How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood

It is exciting. First you go from a “me” to a “we”. Then, as time goes on, you find “we” grows by 2 feet at a time. It is miraculous and blissful until you realize that over the years you lost you “me”. That’s when you need to learn how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood.

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3 Women with their arms around each other by a lake with text overlay: How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood

 

[bctt tweet=”Do you feel like you lost your identity in the trenches of life and motherhood? It’s time to learn how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood.” username=”diyadulation”]

I know what it is like to totally lose your identity in the trenches of motherhood. You are so busy making sure that everyone else is taken care of that you stop taking care of yourself. Suddenly, you wake up one day and wonder why you’re exhausted, stressed out, and unhappy.

You can’t keep giving 110% while only replenishing 5. And yet, we continue to do that day after day. We are lucky to get a shower every day, let alone truly take time for ourselves. We are sacrificing our lives and calling it love.

 

Multicolored marbles on pink background with text overlay: Accept Responsibility

Accepting Responsibility

Are you ready for the hard truth? It is our fault. It is no one else’s responsibility to take care of you but you. Yes, your husband loves you and wants to take care of you but what kind of precedent have you set? If you don’t prioritize your own health and happiness, why would anyone else?

I have felt like I completely lost myself twice in my adult life. The first time was after I had my daughter and spurred on, in part, by extreme postpartum depression. I got on anti-depressants, started feeling better, and thought that was that.

A few years later I realized I felt lost again and couldn’t figure out why. I had a house, a beautiful family, and a ton of friends. So why was I unhappy?

The answer is because I didn’t set the foundation. I got all of the things I though I needed, like friends and a house I own, without getting to the root of the problem the first time around. I blamed it all on the depression and never took the time to find out who I am at my core and building a life around that.

 

Multicolored marbles on light pink background with text overlay: Set the Foundation

Setting the Foundation

Setting your foundation isn’t about finding friends and hobbies. It isn’t about setting goals and reaching them. It is about knowing yourself well enough to seek out the right friends, hobbies you truly enjoy, and goals to achieve the future you need.

By all societal accounts, I had the American Dream yet I was miserable a lot of the time. I hadn’t taken the time to find myself so that I could go after things that aligned with who I am. It wasn’t my depression or my finances. It wasn’t anything being done to me. I had done this to myself.

That’s why days 2-7 of my Write31 Days Challenge focus on setting your foundation. That foundation is the keystone of how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood. You can’t build anything until you have that foundation. These posts will walk you through setting up that foundation.

Foundation Posts:

2. Why All Moms Need a Journal

3. Find Your Cheerleader

4. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards

5. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery

6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs

7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time

 

Multicolored marbles on teal background with text overlay: Put Yourself First

Putting Yourself First

The next 7 days in how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood is the hardest. It doesn’t come naturally for moms to put themselves first. This is still something even I struggle with. It simply isn’t intuitive so when I don’t make the conscious effort, my default is to always put others first.

Note:

Yet you do this with yourself all of the time. You think that this is what all moms do. Some moms will even shame you for putting yourself first. That’s when you need to put your blinders on and tune it out. You aren’t being the best mom you can if you aren’t replenished, happy, and healthy.

How do you learn to put yourself first? That’s what days 8 through 14 are going to teach you.

Putting Yourself First Posts:

8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery

9. How to Love Yourself First

10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive

11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom

12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers

13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships

14. It’s Time to Break Up with Yourself

 

Multicolored marbles on peach background with text overlay: Date Yourself

Start Dating Yourself

The third part of how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood is to start dating yourself. This is similar to traditional dating in that some dates should be done alone and others will be group outings. It is also a priority in your life, just as date nights with your husband are.

These posts walk you through the actions that create a lasting practice of growth and discovery. Making these a priority are how you keep from losing yourself again 5, or even 10 years, down the road. 

