Motherhood Doesn't Have To Be A Lonely Journey - Together, We Can Break The Isolation!
Being a mother can be both a rewarding and challenging experience.
It can bring a sense of joy and fulfilment, but it can also be isolating and overwhelming. Women who feel disconnected and isolated during mamahood often experience a range of emotions, from loneliness, sadness, anger, right through to depression.
Without meaningful connections and relationships, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of purpose and belonging. And let's face it, motherhood is NOT a flash in the pan kinda gig! You are in it for the long haul. It can be relentless and overwhelming.
As a result, women may struggle to cope with the stress of parenting, the demands of work, and the lack of emotional support from family and friends.
Common reasons why women may feel isolated and disconnected as mothers include:
- Lack of support from family and friends
- Feeling like their needs and wants don’t matter
- Lack of time for self-care
- Lack of time and energy to do things that are enjoyable, meaningful, important or productive for self
- Feeling overwhelmed and undervalued
- Feeling disconnected from their pre-motherhood identity
- Feeling like they’re doing it all alone.
As a woman, who is a whole and complete person, with an independent identity outside of doing the mama gig, It’s important to take time to focus on yourself and find ways to connect with other women who can relate to your experience in order to alleviate feelings of isolation and disconnection. These relationships are an important way for you to bounce ideas and experiences around so that you can gain perspective, wisdom and create some sense of what is "normal" within the experience you are having.
One of the biggest contributors to feeling so lonely and disconnected is thinking that you are the only one experiencing life in a certain way. The truth is any woman who has ever been a mother has experienced some version of your journey and, depending on where they are in their own life-journey will have gems of wisdom to offer you as way of support, connection, compassion or empathy.
Although you are most likely feeling incredibly time and energy poor during this time in your life, it is important for you to find ways to build meaningful relationships and stay connected. This can be done through joining a support group, attending classes in something that interests you, reaching out to other mothers in your community or simply nurturing relationships with people you already know and love in your family or friend groups. Committing to a regular gym class, a cooking class, a mother's group or a date-night with a girl friend can make all the difference to your overall health and wellbeing.
One of the most taxing feelings as a mum is feeling like you are the most uninteresting, unimportant person in the world and that nobody wants to know about you, how you feel or what you think! That could not be further from the truth...people are innately curious, interested and helpful given the opportunity. Be decerning about who you want to share with, of course, but it is important to take the time to share experiences and feelings with other women who are able to hold space for you to open up about your experiences and perspectives honestly can help to reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging.
It is important to be selective about who you share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with, as not all ears are created equal. You want to find people who inspire, uplift and support you in ways that is in alignment with you. It is counter productive taking your challenge to someone who you feel is judging or critical of you or your experience.
You were you before you were "mum" and you need to keep "you" very much alive, well and engaged in what inspires you. Make time to take nurture and nourish yourself, physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. Ensure that adequate, quality rest is a priority. Do small, meaningful things that contribute to your self-care every day, and allocate regular time to give to hobbies or things that bring you joy to help feed your soul, reduce stress and make it easier to navigate the demands of motherhood.
OK - so yes, becoming a mum can be all of the above, but - the good news is that there ways to make life easier as a mum. 'Cos remember - "happy wife, happy life - happy spouse, happy house".
Here are some of the helpful tips and strategies to help you create connection and nourish your physical, mental, emotional and energetic needs so you can THRIVE:
- Reach out to your network. Reach out to your family, friends, and even your doctor if you need help. Ask if they can provide any advice or resources to help you navigate your way through this time in your journey of mamahood.
- Find a support group. Seek out a local mom’s group or join a virtual one online. You can talk and share your experiences with other moms, which can help you feel less alone.
- Schedule regular "me-time". Make time for yourself every day and do something that brings you joy. Whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or having a cup of tea, take a break from the demands of motherhood.
- Connect with nature. Find a nearby park or nature trail and enjoy the outdoors. Nature can help to reduce stress and anxiety and provide an emotional boost.
- Join an online community. There are many online communities dedicated to motherhood, such as Facebook groups and forums. Here, you can connect with other moms and find support and encouragement.
- Make connections. Reach out to other mothers who understand the struggles of motherhood. You can talk to them, share your concerns, and get advice.
- Practice self-care. Make sure to take care of your own needs. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and practice mindfulness.
- Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. This could be from family, friends, or even a professional.
- Practice self-compassion and empathy. Talk to yourself in the same tone of voice that you would speak with your best friend. You are doing an amazing job and it is a tough gig. You are one person and we live in a world with overwhelmingly unrealistic expectations on what a woman "should" be able to do, achieve, have or be. Kindness is key to your success as a mother, both for your personal success as a woman and for your family.
We hope these tips can help you overcome the isolation and loneliness that can come with motherhood. Remember, you are not alone and there are people who are eager to help.
If you would like Thriving Mama Hypnotherapy to be a part of your journey to creating more connection in your life so you can THRIVE through your journey of mama-hood - click on the link for our personalised one-on-one Essence of You private sessions https://thrivingmamahypnotherapy.com/pages/booking