Building Resilience: How I Transformed Physically and Mentally During My Postpartum Journey
Last January, I began this postpartum journey.
My mental health was different. My hair was different. My skin was different. My physical capability was different. I was 7 weeks postpartum. I gave birth to my sweet son via emergency c-section that was entirely unplanned - and, so were the post-op complications that followed.
There’s been so much change within myself in the last 18 months since that first photo.
Looking back has me applauding myself HARD. That photo transports me back to how emotionally exhausted I was, as well as dealing with postpartum anxiety…. And it really would’ve been so, so easy to stop fighting for my wellness.
This road. has. been. long.
But, wow, today, I feel strong as hell.
Two major focuses that have helped me see massive progress postpartum:
Breaking Bad: Habits I Ditched for a Better Me
I stopped habits that weren’t working for me anymore, such as: Drinking alcohol, succumbing to stress and anxiety, living with massive clutter in my life and in my house that triggered my postpartum anxiety, I made professional shifts, created healthy boundaries with family and friends (less/no contact with people who did not make my nervous system and gut feel good), I also set boundaries with how I use social media…Much less time online because I was struggling with comparison).
Power Moves: Habits That Ignited My Journey
I went ALL IN with existing habits from before baby and before pregnancy that were still benefitting me positively, such as: I maintained my at-home daily workout routine - Working our 4 to 5 days per week, for 20 to 30 minutes per day using an online gym library and exercising from home between baby’s naps. I also used pre-and-post natal-specific programs. I focused on my gut health via dialing in my nutrition and eliminating / modifying my consumption of inflammatory foods. I did lower-impact workout programs. I focused on drinking more water, eating a wider variety of vegetables, and getting sleep (whenever I can🤪) stretching and yoga, daily outdoor walks, daily check-ins with my private community and my clients.
A bonus focus was always working on my mindset. I listened to countless audiobooks on my postpartum walks, all revolving around motherhood, partnerships after baby, maternal mental and emotional health, attachment theory, and more. It helped me build a mental resilience unlike any other thing I focused on, so click here to read my blog post about my most recommended books!
You might also feel different than last January. Getting to know new versions of yourself is often an uncomfortable, unsexy process. But is endlessly worth your while. You deserve your time, effort, energy, love, and attention.
Send this blog post to a friend, or new mother, who needs the reminder today.
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Amanda xo