A happier and healthier mum has benefits for the whole family.
“You can’t pour from an empty vessel” is a well-worn motto for a reason. And yet as mothers we are notorious for putting ourselves last and prioritising the welfare of others. We want to be everything to everyone and more often than not we land at the bottom of the heap. We neglect our own emotional health. Sound familiar?
Motherhood can be a deeply fulfilling experience but it can also be challenging and confronting. You hit the ground running, without training but with full responsibility. It is relentless, demanding and all-consuming. And this is on a good day. When things go a bit pear-shaped, or life throws some epic challenges at you, it can feel impossible.
At various times I have suffered complete motherhood burnout. At one point a doctor said to me, “You can’t drive around on an empty tank forever. Sooner or later you will run out of petrol and break down.” These words rang true for me as I had been totally neglecting my emotional health. I put some measures in place to prioritise my own health and wellbeing….