Parenting...A Journey Like No Other
When we become parents, we enter a journey like no other. It’s an adventure with a lot of unchartered territory.
Nothing can really prepare us for the journey.
The experience of being a mother is simultaneously amazing and hard all at once.
Personally, I’ve learned so much along the way especially because it’s been so different than what I imagined. Although I learned how to let go of what people think, to advocate for my family, to accept my daughter’s sensitivity and in turn, my own, surrender was the first and biggest lesson of motherhood. Starting with conception, pregnancy, birth and onwards.
In life, there is so much that is outside of our control. And that can be so hard! As we all know, in case we didn’t know it before, we don’t have all of the control.
Life happens. Seriously.
Seems obvious but it’s not.
When I was finding my rhythm as a mother and supporting my husband with incurable cancer these past 10 years, keeping things simple is what helped me along the way.
And giving up control (surrendering) by inviting in more trust. In myself. In life. In others.
I did what I had to do and reminded myself that I was going to be ok— no matter what.
This journey is just that. A journey. A wild one. A fun one. An exhausting and meaningful one. Sometimes we don’t like the detours and yet the detours usually have a way of preparing us for something greater.
In the end, what matters most is you. And how you experience the journey.
So when life feels like too much. When you are ‘should-ing’ yourself.
Or you want to change a habit.
Ask yourself: What is my priority?
And focus on that. Keep it simple. Life is already so complicated. Focus on the small things. The ordinary moments. And allow yourself to keep it real too.
Wherever you are at on your journey, celebrate how far you’ve come. Acknowledge the storms you’ve faced and the falls you’ve had. These matter. Acknowledge the skills you’ve developed and the ones you have no interest in developing (because we can’t do it all).
Ultimately, my wish for you this month. The month when bunnies are born and flowers are in bloom. And mothers are celebrated all over the world (hopefully). Is that you know how strong you are (even when you are at your weakest), you are beautiful (even if you don’t feel it) and you are enough as you are (even if you need to remind yourself). You always have been.
Truly.
“I am coming to trust that the path I’m meant to be on is simply the one that appears at my feet.” — Katrina Kenison
Here’s to shining strong in your light.
Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep it gentle.
This blog was written by wellbe occupational therapist Lynne Newman.