Little Isabella was born last July, and is growing up far too quickly for my liking. At 10 months old, it’s hard to picture her as a small newborn baby. No one would disagree that there are challenges that come with motherhood as well as joyous times. Looking back now all my biggest challenges thus far have required one thing, though expressed in three different way. Strength – physical, mental and emotional.
Physical Strength
Physical strength is found in the intensity of birthing, the demand to recover quickly and that ability to keep providing even when you feel most exhausted. Birthing is physical, motherhood is physical and a strong woman will have more reserve to persevere. This strength comes from lifting heavy things (ideally more than just a child and a washing basket). Even 10 mins a day of exercise will give you a quality boost of endorphins and begin to increase muscle mass – just work as hard as you can.
Mental Strength
Your mental strength is tested when your ideals and decisions are challenged – sometimes over the smallest details of how you raise your children. Breast feeding vs bottle feeding, religion, vaccination, when to start solids, what to let your child eat, discipline and so many other topics I’m yet to even hear about I’m sure. This strength is vital to standing firm in your choices, knowing why you may be going against the normal, upholding a higher standard for your child. Being challenged is never easy, but it’s going to happen. Flex your mental muscles by reviewing your decisions and researching any areas your feel grey in – this way when you’re next challenged you’ll feel confident that you know why you’ve done what you’ve done.
Emtional Strength
Oh how the hormones play with this in the early days! Long nights, learning new skills, sick children, discipline and teaching the same lesson five hundred times over will all test your emotional strength. Build yourself up first so that you can be the foundation for your family. Self care is a must: eat quality foods, exercise and be active, see the sunlight, speak to friends who lift you up, journal, meditate and surround your life with anything that speaks joy into you.
We all need a little strength – I’m sure that many more challenges await me on the most amazing path I call my life of Motherhood. Better go lift some weights.
