As a mom, we get up early every day and provide the morning routine and breakfast. Give us a bit of a break for one day. You might even garner a tear or two from the thoughtfulness.
  3. Clean the house: I was able to hire someone to clean for a little while last year. What an amazing feeling to walk into a clean house and not having to figure out when to fit it in or sacrifice time with my family to do it. Whether the kids and hubby clean it or simply hire someone to do it, the emotional and physical burden being lightened that much, even for one day, will mean so much.

These are just a couple of examples of how something small can have a huge impact on the day to celebrate incredible moms. Give her big hugs and loves. Tell her what and how much you appreciate her. Take a moment to recognize the hard work, energy, and devotion each mom exerts on a daily basis.

Shop here

I know it holds me through the tough days. To all you moms, I hope you have a great mother’s day and take a bit of time for you — read, take a bath, go for a walk, or take a nap. You deserve it! Post submitted by Jessie –

“I am a thirty-something mom. With two degrees under my belt and a virtual assistant business, I find mommy-hood to be the most challenging yet rewarding part of my life. Mistakes will be made, failures will happen, but why not accept those flaws, do your best, love with all you have and have as much fun as you can along the way?”

 

Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of visions2images.com

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Read our disclosure.

Like this blog post? Want more like this? Sign up for our  newsletter so you can stay up to date with ways to make money AND save money!

2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Gifts for the mama’s!!!

Do you need mothers day gift ideas? Look no further, we put together some of the best mothers days gifts.. The best thing about it is they are all supported by small business owners AKA mom’s! So you are helping small businesses and moms, what more could you ask for?!

  • Stress Free Essential Oils: I seriously LOVE oils.. I wish I could tell the whole world about how wonderful they really truly are! I have horrible sinuses and allergies, so these have helped with that, but they have also helped with my anxiety. I love the smell of all of them, plus I love how there are endless options for how to use them: aromatically, topically, and internally. There are so many kinds of oils to that the possibilities are endless! I love them all!!! Shop now doterra-oils copy
  • River Babe Threads : I LOVEEEE their shirts!! I am ALL about the hot mess mom train.. I mean who really has it together these days?! They have some for mamas and even for kids. They are seriously the cutest!! You have to run over to their site to check all that they have.. PLUS they are offering 25% off!!! Use code: FORMAMA = 25% off! Get your shopping on!!
    image_fe5a1363-d578-4f61-93dd-39e95ae8644d_1024x1024
  • Hand Stamped By SuzanneWhat mama doesn’t love some jewelry?! They are perfect, adorable, and affordable for all mama’s. I love how the customization looks so perfect on this! I love the charms and how personal this is!! Buy one get one half off with code: momma. Shop now 
    18197761_1307313015989174_1893914759_n.jpg
  • Little Mami Shop: T-shirts are in this season. I can’t even tell you how many times I put on a t-shirt like all day everyday. It’s the perfect style when your a mama!!! Take 25% off their store using code: momma. Shop now.   18238564_1310245569030804_1752969207324648139_o
  • Cart Mama is a grocery cart attachment that lets parents shop with kids more conveniently, easily, and with less frustration. It holds up to 30 pounds of items, so you can get everything on your list, and is easy to install, works on any cart, and is perfect for any age children and any size family. Cart Mama is so good, it’s almost like shopping alone. Bethany_O_Photography_-_www.bethanyo.com-.jpg
  • Rodan  & Fields: The #1 skincare brand in the U.S. has recently released the biggest breakthrough in natural lashes. Get ready to toss your lash extensions! Lash Boost from Rodan + Fields is the key to fuller-looking, longer-looking, darker-looking lashes that are 100% real, and 100% yours. This nightly eyelash conditioning serum will enhance the natural appearance of your lashes in just 4 weeks with the best results seen at 12 weeks.  Lash Boost uses Multi-Med® Therapy to moisturize, nourish and protect lashes. Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate attract moisture to the lash, promoting flexibility and resilience. Biotin & Keratin infuse protein to help protect against future damage. Peptides provide nutrition to the lashes, enhancing durability and supporting a more voluminous appearance. Lash Boost is clinically and ophthalmologist tested, and found to be safe and non-irritating. It is a nightly lash conditioning serum that is intended to moisturize, nourish and protect your lashes. Lash Boost is a cosmetic grade product designed to improve the appearance of your lashes. It is not a drug product and will not affect the structure and function of your lashes.This product is amazing! You can even apply Lash Boost to eyebrows to help them appear healthier looking and more beautiful. It is guaranteed to last 60-days and comes with a 60-day money back guarantee Retail $150 Preferred Customers $135

 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Read our disclosure. 

 Like this blog post? Want more like this? Sign up for our newsletter so you can stay up to date with ways to make money AND save money!