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6 Ways to Find Joy in Motherhood

When I had my son in 2019, I expected to be overwhelmed with love and joy. Over the moon with my new role and purpose of being his mama. However…that didn’t exactly happen. The joy and purpose, to my huge disappointment, didn’t just automatically happen…so over the past few years of being a mom, I have learned how to CREATE it for myself!! It takes hard work and intentionality, but it has completely changed the way I parent.

In this blog post, we will explore six practical ways to discover and embrace joy as a mom, no matter how many kids you have or how old they are. So let’s dive in and get to that joy, mama!

1. Take care of your mental health: I’m not just talking about our basic self care here. Make time for activities that recharge you, take breaks when you need them, and spend time really pouring into your mental wellbeing. Prioritizing self-care allows you to nurture yourself and be fully present for your little one, fostering a sense of joy and balance in your life.

2. Remember this stage of parenting won’t last forever, the good AND the bad parts of it: Embrace the joy of cuddles, their first smiles, and those heart-melting giggles. Embrace the wild toddler stage, when you want to pull your hair out, but then they melt you with their genuine curiosity, innocence, and pure love for you. By staying present and appreciating these fleeting moments, even when they are difficult, you create lasting memories that ultimately spark joy.

3. Build a support network and ask for help: Connecting with fellow moms who understand the challenges and joys of motherhood can be invaluable. Seek out local parenting groups, online communities, or mommy-and-me classes to build a supportive network. Sharing experiences, advice, and laughter with other moms can bring immense joy and remind you that you are not alone on this journey. Also, recognize that it’s okay to ask for help and delegate responsibilities. Share parenting duties with your partner, involve grandparents, or consider hiring a trusted caregiver if needed. By lightening your load, you create space for self-care, quality time with your child, and activities that bring you joy. Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

4. Practice mindfulness and intentionality in daily moments: Amidst the busyness of motherhood, practicing mindfulness can help you find joy in the present moment. Whether it’s while feeding your baby, going for a walk, or playing together, engage your senses and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Be intentional about the time you are spending with your child(ren); set a timer for 30 minutes without your phone where you are just fully immersed in their world and playing with them, without any worries of the outside world. Notice the small details, embrace the emotions, and savor the beauty of these simple moments, allowing joy to naturally emerge.

5. Cutting back on alcohol and focusing on healthy foods: This is a big one for me! While I love a glass of wine in the evenings, and I could eat Chickfila for every meal, when I am feeding my body junk and relying on a glass of wine to relax from the day, I notice my feelings of joy and contentedness diminish. I am relying on outside comforts to bring me peace, when those things are not where I truly find that peace. Instead, cook a healthy meal with your kids- involve them, have fun, get messy, and talk about the different ways that those foods nourish our bodies. Don’t get me wrong- we definitely still get chickfila weekly, and I do have a glass of wine (or three) occasionally. But saving those for special occasions instead of daily helps me to focus on nourishing my body with whole foods and involve my son in the process (and bonus, spend one on one quality time together!)

6. Embrace a positive mindset and give yourself grace: Shift your focus to embrace a positive mindset and gratitude. Instead of dwelling on the challenges, consciously choose to find joy in the little things. Keep a gratitude journal, jotting down moments of happiness, milestones, or acts of kindness you experience. And when you find yourself dwelling on the hard parts of motherhood, or dreading certain things instead of focusing on gratitude…give yourself grace, and know you aren’t alone!!

I hope some of these tips help bring some joy into your day to day life as a mama, and I would be honored if you shared it with another mom in your life who could use some joy (and honestly, in today’s world, who COULDN’T use some joy right now?)

To a joyful life,

Alexa