There’s this belief kicking around…

It says once you become a mom there’s no time for you, everyone else comes first now, and your needs don’t matter. It says you have to be constantly exhausted, depleted, stressed, and overwhelmed. That you can’t take time for yourself, do things for yourself, or buy things for yourself. It says the more burned out and run down you are, the bigger medal you receive. And if you’re not feeling that way, you’re doin’ it wrong. It says you’ve got to do it all and look good while you’re at it. Go, go, go, give, give, give, you’re not doing enough.

Well, I say screw that.

Is being a mom hard? Yes. Are there going to be chaotic, messy, stressful days and seasons of it? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean that every day needs to be a struggle where you’re barely treading water as you try to make it til bedtime. The more you subscribe to the belief that your needs don’t matter or that you have to prove yourself to anyone, the harder motherhood becomes. And what’s often happening is that shame and perfectionism are getting in the way.