A brilliant post, thank you for speaking about it. Lovely to hear the human voice in the coaching world.
I’ve done lots of reading this year around the value we, as a society, place on care work and parenting. It’s been really helpful. Noticing all the things I am doing in my role as primary care giver. Rather than obsessing about all the things I’m not managing to do.
Finding the balance between work and parenting is a work in progress (probably always will be) but it’s felt better this year and I am proud of that.
Thank you Hannah ❤️. I love that change in perspective you mention, noticing all the things you are doing. Even just thinking about that makes me think,wow yes actually I'm doing a lot. I'd love to hear more about what you've read too. I'm glad that you've had a better balance between work and parenting this year too. Absolutely, always a work in progress!! X
Oh I resonate with so much of this, I’m having to write this in my notes app as I go along 😆
Firstly, thank you SO much for putting a voice to the fact that working and being productive can get harder as our babies grow. I personally find 18 months to about 3 to be the hardest time and yet no one really has any compassion or understanding of that.
I’ve struggled so much this year with growing things and opening up a physical space, all whilst having my two year old with me. My colleague could sit in meetings with her baby whilst I was constantly needing to juggle and find more childcare for my toddler, who would never sit quietly or even still.
I know it will grow slow until she’s in school. And I want that, because I will never get this time back with her. But the pressure and expectations from others have just floored me this year and had me working myself into the ground.
Time to say ‘fuck that’ - metaphorically but also I’ve definitely said that out loud to people this last few weeks 😂🤦🏼♀️🤷🏻♀️
I'm so glad this post resonated Zoe - tbh I nearly didn't post it because I thought are people going to think I'm flaky or should I admit I'm not consistent out loud?? So to get comments like this makes me glad that I did post because that's what it's about isn't it, that connection and saying, I get it too.
Yes, absolutely agree with you on 18mths -3 years being hardest to work around, it worked better when he was a baby.
You've done amazing to do what you've done juggling it all - thiugh there comes a point which sounds like we are both at where it's like, I'm done with the juggle!! Yes, the slower growth thing is just necessary now I think at the age they are - like you say you won't get this time back. I'm sorry that you've had all of these huge expectations on you, that is super tough to deal with xx
I just came across this post from your most recent.. I was in my own pause for a while so missed quite a bit here.. and I just loved this so much!! It truly is hard at times, I’ve been struggling with it since I started here, because just so much has been going on alongside my own burnout healing, so I appreciate so much your honesty here! I also agree if there is someone I like to read I’m just happy to read whenever they pop up again! We all have to do what is best for ourselves, and I think with that authenticity is how we will continue to grow 🤍
Sorry I totally missed this comment Jennifer - I don't get notified when I get a new comment on my post, which is a pain! Thank you for your lovely comment and I'm so glad that it struck a chord with you. It's such a struggle balancing everything, especially for you with burnout recovery too, that sounds really tough. Hope you are getting moments here and there to rest. You are so right, by showing up as our authentic selves, we can't go far wrong. It's always the posts that I feel vulnerable about posting because I think, is it only me? Pretty much all of the time, it's never just me which is comforting! Hope you've had a lovely weekend x
Thank you for sharing this. I can definitely relate to the struggle of putting this pressure on myself to grow my writing career and be consistent while my son is growing older and dreading the day he outgrows his two naps. 😬 I’ve posted over 100 letters in a little over a year and I’m just not sure it’s a pace I want or need to continue. I also don’t want to miss this time with my son and have felt lately that my twice a week posting is due a shift. It’s scary because it seems counterintuitive to my goals of making more money and growing my community but following our intuition is often that way! I’d love to hear from others how they’re navigating this!
One of my first posts here was about intentional inconsistency (in the context of journaling.) Ironically I tried a weekly(ish) publishing schedule for quite a long time before realizing the pressure and time commitment of that was too much. I’m switching to a monthly email which might point to other posts if I have the energy and inspiration to write them. Let the posts bubble up instead of forcing them in a certain rhythm. Overall motherhood is teaching me to honor my capacity and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn.
