Maintaining Your Identity as a Working Mom
When you look at the life of a working mom, it is mindblowing how they are able to get it all done. Not only does she have to answer to the needs of her children and family, but also a boss, coworkers, and clients. It’s not shocking at the end of the day a working mom has very little mental or physical energy to do anything else. But this is where the problems start. When there isn’t a lot of time for you to do the things you enjoy, it can feel like your identity is starting to slip away. Eventually as this pattern repeats itself, you might start to think of yourself as only a mom, wife, or employee. But there is so much more to you than just those things!
It’s so important to invest in your own personal identity because that’s where we find happiness. Knowing who you are deep down and what you enjoy is the foundation for our identities and personalities. Without those things, we rely on others to make us feel grounded, and that can be troublesome. When we lean too far into things like just being a mom, partner, employee, or business owner, when things are amiss in those realms it can completely throw us off.
Maybe you’re feeling like this is relatable. You’re a busy working mom and aren’t really sure where you lost yourself along the way, but that person is missing and you’d like to get her back. We’re here to help! Here are some easy things you can do to find your identity again and get back to who you truly are on the inside.
Think about other women you know who are genuinely happy. This could be anyone: a sister, a friend, a coworker. Consider how these people invest in their own identities. What are their interests? How do they make time to make sure they’re seeking out those interests? You can model some of your new goals around what they do, especially if they are also working moms.
Make a list of who you are and what you value in this present moment. Make it as broad as you possibly can. Think about how you lean into these values right now. If you aren’t leaning into them, brainstorm some ideas of how you can better meet your needs.
Add to your list and think about who you were before you had children. What types of things were you passionate about? What lit your soul on fire physically, spiritually, and nutritionally? How did you chase those passions? Maybe you can’t do it in the exact same way you used to, but getting back to some of those previous loves can reignite your identity all over again.
Just because you have responsibilities outside of yourself doesn’t mean it has to consume your entire identity. People who have a solid grasp on who they are and what they value are happier individuals and lead fuller lives. By pursuing your passions and staying true to your values, you’ll have your identity back in no time at all!
