Revisit - Your Motherhood is Only as Powerful as Your Personhood.

As new mothers navigate the early days of parenthood, they often confront a stark transformation in their identities and well-being, which can be at odds with societal expectations.

Impact of Childbirth on Identity and Well-Being

Cleo Wade captures the essence of new parenthood, noting that although becoming a mom is often considered an accomplishment, the early days can be marked by a challenging perception of lost freedom and joy.

Freedom, Joy, and Self-Perception Challenges in New Parenthood

Wade speaks candidly about the changes motherhood brings, stating that while having a baby changes everything, society does not fully grasp how the individual mother changes. She explains that the act of change itself, like childbirth, is more straightforward than navigating the tumultuous emotions that follow. Wade touches on the real pain of feeling like a stranger to oneself as a new parent and yearns for her child to know the 'real' her, highlighting a profound shift in self-perception following childbirth.

Early Motherhood: Societal Expectations vs. Reality

Limited Discussion and Understanding of New Mothers' Challenges and Emotions Fosters Guilt and Inadequacy

There's a contrast between the societal depiction of motherhood and the reality of it. Wade mentions how there's scarcely enough room for new mothers to exist within the complexities and contradictions of parenthood. T ...

Cleo Wade delves into the significance of self-compassion and the critical role it plays in facing life's difficulties, especially for new mothers.

Cultivating Self-Compassion and Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations

Cleo Wade opens up about the essential practice of self-care, attributing her understanding of stillness and care to her parents' example. Unfortunately, she notes that many women struggle to prioritize their care because they never saw it modeled by their caregivers. Wade discusses the intrinsic nature of self-love, asserting that love is a birthright and that to reconnect with this natural state, one must firmly believe that their love belongs to them at all times. Even in moments of disconnection from self-love, she suggests holding onto the knowledge that one's love is always theirs can be a beacon back to self-acceptance.

Embracing Change and Self-Compassion For Recovery

Highlighting the transformative journey of motherhood, Wade insists that parents must demonstrate self-care and serenity to their children, who are sponges for the behaviors they witness. She recalls an early mantra as a mother: "your motherhood is only as powerful as your personhood," reinforcing the idea that nurturing one's well-being enhances one's ability to care for others.

Mantras and Daily Practices for Personal Transformation

Mantras and daily rituals, according to Wade, can significantly anchor individuals amidst the tumultuous experience of new parenthood.

Routines and Reminders, Like Daily Mantras or Stillness, Provide Grounding Amidst the Chaos of New Parenthood

Wade advocates for the use of mantras to simplify and manage overwhelming emotions by offering a straightforward, repeatable phrase to concentrate on and steer thoughts in a positive direction. Mantras, she says, act as both an anchor and a discipline to consciously choose subsequent thoughts. One mantra she suggests is "my love belongs to me," which not only grounds but also prompts introspection on ways to reconnect with self-love.

Cleo Wade recollects specific self-care practices like taking routine long showe ...

Cleo Wade candidly shares her personal struggle with postpartum depression and the path she took toward recovery through self-compassion and daily practices.

Cleo's Postpartum Depression: Disconnection and Self-Criticism

Cleo Wade talks about the immense difficulty of dealing with the changes that come with motherhood and the challenge of coping with these changes. She felt disconnected from her usual sense of self and struggled with postpartum depression and high anxiety. Activities that normally brought her joy did little to "light up" her life during this difficult time. Cleo mentioned that resistance to suggestions for help could often be a sign that support is needed—a sentiment echoed in feelings of anger when such help is proposed.

Cleo on Self-Judgment and Challenges In Being Her True Self

Cleo discussed feeling like a stranger to herself following the changes postpartum. The combination of guilt for not feeling grateful for what she had, alongside the shame of not fulfilling expectations, took its toll. Additionally, attempts to reach out and improve her mood through usual activities often left her stuck in a fog of depression. Cleo grappled with self-judgment and the struggle to feel normal again, a battle that she describes as an "invisible churning" within.

"Remember Love" Inspired Cleo's Recovery Path

The turning point for Cleo came while listening to Tara Brach in the bathtub when she heard the words "remember love." This moment of clarity marked the start of a significant shift. Realizing that her inner dialogue was filled with self-criticism and lacked kindness, Cleo worked to replace toxic thoughts with self-compassion—reinforced by writing "please remember love" on a post-it as a reminder. Cleo’s book, "Remember Love," roots in this concept, recognizing the importance of self-dialogue and adopting new, caring thoughts.

Mantra Enabled Cleo to Shift From Criticism to Self-Compassion for Constructive Change

Cleo used the mantra "remember love" as a coping strategy to shift from constant self-criticism to treating herself with the kindness she would extend to a friend. It helped her to rekindle her inner light and start meeting her basic needs, including kindness, which she identifies as fundamental. It was the initiation of self-ca ...