We refocus ourselves outward when the flock of chicks arrives. We pour every ounce of our existence into them. They are our whole world. After years of putting your personal wants and desires on the backburner, it can be difficult to remember what they even were in the first place.
Big changes always start with small steps. We can start with simple questions:
“What do I want to do today? What used to make me feel like me?”
These questions start your first step in reconnection, intentionally notice yourself.
Take a trip down memory lane! Bust out the photo albums, your CD case, scrapbooks or anything you have. Go through it all and let your memory run free.
Put on your favorite song and go back to the very first time you heard it.
Where were you?
Who were you with?
How did you feel?
Or maybe it’s not the first time—
maybe it’s a moment that lives in your chest
because that song was playing in the background.
Did you have a hobby you grew out of or ran out of time for? Remember making friendship bracelets as a kid? Sitting on the floor, carefully picking colors, tying knots, giving them away like they meant everything. At the time, they DID mean everything. Somewhere along the way, we ran out of time to do the things that just felt relaxing and good. What if reconnecting with yourself isn’t necessarily about something new- what if it’s about returning to something familiar, in an updated way. Examples:
- Coloring books can make a comeback or maybe you start to color your own sketches for a bigger challenge.
- If you used to bake cookies, maybe you would like one of those famous sourdough breads.
- If you liked taking pictures, you could design some scrapbooks.
- If you used to build with clay, maybe you might try your luck on a pottery wheel.
- You can pick a new hobby, too. Just don’t pressure yourself to be good at it. Our goal is to awaken the spirit of curiosity, not to perfect a skill as quickly as possible.
What did that girl used to daydream about? Is there somewhere that young you always wanted to visit? Something you wanted to do that you had forgotten from those daydreams? Jot them down and start planning them into reality.
Establish some rituals that are just for you! Built in pleasures for yourself remind you of what it feels like to be more than your role of mother and more like a whole entire person. Examples:
- Sit on your porch and drink your coffee before you pick up your phone.
- Play your favorite song to get yourself going.
- Step outside for two minutes and then let the sun shine on your face.
- Expand your skincare routine.
- When you have finished chores for the day, light your favorite candle.
- Take a hot bath with lavender epsom salts
It’s about calmly connecting mind and body throughout the day. Move your body, gently. Not because you have to, but because it feels good.
Take a walk. Stretch. Or drop it like it’s hot in the kitchen while stacking dishes. That counts too.
