Being a mom is one of the most humbling experiences, especially when you start as a #singlemother. Being a career mom is also humbling because daily you may deal with some sort of #momguilt depending on the age of your children.
This first newsletter of The Phoenix Protocol is introduce you to us, and let you know what to expect bi-weekly.
As a mom of four, two teenagers and two toddlers, I have had my share of humbling experiences and way too much mom guilt over these pass 17 years. The Phoenix Protocol is a newsletter that will inspire, empower, and encourage you as you reshape the way that you look at motherhood and provide strategies to reshape the way we as mothers view ourselves.
Rewrite Your Story
The way that your were raised, we all know, affects the way that you learn and react to many different situations in life. For me growing up with a strong woman was my blue print. I was taught to "make it happen". When I became a #singlemother at the age of 24 I had no idea what I was getting into! Did you when you became a mother? I was very naïve and that tainted the way that I looked at being a mother especially when I was unable to do certain things for my son. The first time I had to miss a school event due to being in school full-time, I experienced #mom-guilt. As a wife, I experienced another taint in the way I processed motherhood when I experienced #miscarriage for the first time. Again, I was unaware of how this situation would bring a sense of fear to my motherhood journey.
How I rewrote my story..
Experiencing loss of any kind can be traumatic. It could be the loss of a child, spouse, parent, job, relationship etc., it all changes your view. Here are three ways changing your view will help you to rewrite your story.
- Trust God. What this looked liked for me was prayer, lots of tears, and more prayer. The way that you see the situation when it first happens is not how you will see it in retrospect. The key that God plays in your life is that He helps you see Him in all things. Asking questions is okay and then listening for an answer will help you see a glimmer of hope. Understand that God gave you those children and whatever you need to take care of them is already inside of you, no matter the circumstance.
- Give yourself Grace. Sometimes you are too hard on yourself. If you watch the next mom and want to do what she is doing, look how she looks, or raise your children the same way, you are doing yourself a disservice. Grace allows you to find peace in the most crazy times. Times when you have 5 meetings at work, team sports for kids at night, dinner needs to be made, you want to go on a date, and you forgot to pay a bill. That is where grace steps in and you take a deep breath. Tell yourself, "This is what I dreamed of and I wont let this season stress me. I will let it grow me into the Grace God has placed on my life." There will still be yelling, toys thrown, and crayon on the wall but those are the joys of mom life, lol.
- Journal. This one here! Journaling is very therapeutic but it also lets you see how far you have grown. Journaling lets you release. If you use prompted journaling, some allow you to express gratitude daily. This practice is something with a busy schedule that you miss and is needed in order to remain in a place of thankfulness. I love the quote, "The life you are living is one someone else has prayed for."
Reclaim Your Power
This starts with knowing that you are an amazing woman first and your superpower as a mother comes when you realize that. No matter where you work, what mistakes you've made, you are an amazing woman who will flourish as you learn to grow in every season.
Our next news letter will focus on the vision you have about you. What do you say to yourself daily and how that vision will produce itself in your life, good or bad.
If you are need of a journaling resource The Gracing Motherhood Journal is a digital download where you can reflect daily, plan, and winddown with a gratitude section.
If you need help with reshaping your thoughts try our Thought Mapping Guide with Scripture digital download.
See you soon,
Geneva