Upcoming Mother’s day has got me thinking about the type of mum I am.

You see, I’m the type of mum who feels deep empathy with my children. Whatever troubles them, troubles me, whatever brings them joy, brings me joy…DEEPLY.

And their troubles, THEY GET ME BAD.

I’ve no doubt it’s because I live with anxiety, because I’m an empath, a highly sensitive mum… just like my mum.

I marvel and admire those mums who remain strong and stoic in the face of their kids adversities. That’s not to say they don’t care, no not at all, it’s just a whole different vibration.

All the while I’m crying, suffering, solving, waking in the middle of the night, feeling my kid’s pain and imagining them feeling their pain.

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for this gift of experiencing life, and all it has to offer in this heightened state.

But it ain’t easy.

Especially those times when everything seems to comes at once. That’s when life feels like it’s going to break me, just like it did before.

But these days, life doesn’t break me. I pick myself up everytime.

Which got me thinking about why and how I do this now?

The answer was right there. It was nothing profound.

But it made me see myself, and all the things I do, to keep me stable and able to cope with life’s challenges and realities.

The little habits and rituals, non-negotiables, my little self-care box which helps me cope with life, in light of who I AM and how I vibrate as a person.

These rituals help me cope with those sleepless nights, to show up most days with a smile on my face, to find the strength to allow my children some space to unravel the complexities of life and build resilience.

So I thought I’d write a little poem to myself this Mother’s Day, acknowledging all those things I do, which help me show up each day in the best way I can.

THANK YOU ME

Thank you nature, you give me so much – your healing sun, fresh air, silence, reflection and earthing all uplift my soul keeping me grounded and centred

Thank you body for moving daily, exercising, keeping me strong and releasing my happy hormones

Thank you food for flooding my body with goodness with every bite and sip, cleansing and detoxifying, nourishing and healing

Thank you me for not trying to do it all, knowing all too well that burnout is at bay

Thank you work for fulfilling my soul and connecting me to my purpose each day

Thank you friends for the dinner catch ups, the laughs, love and cocktails recharge me

Thank you me for creating solitude and space which I desperately need to replenish and refresh my soul

Thank you breath for slowing me down, bringing me back to the moment, keeping me alive, I’d be totally lost without you

Thank you family for your uncondtional love, trust and forgiveness, snuggles, kisses, pure joy and everything you teach me

Thank you healers for keeping me balanced and in touch with the inner workings and needs of my body

Thank you me for striving to be the best mum you can be, ever evolving, changing, growing and loving

Happy Mother’s day mums.  I know motherhood can be such a struggle for so many. Perhaps the best gift you could give yourself for Sunday is a little thank you acknowledgement too.

I’d LOVE to hear the things you can thank yourself for, please go ahead and write to me in the comments.

Bren x

Peace and quiet and freedom, I’m talking about, not a working internet connection, though there’s no way to disturb tranquility quite like your Wifi bludging on the job!

So, when Hubby took the kids away for a few days to allow me to fully concentrate on a busy work schedule, I made the most of it. Granted, it felt kind of odd initially. Not having the family around for an extended period of time is very rare, and it’s not something I seek out. But as the general background noise flittered away, as did the feeling of responsibility to anyone but myself, I kind of got into it and my displacement disappeared. Ok, ok, not having to repeat myself every five minutes and a lack of screeching also helped!

My first (excrutiatingly difficult) decision was to go for walk. A sense of peace washed over me. How naughty – an afternoon walk. I never do this! Working all day, spending time with kids and/or prepping dinner is the usual fare in the afternoon.

It was liberating knowing I  had  nowhere to be. I could stop and talk to locals (not in a creepy way) as I meandered around the coastline without worrying that I had somewhere to be or duties to perform at home. How good is taking your time, arriving home and pouring a glass of wine (I didn’t want to spill any while I was power walking), and relaxing with a movie on TV?

All in ‘me’ time.

I have friends who semi-regularly take themselves away to a health spa, or holiday with their friends. They can’t recommend it highly enough, and it’s only natural to be just that tinsy bit jealous. But for one reason or another, I’ve found it difficult to seperate from my kids and family, whose company and presence I love so much. Whether part of the reason is being uncomfortable separating from routine, or a mother’s sense of guilt, or something else, it’s something I’d like to explore. After all, ‘me’ time is an important part of all our lives, and more than just a morning walk before re-entering reality.

After a few days on my own, which included shopping and catching up with friends (in between and after work!), I can more clearly appreciate the benefits having some downtime and breaking away from the routine. Yes, even from the family every now and then! Now, it’s not like I want my three children … er, husband and two children … galavanting around without me on a regular basis. It just happened to work out that way this time.

It sure is nice to focus on yourself and unwind with a sense of freedom occasionally.

No responsibilities. No guilt. Just me.

Bren x

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