I love that term - intentional inconsistency - it instantly takes the pressure off when you say it. Yes, I did similar with the weekly posts but also realised it was too much. A monthly email sounds great and letting the posts bubble up too must feel so much better. Gosh yes, I'm with you there, so so hard to honour our own capacity because there's always more to do, or more we want to do but we just can't sometimes. And our capacity changes doesn't it with our own energy, the seasons and as our kids grow. Constantly changing, it's hard to keep up!
You speak such truth Jenna, I think as others have said and I agree this work/mum balance is so hard to get right and we probably never will either in the sense of matching our own or others expectations. It’s so important though that you are doing what is right for you and you have great achievements to celebrate so far. 🙌🏻
Such an important topic of conversation, and one I really relate to. Our seasons of motherhood shift and evolve and don’t always match the environmental ones and I’ve had to learn to be OK with that. I think it’s beautiful you are honouring yourself in this way and devoting yourself to creating as the energy and space is there. I have no doubt you will still be making magic. Xxx
Thank you for your comment Mariah ❤️- I'm so glad that this resonates with you. Wow, you've done amazing posting 100 letters so far, twice a week too, you should be really proud. Yes that's it isn't it, it seems counterintuitive doesn't it, but like you say following your intuition has to be a good thing. It's a real balance isn't it, and like you I want to enjoy this time with my youngest, as I know how fast it goes x
Thank you Kylie-Ann ❤️ - I love what you say there about our own and others expectations, it's so true and hard to step out of/away from. But gosh the liberation when we do! Thank you, glad I've given everything a try, lots to build on, but at my own pace now x
Thank you Lauren, and it's good to hear you related to this too - it's so easy to think that we are the only ones struggling with sonething sometimes. I love how youve brought that compassion in too. Thank you for those lovely words, you are so kind ❤️. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes up creatively from being more intuitive rather than pushing myself. Also, I read your post around being patient and letting creative ideas land with us - such wonderful words ❤️
A brilliant post, thank you for speaking about it. Lovely to hear the human voice in the coaching world.
I’ve done lots of reading this year around the value we, as a society, place on care work and parenting. It’s been really helpful. Noticing all the things I am doing in my role as primary care giver. Rather than obsessing about all the things I’m not managing to do.
Finding the balance between work and parenting is a work in progress (probably always will be) but it’s felt better this year and I am proud of that.
Thank you Hannah ❤️. I love that change in perspective you mention, noticing all the things you are doing. Even just thinking about that makes me think,wow yes actually I'm doing a lot. I'd love to hear more about what you've read too. I'm glad that you've had a better balance between work and parenting this year too. Absolutely, always a work in progress!! X
Oh I resonate with so much of this, I’m having to write this in my notes app as I go along 😆
Firstly, thank you SO much for putting a voice to the fact that working and being productive can get harder as our babies grow. I personally find 18 months to about 3 to be the hardest time and yet no one really has any compassion or understanding of that.
I’ve struggled so much this year with growing things and opening up a physical space, all whilst having my two year old with me. My colleague could sit in meetings with her baby whilst I was constantly needing to juggle and find more childcare for my toddler, who would never sit quietly or even still.
I know it will grow slow until she’s in school. And I want that, because I will never get this time back with her. But the pressure and expectations from others have just floored me this year and had me working myself into the ground.
Time to say ‘fuck that’ - metaphorically but also I’ve definitely said that out loud to people this last few weeks 😂🤦🏼♀️🤷🏻♀️
Thank you for this ❤️❤️
I'm so glad this post resonated Zoe - tbh I nearly didn't post it because I thought are people going to think I'm flaky or should I admit I'm not consistent out loud?? So to get comments like this makes me glad that I did post because that's what it's about isn't it, that connection and saying, I get it too.
Yes, absolutely agree with you on 18mths -3 years being hardest to work around, it worked better when he was a baby.
