Once this baby is born and I’ve recovered, I’m determined to make myself a priority again. I don’t mean I’ll stop being the mom my kids need— I’ll always be there for them. But I also want to be the me I need.
That means hitting the gym, not just to lose the baby weight, but to feel strong and confident again. I want to slip into my old clothes and feel like myself. I want to throw on some makeup, curl my hair, wear my favorite earrings, and step out feeling fabulous.
I don’t think wanting that makes me vain or selfish. If anything, I think it makes me human. As women—especially as moms—we give so much of ourselves to others that it’s easy to forget that we matter, too.
A Reminder for All Moms
If you’re feeling the same way, take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone. It’s natural to have days where you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself in the amazing chaos of motherhood. It’s okay to miss the freedom of your pre-kid life.
What’s important is recognizing that you can have both. You can be a loving, present mom and still take the time to care for yourself. You can enjoy the early years with your kids while also making space to rediscover who you are outside of motherhood.
So here’s my promise to myself—and maybe it can be yours, too:
- I’ll look at postpartum in a positive light and think of the steps I’ll take toward my goals when my body recovers.
- I’ll enjoy the messy bun and no-makeup look, but I’ll also get glammed up and go out.
- I’ll be the best mom I can be while remembering that I’m more than “just” a mom.
Motherhood is a journey, and so is rediscovering yourself. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m on my way. If you’re in this phased of life too, let’s hold on to the hope that we can balance it all— the love we pour into our families and the care we give ourselves. We deserve both.
Let’s raise our babies, but let’s also raise ourselves.
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