Staying grounded when you’re being blown away
Life is full of surprises, particularly in parenthood! There are the wonderful, rewarding, joyful moments which can take our breath away. But there are also a whole bunch of unexpected twists and turns on the way that can pull the rug out from under us, leaving us feeling emotionally fragile and unstable in our own identities. This is true of POSTNATAL, PARENTHOOD and MENOPAUSE - which is (guess what?) why we care about them!
Here are 5 easy steps from Tamsin Williamson, The Parenthood Coach, to help you keep your feet on the ground. More about Tamsin here or join her FB group here.
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1) Get perspective
Whether you are in the thick of the newborn phase or navigating toddler life, tackling tricky teens or seeing your kids fly the nest, remind yourself that each stage of life/parenthood is NEW and it’s HARD. Perspective can become a mantra to help keep you rooted in reality. You aren’t supposed to know what to do – parenthood is a learning journey and we are all finding our way and doing our best.
2) KEEP IT SIMPLE
Lower your expectations and think about what really needs to be done. Prioritise the things that matter and tackle them one by one. Resist the temptation to multi-task as in reality that only breeds overwhelm and depletes mental energy. In life, if things don’t happen one day there’s always tomorrow. And fight the feelings of guilt if they creep in – you are only human!
3) CELEBRATE WINS
We naturally compare ourselves to others and dwell on what we aren’t good at / haven’t done. Try to silence that negativity and remember that you and your situation are unique! Focus on your own wins. Give yourself credit and celebrate your victories daily, however big or small. Try writing down your wins daily, as positive reinforcement of all that you’ve achieved.
4) STAY CONNECTED TO YOU
Remembering who you are can be challenging in parenthood and more broadly with our BUSY LIVES. It’s not unusual to feel disconnected from your identity. While making time for yourself can feel like the holy grail, finding small ways to stay in tune with yourself could really help you feel more grounded. Minimal effort self-care:
Listening to podcasts or audiobooks keeps your mind active and engaged.
Chatting with like-minded friends combats isolation and keeps you connected.
15 minutes in the bath, stretching, breathing or a quick stroll works wonders for boosting self-esteem and self-worth
5) Stop The Scroll!
Social media is such a paradox – it can bring so much connection, but conversely it can also breed inadequacy, comparison and isolation. We’re looking at the ideal, not the real. Consider what role social media is playing in your life, and whether it’s adding value. Follow people who make you feel good about yourself, and if seeing other versions of life brings up negative feelings, don’t be afraid to unfollow or simply replace social media with something that will make you feel more inspired.
Tamsin Williamson (The Parenthood Coach) is an accredited Transformational Life Coach who is passionate about supporting unfulfilled and overhwelmed Mum to rule life while raising kids. She offers 1:1 holistic coaching programmes for Mums, and shares thoughts daily on Instagram around navigating parenthood.
Tamsin’s: FB Group | Time for You Guide | Instagram
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