Postcards From My Kitchen Table

In my last post I wrote about 2016 and how it had been quite a shitty year for me. I also wrote about how it had ended on a high with me feeling energised and positive about the future. There were lots of things that contributed towards this and as the year came to a close I was already beginning to think about making some positive changes in my life. But what really gave me the kick up the bum I needed was meeting an incredible lady called Laura Swan . Someone who I’m now happy to call my friend.

I responded to a call to arms Laura put on a local Facebook mummy group. She wanted to speak to mums who were feeling overtired, overwhelmed and overstressed as part of a new business idea she had. I didn’t need to hear any more – this was me in a nutshell. As soon as we met I immediately felt relaxed in Laura’s company and was happy to open up about how things were for me. I never felt judged by her and she was more than happy to share her own struggles as a parent.

She explained to me about MamaSpace – a six week course she had designed for mums; to help us find our way again. To rediscover the joy in life, to remember what lights us up, to create a more positive mindset and to practice more of one 2016’s biggest buzz words – self-care.

I can honestly say that making the decision to sign up for the course was one of the most positive steps I took last year. The six Tuesday evening sessions were something I really looked forward to, and mourned the loss of, when the course ended. Escaping the hamster wheel of bath and bedtime once a week to meet in a gorgeous calm, light, safe space with like minded, funny, smart women was a standout highlight of my week.

Quickly we bonded and felt able to share elements of our lives with each other. Each week had a different focus – looking at what inspires us, setting healthy boundaries, our rhythms and routines and if they worked for us, how we could incorporate mindfulness and meditation into our lives and probably the hardest one for me – talking about how to love ourselves. Chanting mantras into the mirror each day isn’t something that comes easily to me, but you know what? It works.

If it all sounds a bit hippy dippy to you then yes maybe it is, but is that such a bad thing?  To really engage in the course you need to be prepared to look into yourself which can be really painful, but what MamaSpace is really about is helping mums to find who they are again and I defy any mother to say they haven’t had times – albeit fleeting – when they’ve wondered what happened to the person they used to be. Before tantrums and bath time; Pom Bears and Paw Patrol.

MamaSpace came around for me at a time when I was feeling a bit lost. I lacked confidence and direction. I felt stuck. I wanted time out but I felt too guilty to take it. MamaSpace helped me to find my way again and focus my mind on all that is good in my life. I have embraced so much of what I learnt during those six weeks and from that bunch of brilliant women.  And yes there are days when I still totally loose my shit but on the whole, I feel calmer. I am less fearful, less concerned about what others think of me, more able to set boundaries and I genuinely feel excited about what the future holds.

Thank you Laura and my fellow MamaSpacer’s. I hope you realise what an impact you have had on my life.

*To get in touch with Laura and find out more about MamaSpace you can find her on Facebook by clicking here