Before my baby arrived, I imagined motherhood as a peaceful blend of snuggles, lullabies, and soft-focus joy. But the moment I held that tiny human in my arms, reality showed up — raw, beautiful, overwhelming, and utterly transformative.
No book warned me how intense the emotions would be. One minute, I was staring at my baby with joy so fierce it hurt; the next, I was crying in the bathroom because I hadn’t slept in days and felt like I was failing. The emotional waves came without warning, but each one carved something new into me — patience, resilience, deep empathy.
Motherly became a place I returned to often — their stories made me feel seen, not judged.
And the sleep… I thought I understood tiredness. But this was a different kind of exhaustion — the kind that makes you forget words mid-sentence and wonder if you’ve eaten today. My baby didn’t follow the sleep advice I read. I learned quickly that sometimes the only thing that helps is surrendering to the moment — and napping when they nap, even if the dishes pile up.
I used Hatch Rest and white noise playlists on Calm to try and help us both rest better.
Looking in the mirror postpartum was another jolt. My body had changed — a softer belly, stretch marks I hadn’t seen coming, and hair falling out by the handful. I felt unfamiliar to myself. But that same body had created and nourished life. Over time, I stopped looking for my old self and started honoring the one I had become.
Bio-Oil helped with my stretch marks, but what really helped was reading empowering posts like this one: Loving My Mom Body, Scars and All (insert your blog’s post link here).
Then came the advice — from family, friends, strangers, even online groups. Everyone had something to say about sleep training, breastfeeding, discipline. I used to absorb it all. Eventually, I realized the best decisions came from my own instincts, not from a flood of outside opinions.
For solid advice I could trust, I often turned to HealthyChildren.org by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
There were moments when I desperately needed help but didn’t want to ask — as if needing rest made me less of a mother. It took time to understand that strong mothers ask for help. Whether it was my partner taking the baby for an hour, or my mom dropping by with food, these moments saved me from burnout.
Must Read - Unlocking the Secrets: A Mother's Guide to Losing Belly Fat
The Peanut App was a game-changer for finding mom friends when I felt isolated.
I also learned that self-care doesn’t need to be fancy. Sometimes it’s stepping outside with a cup of tea. Sometimes it’s saying no to visitors and yes to a nap. It’s carving out pieces of yourself in the midst of giving so much away.
I even wrote about it here: Quick Self-Care Routines for Moms Who Can’t Sit Still (add your blog post link).
Becoming a mom also changed my relationship. My partner and I were sleep-deprived and short-fused. We argued more than usual. But when we made space for each other, even if it was just watching a movie together in silence, we found our rhythm again.
I found that The Gottman Institute offered amazing insight into parenting + couple dynamics.
The hardest lesson was learning not to compare. My baby didn’t hit the milestones when the books said they would. At first, I worried. But in time, I saw that my child was blooming — just not on anyone else’s schedule. And that was perfectly okay.
Of course, there were mistakes. I forgot appointments, mixed up bottles, and once left the house with no diapers. I used to beat myself up over it. But then I saw my baby smile at me — like I was the safest place in the world. That’s when I knew: I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to be present.
Want to hear more of my mom fails? I share them all here: My Funniest Mom Moments That Made Me Stronger
No one can prepare you for how deeply you’ll love. For the way their tiny hand holds your finger. The way they calm in your arms. The way your world gets smaller, and yet bigger, all at once. Motherhood isn’t tidy or predictable — but it’s the most profound thing I’ve ever done.
And here's something else: you don’t have to lose yourself. You’re still you. A mom, yes — but also a creator, a dreamer, a woman with fire in her heart. I started this blog not just to write, but to remember myself. You don’t have to choose between your child and your calling. Let them grow together.
