10 Tips for a More Rewarding Motherhood in 2023

1. Be More Mindful

Mindfulness involves being aware of what’s going on in the present moment instead of ruminating on the past (depression) or worrying about the future (anxiety).

This can be SO HARD for moms who are busy parenting and managing the relentless mental overload of motherhood. But it’s through mindfulness that we’re able to find some breathing space in order to keep it all together. 

Being mindful doesn’t need to be hard. 

Notice what you are experiencing through each of your five senses in this very moment. That’s a huge first step to becoming more mindful. 

Throughout your day, practice mindfulness in routine moments: Really taste that next sip of water. Notice the flavors in your food versus rushing through the meal. Step outside and notice how the air feels on your skin. Be present. Notice your body. Take deeper breaths. 

Allow the mundane moments to become opportunities to practice mindfulness, checking in with your physical and mental well being regularly. 

2. Be More Present

It’s hard to be truly present with our kiddos when we have a million things on our mind and feel burnt-out and depleted on so many occasions. 

We give our kids attention all day long in the forms of feeding, bathing, driving to and from places, managing meltdowns, and tucking in at night. But do you take time to truly be present with them? To connect on a deeper level? 

Set a goal of spending ten minutes a day sitting on the floor and really engaging in reading or play with your children. These are the moments of connection that truly matter, both for children and parents alike. 

3. Decrease Perfectionism

It’s so easy to beat ourselves up when we have super high expectations then things don’t go according to plan. Managing the house, keeping up with busy schedules, and navigating all the demands of motherhood are challenging endeavors. We need to give ourselves grace when we drop the ball or feel like we’re hanging on by a thread.

Piles of unfolded laundry? Messy playroom? Dishes in the sink? Forgotten playdate? 

It’s okay! Motherhood is imperfect. And allowing imperfection is essential. 

The laundry and dishes will eventually get done. The toys won’t be around forever. And those one or two missed things won’t matter in the grand scheme of it all. GIve yourself some grace and recognize that perfection is impossible. 

4. Speak Kindly to Yourself

If you treated your friends the way you probably treat yourself in your mind, you may not have many friends!

We beat ourselves up so unnecessarily, harshly judging ourselves with negative self-talk that says things like, “How could I be so dumb,” “I can’t seem to get anything right,” and “I’m failing as a mom.”

This type of thinking only holds us back. It contributes to feelings of depression and anxiety, and chips away at our confidence. 

Make a commitment this year to speak more kindly to yourself. Think of how you’d speak to a friend or a child. Then treat yourself with the same level of respect.

5. Know Your Limits

What would it be like if you could protect yourself against the people and circumstances that drain your energy or push you to the end of your rope?

You can learn to set better boundaries to create more balance and achieve a better quality of life. But it takes a few steps to get there.  The first step involves knowing where your limits lie and really stopping to consider what you want and need to achieve the end goal you have in mind. 

Maybe you crave a better work-life balance. Maybe you need more help from a partner. Maybe you want to say no to a volunteer position so you can focus on quality time with your family.

We all have certain things we want more or less of in our lives and it’s up to us to determine our limits and convey them to others so we can better align ourselves with the life we want to live.

6. Practice Assertiveness

Motherhood presents new opportunities for us to stand up for what we believe in and fiercely protect our children and our family’s well being. 

But this can be challenging, especially if you aren’t used to speaking your mind or if you’ve struggled with people pleasing tendencies in the past. 

Acting assertively can feel uncomfortable at first, but when we avoid that discomfort, we create bigger problems in our lives and start living in ways that foster resentment and move us away from our values. 

It takes a lot of courage and practice to be assertive–but it is a skill you can learn and develop. And doing so will help you achieve a better quality of life overall. 

7. Stop Comparing 

Comparison really is a thief of joy. It keeps us trapped in feelings of not being good enough and prevents us from truly enjoying life to the fullest. 

But it’s so hard not to compare. 

Especially when we’re bombarded with so many images and depictions of perfection and happiness via social media. We worry about how we’re measuring up. We become concerned about whether our children are hitting certain milestones. Ultimately, we question whether we are good or worthy enough. 

Stop comparing. You are good enough. You are worthy. 

8. Embrace Gratitude

Take time to focus on what you are grateful for in life and to truly notice the positives. When things get hard, ask yourself, “What lesson is this situation providing me? Are there any silver linings?”

There are so many things we take for granted each day in life. Stop to notice these things (breath, movement, nature). Feel a sense of appreciation. 

When we are able to maintain an attitude of gratitude, we’re less likely to fall into the comparison trap or fixate on the negatives that bring us down. 

9. Connect with Your Body

Our bodies hold so much wisdom and can help us know exactly what we need in various situations. Often, however, we’re so busy rushing through our days that we ignore subtle cues and sensations. We wind up becoming disconnected from our bodies and miss out on the ways we can receive guidance from within. 

When you connect with your body, you can better access your inner wisdom. You can learn to trust your gut instincts and truly tap into your intuition. 

Take a moment now to be still and notice what you are experiencing in your body. Where do you hold tension? If the sensations in your body could speak, what messages would they have for you?

10. Practice Self-Care

Staying healthy, balanced, and well requires the practice of self-care on a regular, ongoing basis. But often, life gets busy and we get off track. 

A New Year is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your own attention to self-care and to ensure you are taking time out to nurture your soul and replenish your energy.

How can you practice better self-care this year? What activities or healthy coping strategies can you invite into your routine or incorporate into your life? If you need help getting started, download my free "Toolkit for Stress Management." 

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If you resonate with the above goals and need more help implementing them in your life, get in touch. My Empowering Mindful Moms program can help!