Mama, Are You Being Your Whole Self?

Do you feel like you are missing part of you? Is motherhood not what you expected it to be? Let me reintroduce you to your whole self with one of my favorite things in nature.

Quaking Aspen Trees

Have you ever looked at a stand of Quaking Aspen trees and thought about how beautiful they are? All those trees. Well I learned that a forest of Aspen trees isn’t a bunch of trees. It’s one living organism and each of those trees is a piece of the whole forest. And we are like that too! It’s so exciting to think about.

Your Whole Self vs. Motherhood

Sometimes, we are like those aspen trees. We think we are one tree, a mom, among so many other moms out there. It appears that other moms love being a mom. They are doing fancy birthday parties, dressing their kids in cute outfits, and posting wonderful memories on social media. Then, we sit back and wonder what’s wrong with me. I don’t love spending all day every day with my kiddos. We secretly feel guilty, ashamed, and resentful. That’s because motherhood doesn’t define who we are.

We are missing the beauty of the whole forest when we only look ourselves as a mom. Being a mom is one tree out of the entire forest of you. All those other trees represent you too. What do those other trees represent? For me some of those trees represent: my love of life coaching, Pepsi, Grey’s Anatomy reruns, acrylic French tip nails, ADHD, sensory processing differences, emotions, being a ranch wife who loves the conveniences found in the city, minimalism, passion for loving people just like they are, vulnerability and authenticity, desire to travel the world, snuggling with my husband, barn red, popcorn and a movie, understanding neurodiversity, my belief in Christlike love, and so much more.

Some of those trees tell a story of who I have been. As a child, teenager, college student, young wife and mother, but those are just a piece of the forest too. They don’t define me either. They may give clues to what I still may like, or they may be dying trees in the back ground. But your forest also has little sprouts popping up all over too! These are things you desire. We get to look at the whole forest, or your whole self, and decide what trees you want to keep and cultivate. Which ones are just there, but not the center piece of your forest. But most importantly mama, you are more than just a mama and/or wife!

What do the other trees in your forest represent? I’d love to hear yours! And if you need help identifying them. Book a free 30 minute Explore Coaching Call with me. I can’t wait to help you figure it out!