How I Ditched the Motherhood ‘Shoulds’ and Learnt to Trust My Intuition - Veronica Szlapak, The Mama-Intuition Coach
/
How I Ditched the Motherhood ‘Shoulds’ and Learnt to Trust My Intuition
There are few things in life that invite as many opinions and expectations from others, yet requires as much self-knowing as motherhood.
Before I had Trudy, I was very used to doing all the ‘shoulds’. You know the drill… uni, career, marriage. And while I enjoyed all these, my story was one of looking outwards for what I ‘should’ be doing. I never checked-in with how I felt. I never checked-in with my intuition.
So, when motherhood arrived, I naturally followed the same approach. Always looking outwards for answers on how I should do this epic task in front of me.
The problem I faced, of course, is that there are a million different opinions on how to do motherhood. There are so many messages on what you ‘should’ do. And if you don’t, well… you’re ‘creating a rod for your own back’.
Most of the messages I faced didn’t FEEL good inside. I didn’t want to sleep-train and I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding. But because I was out of touch with my intuition, I thought I was doing motherhood ‘wrong’.
It took a while before I embraced these strong feelings for what they were, my MAMA-INTUITION. This guiding star, orientating me on MY motherhood journey.
Here's how I learnt to trust my intuition and ditch the ‘shoulds’. You can do the same, mama:
1. Up Your Rest – Rest and Intuition are two sides of the same coin. When you’re shattered it’s pretty impossible to notice how you feel about something. When you’re rested though, you have space to tune inwards and notice how you’re really feeling.
2. Do Yoga Nidra Meditation – This special type of meditation gives you rest while it reconnects you to your intuition. It’s an amazingly powerful tool that anyone can use. Even a 10-minute, regular Yoga Nidra meditation practice is going to massively improve your connection with your intuition.
3. The Powerful Pause – Take a moment to close your eyes and think of something that’s on your mind. How does your body react? Do you feel uneasy, stressed, anxious? Or do you feel happy, calm, peaceful? Whatever your internal reaction, that’s your body communicating how you're feeling. Let the feeling be your guide.
4. Welcome Without Judgement – Whatever comes up in The Powerful Pause, welcome it without judgment. See if you can acknowledge the feelings neutrally, without guilt or shame. After all, all your feelings are valid.
5. Don't Rush – Trusting your intuition will take time, especially if it’s been a while since you tuned inwards. Take it one step at a time. And know that each time you let your feelings guide you in a decision, you're learning to trust your intuition.
Reawakening my long-suppressed intuition has been a painful process at times, filled with self-doubt and inner-conflict. But it’s also been absolutely worth it!
Being connected with my intuition has seeped into ALL aspects of my life. Yes, it’s made me a better mama, because I feel more confident and joyful of my parenting choices. But it’s also changed how I view the world.
Mama, my intention is to inspire you that how you FEEL matters! That using your feelings to guide you through the labyrinth of motherhood is valid. Above all, it results in parenting, and therefore living, from a place that aligns with who you truly are.
Bio:
Veronica Szlapak is a life coach for mamas looking to reconnect with their intuition so they can mother from a place of joy, calm and self-knowing.
Veronica set up her coaching practice after experiencing a challenging time after her daughter was born. Having entered motherhood totally disconnected from her intuition, she experienced an “intuition-awakening” after months of worrying whether she was doing this mama-thing ‘right’. Veronica now loves to support other mamas going through a similar journey.
See more of Veronica over at:
Find your further dose of self care in the Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums here
Would you like to write for us? Submit a pitch about self-care, wellbeing or motherhood. Find out more here.
