Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations in Motherhood
Stop putting pressure on yourself to do all of the things - and find joy and gratitude for the everyday. None of us mothers can do these things to the "perfect" standards people show on social media. Instead, let’s get back to the basics; embracing a slower, simpler way of living and watch all areas of our health improve *with more ease*
Why Does This Matter?
Social media often paints a perfect but unrealistic picture of motherhood and wellness.
By comparing ourselves to these idealized standards, we add unnecessary pressure and guilt to our daily lives.
Let’s shift from comparison to gratitude, savoring the little moments that bring joy.
Letting go of the pressure
I love everything that has to do with improving our health - especially how it pertains to a mother's wellness and mental health. But there is so much pressure to be healthy!
It’s not that being healthy is bad—it’s the pressure and the unrealistic goals that often hurt us.
We need to redefine healthy living by focusing on simplicity, small steps, and self-acceptance.
My Personal Story of Overwhelm
After my twins were born, I felt this INTENSE pressure to get back into shape and a healthy living routine. I saw other moms bounce right back after pregnancy, and I would have so much shame and (self) judgment. Why was it SO hard for me to bounce back? Why could they do it and not me??
What was worse was that by the time my twins were born, I had spent 10+ years of my life studying all of the mental health and nutrition things. Improving mental wellness for women was my passion. My mission in studying these topics was to make achieving and maintaining wellness more simplistic for women. I wanted to see women of all ages achieve better health without feeling like they had to keep up with this impossible standard of wellness that we come across on social media.
But I felt I was failing to accomplish all this now that I was a mother.
Lessons Learned
Comparison is a slippery slope toward shame.
Knowledge doesn’t cancel out emotional struggles—even experts need grace.
When our reality doesn’t match our expectations, we often feel like we’ve failed.
The Turning Point: Seeking a Simpler Way
As time passed, I felt more depleted by everything I saw on social media. My health was suffering, motherhood was feeling extremely tough, and the stress of everything in our society was building — for perspective, this was probably around early 2019 — I felt there had to be a better way to manage things without pressure and setting these high expectations that always seemed to fail.
My complete exhaustion and utter annoyance at everything I saw on the interest eventually led to a deep dive into vintage living, returning to our roots and a more simplistic way of life. Thinking of how my grandparents and great-grandparents lived their everyday lives ignited the spark I've always held about making health easy, accessible, and affordable to mothers; mothers who are completely overwhelmed by the day-to-day, mothers who desire to be healthier for themselves and their families.
But without that INSANE pressure or the unrealistic goals we can come across in our scrolling.
Embracing Vintage & Rooted Living
Vintage living: Slower pace, simpler habits, less screen time, more real-life connections.
Returning to our roots: Cooking from scratch, enjoying family meals, prioritizing faith and downtime.
Affordable, accessible health: Small daily changes that add up over time.
Shifting Our Mindset
God as Our Motivator & Intuition as Our Guide
Dear mama- Let's all accept it will never be perfect; we will never be able to eat completely clean and live in a non-toxic environment. Our homes will never be perfectly neat and tidy, with laundry washed, folded, and put away daily. We will only sometimes get that extra time to sit in prayer (meditation) as we desire.
We can take little steps here and there. In time, those little things will add up.
Little Steps That Matter
Release the perfection: Accept that “perfect” isn’t realistic or necessary.
Intuitive wellness: Listen to your inner voice for what you need most right now—rest, prayer, movement, or connection.
Faith and Grace: Let your spiritual foundation guide your daily choices.
The Freedom of Letting Go
To relieve ourselves of the expectation of everything needing to be all or nothing is
freeing
On a personal level — it has made me realize I do not have to be perfect because I never will be in my wellness to help other mothers achieve better health.
A Gentle Reminder
No one is perfect—your story will resonate more deeply with others when you’re authentic.
Incremental shifts in habits and mindset can have a far greater impact than constant pressure to achieve lofty goals.
Defining Health More Broadly
Our health consists of so many different things —
our mental health
our spiritual health
our physical health
the health of our relationships
If we are 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 out about not doing all the healthy living things, we do more harm than good.
If we are ignoring our spiritual health and have lost our connection to God, we are going to feel depressed and lost and not have something to ground us when the chaos hits.
The foundation for our health is about finding gratitude and joy in our lives. As we build a strong and rooted foundation, the other things we wish to accomplish (like our nutrition, fitness, etc. goals) will fall into place, with much less effort needed.
Building a Holistic Foundation
Mental Health: Journaling, therapy, self-compassion.
Spiritual Health: Prayer, meditation, fellowship, gratitude.
Physical Health: Gentle movement, balanced nutrition, restful sleep.
Healthy Relationships: Honest communication, boundaries, shared support.
Wellness Journal Prompts & Affirmations
JOURNAL IT OUT:
>> What is one thing you can start with today to help get you more firmly rooted in your wellness goals?
Dive Deeper
Reflect on Perfectionism: “Where in my life am I striving for perfection, and how can I let go of those unrealistic standards?”
Nurturing Joy: “What are three small moments of joy in my everyday life that I often overlook? How can I celebrate them more?”
Affirmations
I release the pressure of perfection and embrace progress.
I am worthy of nurturing myself and my family in a way that aligns with our unique needs and values.
Ready for More Guidance?
If you’re longing to fuel your soul and break free from wellness expectations, discover simple ways to nurture your mind, body, and spirit—without the crippling burden of perfection.
Download your free copy of Fuel Your Soul a guidebook designed to help you tap into your intuition and find the wellness practices that your body, mind, and soul are craving This Ebook offers:
Practical steps to simplify healthy living.
Encouraging insights to shift your mindset.
Faith-based intentions and affirmations to keep you grounded and inspired.
Remember: Motherhood and wellness are about progress, gratitude, and connection—not perfection. You are doing enough, and you are worthy of living in peace, health, and love. Embrace the imperfect journey, and watch how each small, mindful choice transforms your life.
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