Finding Friendships After The Early Stage of Motherhood

And Why It is Essential for Your Wellness

What was the key ingredient that got me through the early days of motherhood, and why it is so important again now?

When I had my firstborn, I remember how quickly a small set of friendships were formed, all centred around that crucial moment when we'd have our babies, and there was I with this tiny person (before I met him, when he bobbed around in the womb during pregnancy yoga). We focused on taking the best care of ourselves for this main purpose. It united us. I didn’t know these women beforehand, and we became almost family in this short time. We were different, sure, but we cared about our own wellbeing, and each other’s.

Each week during pregnancy yoga class, we would wait for the news of someone having had their baby. Lovely Lizz, our instructor, was there to share the birth stories, and support us as we progressed from being with child, to becoming mothers (the term matresence is so powerful - the birth of the child also means the birth of the mother).

I didn’t make the later classes, as my son chose to make his appearance unexpectedly early, but once he was strong enough, we returned to baby yoga class, where he was affectionately known as the Downton Abbey baby because he was always dressed in wool, top to toe (what can I say, I love wool, and my aunt is a voracious knitter).

These friendships were close. We shared our birth stories, our breastfeeding trials and successes (if you were in a special care unit with your baby you will know what I mean when I talk about being attached, basically like a cow, to the giant milking machine, whilst it seemed to suck you into it, whole!). These friendships continued as we went to baby groups, and pre-school activities, and so on.

Feeling lonely and working mothers

But then, these things began to dwindle. Some mothers went back to work. Those of us who worked in our own businesses had a job to get the momentum back, and the coffee catch-ups while the kids played, started to become less regular.

I believe a sisterhood like that is needed more than ever once you realize you’d pressed pause too long on your own wellbeing, and you haven’t the first clue as to how to restart it.

I know I felt more alone as time went on, supporting the kids, but forgetting myself. And I realized that the friendships shared then are just as vital now.

Why adult friendships matter more than ever

That’s why I have incorporated Sisterhood into my coaching work. Once I knew something had to change, it wasn’t as simple as getting fitter, or giving myself permission and time to do so (although these are part of the core of what worked for me, and are part of my So Liberating philosophy), but it was also to feel again a part of something tribal, and as a cheerleader of women, what better way to support others feeling this way, too?

If I hear a "yes" to this sister, please join us in the So Liberating Sisterhood and work with the tools to achieve a new sense of wellbeing and nourishment, alongside your sisters, at your own pace.🎯👈

Ready to start on your own wellbeing journey? Find the time for you with the proven  Time Swap Tracker. 🤸‍♀️✨