In the whirlwind of motherhood, it's easy to lose sight of ourselves – our needs, our emotions, and our core values. Yes we can enjoy a glass of wine with friends or day at the spa, but to truly come into our own requires greater reflection and work. Cultivating self-awareness is not just a luxury; it's a powerful tool that can transform our experience as women and mothers and deepen our connections with our children.
The Power of Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. When we lack self-awareness, we risk operating on autopilot, reacting impulsively to situations and missing opportunities for growth and connection.
However, when we embrace self-awareness, we unlock a world of benefits:
Emotional regulation: By recognising our emotional patterns, we can respond more mindfully to challenging situations, rather than reacting from a place of overwhelm or frustration.
Boundary-setting: Understanding our needs and limitations allows us to establish healthy boundaries, preventing burnout and resentment.
Deeper connections: Self-awareness heightens our ability to empathise with ourselves and our children, creating a foundation for more meaningful and nurturing relationships.
Self-acceptance: By embracing our authentic selves, flaws and all, we model the invaluable lesson of self-compassion and self-love for our children.
The Research on Self-Awareness and Mindful Parenting
Recent research has shed light on the transformative power of self-awareness and mindful parenting. A study by Amanda Louise Barrett examined the impact of a mindfully-based parent education program which increased self-awareness. The results demonstrated an increase in parents' self-awareness, awareness of their parenting values and beliefs, and therefore their connection with their children.
Cultivating Self-Awareness as a Mother
Self-awareness is a daily journey of growth. I strive to become a little better than I was the day before. Here are some practical steps I have found nourishing:Â
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or mindful breathing, can help us stay present and attuned to our thoughts and emotions in the moment. I started small, 1:30 mins with weekly increments to my quiet time. But this varies from week to week too. Be kind to yourself.
Journal: Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and gaining insights into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Set aside time each day or week to write down your experiences, emotions, and observations. I started with post-its as an A5 or A4 page seemed too big and blank.
Seek feedback: Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from loved ones, friends, or professionals. Their perspectives can shed light on blind spots or patterns you may not be aware of, helping you grow in self-awareness.
Embrace self-compassion: Be kind and patient with yourself as you navigate the challenges of motherhood. Recognize that self-awareness is a lifelong practice, and there will be moments when you lose sight of it – but the beauty is that you can always come back to it. There’s no ‘bad’ only progress.
Get coaching: Working with a coach or therapist can provide a structured and supportive environment for exploring your inner world, challenging limiting beliefs, and developing greater self-awareness. Schedule a call here to understand how coaching can helpÂ
As you might know all too well that parenthood heightens the believe that we need to be doing, doing, doing, creating a disconnect within ourselves. Parenthood is not a competition but a time to awaken ourselves so that we become better people and carers for our children. Let’s model for our children the invaluable lesson of self-acceptance and self-care, empowering them to grow into self-aware, compassionate individuals themselves.Â
I create an immersive coaching experience for mothers to tap into their inner wisdom, gain clarity and self-awareness. Join me this June to reflect, refocus and rejuvenate in a mini city retreat called Seasons Change.
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