Embracing Freedom: How to Let Go of Mum Guilt
Being a mother is a tough job, and it comes with its fair share of challenges. If you often find yourself feeling guilty about the things you’ve done or haven’t done as a mother, you are not alone. Otherwise known as mum guilt, the feeling can be overwhelming and consume you if not addressed. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome this emotional hurdle and embrace the freedom that comes with letting go of mum guilt.
Accept that you are doing your best
As a mum, you are doing your best to care for your children and family. Acknowledge the effort you are putting in and the sacrifices you are making, and give yourself credit for it. Your children love and appreciate you, and that’s all that matters.
Stop comparing yourself to others
Social media can make it seem like everyone is the perfect mother and has it all together. However, this is more often far from the truth. Remind yourself that each family is unique and has different circumstances. Focus on your journey rather than comparing yourself to others.
Prioritise self-care
Taking care of yourself is paramount to taking care of your family. Allowing yourself to take a break and recharge not only benefits you but also your family. It is important to have some time away, whether it be a trip to the spa, a coffee with a friend, or a solo walk.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help relieve mum guilt. It encourages you to be present in the moment and stop worrying about the past or future. When you take time to be present with your children, you begin to appreciate the little moments that make motherhood special and meaningful.
Learn to say no
As a mother, it is important to be there for your children but also set boundaries and say no when you need to. You don’t have to be constantly overextending yourself to be a good mother. Your happiness and well-being matter too.
Mum guilt often creeps up on us and can be difficult to let go of. However, by accepting that you are doing your best, prioritising self-care, and practising mindfulness, you can ease the burden of guilt and lead a more fulfilling motherhood journey. By letting go of mum guilt, you will be able to embrace freedom and find joy in the small moments of life. Start by taking one step at a time, and you’ll notice a positive change in your life. Remember, you deserve to enjoy motherhood just as much as your children do.
Want to know more? Discover more about the benefits of scientific mindfulness meditation for parenting in Dr. Elise Bialylew’s book The Happiness Plan 💛
"If we wish to be healthy, happy and clear-minded, we need to upgrade our “inner technology”of attention to meet the demands of our increasingly complex world. That's where mindfulness comes in.."
- DR ELISE BIALYLEW
about the HOST AND FOUNDER OF
MINDFUL IN MAY:
DR ELISE BIALYLEW
Elise Bialylew is the author of the bestselling book, The Happiness Plan, and founder of Mindful in May, the world’s largest online global mindfulness fundraising campaign.
A doctor trained in psychiatry, turned social entrepreneur and mindfulness expert, she’s passionate about supporting individuals and organisations to develop inner tools for greater wellbeing and flourishing, and offers workshops and training at The Mind Life Project.
Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, New York Times and on Australian Television. She was recently recognised by the Australian Financial Review as a 2019 AFR Women of Influence.
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