You've done amazing to do what you've done juggling it all - thiugh there comes a point which sounds like we are both at where it's like, I'm done with the juggle!! Yes, the slower growth thing is just necessary now I think at the age they are - like you say you won't get this time back. I'm sorry that you've had all of these huge expectations on you, that is super tough to deal with xx
I just came across this post from your most recent.. I was in my own pause for a while so missed quite a bit here.. and I just loved this so much!! It truly is hard at times, I’ve been struggling with it since I started here, because just so much has been going on alongside my own burnout healing, so I appreciate so much your honesty here! I also agree if there is someone I like to read I’m just happy to read whenever they pop up again! We all have to do what is best for ourselves, and I think with that authenticity is how we will continue to grow 🤍
Sorry I totally missed this comment Jennifer - I don't get notified when I get a new comment on my post, which is a pain! Thank you for your lovely comment and I'm so glad that it struck a chord with you. It's such a struggle balancing everything, especially for you with burnout recovery too, that sounds really tough. Hope you are getting moments here and there to rest. You are so right, by showing up as our authentic selves, we can't go far wrong. It's always the posts that I feel vulnerable about posting because I think, is it only me? Pretty much all of the time, it's never just me which is comforting! Hope you've had a lovely weekend x
Thank you for sharing this. I can definitely relate to the struggle of putting this pressure on myself to grow my writing career and be consistent while my son is growing older and dreading the day he outgrows his two naps. 😬 I’ve posted over 100 letters in a little over a year and I’m just not sure it’s a pace I want or need to continue. I also don’t want to miss this time with my son and have felt lately that my twice a week posting is due a shift. It’s scary because it seems counterintuitive to my goals of making more money and growing my community but following our intuition is often that way! I’d love to hear from others how they’re navigating this!
One of my first posts here was about intentional inconsistency (in the context of journaling.) Ironically I tried a weekly(ish) publishing schedule for quite a long time before realizing the pressure and time commitment of that was too much. I’m switching to a monthly email which might point to other posts if I have the energy and inspiration to write them. Let the posts bubble up instead of forcing them in a certain rhythm. Overall motherhood is teaching me to honor my capacity and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn.
I love that term - intentional inconsistency - it instantly takes the pressure off when you say it. Yes, I did similar with the weekly posts but also realised it was too much. A monthly email sounds great and letting the posts bubble up too must feel so much better. Gosh yes, I'm with you there, so so hard to honour our own capacity because there's always more to do, or more we want to do but we just can't sometimes. And our capacity changes doesn't it with our own energy, the seasons and as our kids grow. Constantly changing, it's hard to keep up!
It changes so much! Just when I think I’ve figured it all out it changes again. 🤪
Yes!! Same here!!🤣
You speak such truth Jenna, I think as others have said and I agree this work/mum balance is so hard to get right and we probably never will either in the sense of matching our own or others expectations. It’s so important though that you are doing what is right for you and you have great achievements to celebrate so far. 🙌🏻
Such an important topic of conversation, and one I really relate to. Our seasons of motherhood shift and evolve and don’t always match the environmental ones and I’ve had to learn to be OK with that. I think it’s beautiful you are honouring yourself in this way and devoting yourself to creating as the energy and space is there. I have no doubt you will still be making magic. Xxx
Thank you for the mention, I’m so glad my post resonated with you. 💛
Thank you for your comment Mariah ❤️- I'm so glad that this resonates with you. Wow, you've done amazing posting 100 letters so far, twice a week too, you should be really proud. Yes that's it isn't it, it seems counterintuitive doesn't it, but like you say following your intuition has to be a good thing. It's a real balance isn't it, and like you I want to enjoy this time with my youngest, as I know how fast it goes x
Thank you Kylie-Ann ❤️ - I love what you say there about our own and others expectations, it's so true and hard to step out of/away from. But gosh the liberation when we do! Thank you, glad I've given everything a try, lots to build on, but at my own pace now x
Thank you Lauren, and it's good to hear you related to this too - it's so easy to think that we are the only ones struggling with sonething sometimes. I love how youve brought that compassion in too. Thank you for those lovely words, you are so kind ❤️. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes up creatively from being more intuitive rather than pushing myself. Also, I read your post around being patient and letting creative ideas land with us - such wonderful words ❤️