After I got pregnant with my first baby, I realized that I, a mother-in-the-making, was smack dab in the middle of an epic adventure. I did a double take and felt a little confused. I thought this season was supposed to be blissful: filled with smiles, sunshine, and yummy food cravings. Turns out, it was also a season of awkward, annoying, worrying, and even difficult moments.
What in the world?! Pregnancy ended up stretching me not just literally but also figuratively—just like a true adventure.
Now, fast forward to motherhood. Even though I had purchased diapers, baby clothes, and a car seat like a good little girl, I still found myself completely unprepared for what was to come. My maternity care providers were so focused on getting me to the finish line (birth) that they forgot to equip me for the upcoming marathon (motherhood).
Big oops.
Before I knew it, my world had turned upside down and I literally asked myself how on earth women survive—let alone thrive—in motherhood. Of course, there were plenty of wonderful days and precious moments, but boy were there also times when I felt exhausted, alone, a little rumpled in spirit, and more than a little overwhelmed.
“Where did my sparkle go?” I wondered.