Date Yourself Posts:

15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging

16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It

17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM

18. Turn Someday into Today

19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes

20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies

21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love

Putting It into Practice

After you’ve worked through days 2-21 of this Write31 Days Challenge, it is time to put it into practice. The last 10 days of how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood are ideas and practices that help you integrate self love and discovery into your everyday life.

These are the things that you can pick and choose from. You don’t have to do everything, although, creating a routine and stopping negative self talk shouldn’t be skipped. Use these posts to try out new things and be intentional in your life once and for all.

Put It into Practice Posts:

22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine

23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk

24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself

25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete

26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself

27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly

28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home

29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House

30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom

31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection

 

3 Women with their arms around each other by a lake with text overlay: How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood

I know this process for how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood is intimidating to look at but I will break it down for you, step-by-step. You will learn how to set the foundation, start putting yourself first, and date yourself with intention. If you have lost yourself, you owe it to your family and you to be the happiest and healthiest person you can be. This will improve so many areas of your life if you commit to it.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

3 Women with their arms around each other by a lake with text overlay: How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood

 

Below, you can find a link to every post in this series. Please note that the links will take you to a “Page Not Found” until the day the post is live. You can also check out the Instagram challenge that goes along with the series to find awesome moms just like you on a journey to self discovery.

How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction (You are here)
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection 

Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge

Do you feel like you woke up one day and realized you had no idea who you were outside of a mom and a wife? Too many stay-at-home moms (SAHM) find themselves in this position. That why, in addition to the series How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood, I’m also hosting a Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Image of Rediscovery Mom Instagram Challenge on Feminine Background with text overlay: Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge

 

[bctt tweet=”You feel like an angry mom, don’t feel sexy, and self care is non-existent. You’re not alone. The rediscovery mom 31 day Instagram challenge can help.” username=”diyadulation”]

I know how scary, stressful, and bewildering it can be to lose sight of who you are. I understand how hard it is when you fee l like you’re having more bad days than good. When you lose sight of yourself, all facets of your life suffer.

You’re more impatient and angry with your kids. You don’t feel like being intimate with your husband. Hanging out with friends becomes a constant complaint session. Self care pretty much goes out the window.

That is a terrifying reality for too many SAHM. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then this series is for you.

 

 

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Purpose of the Instagram Challenge

We live in a truly amazing time. The internet makes it easy for SAHM to connect and find community. You no longer have to fall prey to the loneliness and isolation that can come with staying home with your kids.

The purpose of this Instagram challenge is to give you a way to connect with other SAHM going through the same thing you are. You can find your cheerleaders to bolster your efforts. Connect with moms who share your hobbies. Be inspired by the things others are brave enough to try.

 

Square Rediscovery Mom Instagram Challenge Image

Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge

In case you’re someone who needs some examples for what to share, I’ve included some ideas for each day. Remember that these correspond with the series starting next month, so be sure to follow along on the blog too.

Intro Selfie 

My Journal 

My BIG Why 

Your Cheerleader 

Positive Affirmation 

Meeting My Needs 

Activity/Chore to Cut 

Me Time 

What I’m Listening To 

Get Outside 

New Boundary 

New Food to Try 

Fun Makeup Selfie 

Mini Oasis 

Break-Up Letter 

Date Night Look 

In My Cup 

Goal Setting 

Clothes You’re Tossing 

Hobby I Love 

New Activity to Try 

Self Care Activity 

Favorite Feature 

New Haircut/Style 

Bucket List 

At Home Date Night 

Night Out 

Alternative Self Care Idea 

Unplugged 

Embracing My Weird 

Reflection Selfie 

 

Image of Rediscovery Mom Instagram Challenge on Feminine Background with text overlay: Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge

I am so excited for this Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge. I want to help and connect with you throughout this journey so make sure you check share the Instagram image and use the challenge hashtag #rediscovermom. This will also make it easy to connect with other SAHM going through this journey with you. See you October 1st for the start of How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Image of Rediscovery Mom Instagram Challenge on Feminine Background with text overlay: Rediscovery Mom 31 Day Instagram Challenge

 

More Ideas You’ll Love: