Motherhood is much important nowadays more than ever

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jeannine

It has been said again and again that the hardest job in the world is being a mother. Despite this fact, known and accepted by society and backed by research, more and more women are pushed to go beyond the values and beliefs they have just to fit with what society dictates.

What is it? Be a working mom. Don’t waste your education. You’ve built a career and would just abandon it?

The concept of motherhood as a profession has gained importance in recent years due to various factors. Here are some reasons why motherhood as a profession is more important nowadays:

Changing social and cultural norms: The traditional roles of men and women in society have been changing, and women are now more likely to work outside the home. As a result, the role of mothers has become more important as they are often the primary caregivers for children.
Increased focus on child development: There is a growing understanding of the importance of early childhood development and the impact that early experiences have on lifelong health and well-being. Mothers play a critical role in providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Increased complexity of parenting: Parenting in the modern world has become more complex due to factors such as social media, technology, and increased expectations for child development. Mothers often have to navigate these complex issues and provide guidance and support to their children.
Importance of work-life balance: Many women now want to balance their careers with motherhood, and the concept of motherhood as a profession acknowledges the importance of the work that mothers do in raising and nurturing their children.

Overall, the concept of motherhood as a profession acknowledges the important work that mothers do in raising and nurturing their children. It highlights the importance of supporting mothers in their role as caregivers and recognizing the value of their contributions to society.

Being a corporate gal myself who switched to being a SAHM, I must admit and can’t/ wouldn’t hide that I’ve had my own mental difficulties due to societal pressure. Luckily, with the help of Self-Care, I’m able to embrace the fact and have more clarity on what my real purpose at this time of my life is.

With this, I’m able to focus more on what matters most which is taking care of our daughters who are ages 4 and 5 at the time I stopped working. These I think are the most special moments parental guidance is much needed as this is where children are grasping like sponges the values and beliefs of whomever adult they see.

I know and understand that not all of us are given the same circumstances in life. Finances for one is one of the biggest reason why most mothers are forced to work. This was also one of the hurdles we as a family needed to pass through. After a careful evaluation of our finances and what’s the need at the moment for our family, it became clear what needs to be done. Putting up my career on hold to focus more on the upbringing of our daughters with the help of wise financial planning is what our values lead us to.

This may be against a lot of societal norms yet, we’re happily satisfied and able to withhold any other hurdles that come our way.

How about you? What’s your opinion on this matter?

Amazing reasons why journalling helps improve your mental health

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Jeannine

There’s much hype about journalling nowadays but do you know that you might be journalling way back without you knowing? Remember when you were little and were gifted a diary or urged your parents to buy you one? Yes! I’m talking about that notebook where you would write your crushes! Well, that’s basically journalling.

Journalling is simply a way of writing your thoughts. So whenever you find yourself writing around whatever you feel, no matter what paper that is, that’s journalling! People nowadays just want to call it a bit fancier, well, perhaps, journalling notebooks would exist?! They’re cute though, and I admit to having a couple for myself too! Why not, if it inspires you more to write your thoughts, right?!

With all the adulting responsibilities though, spending time to sit down and write our thoughts can sometimes feel like an added burden to many. That’s why it is important to know the benefits it can give you so you’ll know how much those few minutes you’re using (not wasting) can actually turn out to be an investment for your mental health and well-being in general.

Here are some ways that journaling can help:

Reduces stress: Journaling can help you release pent-up feelings and emotions, which can reduce stress and anxiety.
Helps you process your thoughts and emotions: Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you understand them better and process them in a healthy way.
Provides perspective: Journaling can help you gain a new perspective on a situation or problem, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Boosts creativity: Writing can be a creative outlet, and journaling can help you tap into your creative side and explore new ideas and thoughts.
Tracks progress: By keeping a journal, you can track your progress in different areas of your life, which can help you see how far you’ve come and motivate you to keep going.
Improves mood: Journaling can help you express gratitude, focus on positive experiences, and gain a sense of accomplishment, all of which can improve your overall mood.

Overall, journaling can be a helpful tool for managing stress, improving mood, and processing emotions in a healthy way.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with
Mads’ Cookhouse

Ways to Overcome Procrastination for Moms

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Jeannine

Procrastination is a common behavior where individuals delay or postpone tasks or decisions, often until the last possible moment. There are various reasons why people procrastinate, including:

Lack of motivation: When people lack motivation, they may struggle to start or complete tasks, which can lead to procrastination.
Fear of failure: Fear of failure is another common reason why people procrastinate. They may delay starting a task because they are afraid they will not do it well, or they may delay making a decision because they are afraid of making the wrong one.
Perfectionism: Some individuals have a strong desire to achieve perfection, which can lead to procrastination as they wait for the perfect moment or perfect conditions to begin a task
Overwhelm: When people feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they need to do, they may delay starting, thinking that they will have more time later.
Impulsivity: Some individuals may struggle with impulsivity, which can make it difficult for them to stay focused on a task or make decisions in a timely manner.
Lack of time management skills: Poor time management skills can also contribute to procrastination. Individuals who do not have a clear plan or schedule for their tasks may struggle to prioritize and complete them in a timely manner.

It is important to note that procrastination can have negative consequences, such as increased stress, decreased productivity, and missed deadlines. Therefore, it is essential to address the underlying causes of procrastination and develop strategies to overcome it.

Here’s some great tips on how to overcome procrastination:

Identify the reasons why you procrastinate: Understanding the reasons behind your procrastination can help you come up with strategies to overcome it. Common reasons include fear of failure, lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, or perfectionism.
Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks: Instead of tackling a large task all at once, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can make the task feel less daunting and help you make progress more quickly.
Create a schedule: Create a schedule for your day or week, and be sure to include specific times for tasks that you tend to put off. This can help you stay focused and accountable.
Use a timer: Set a timer for a specific amount of time and work on a task for that amount of time without interruption. This can help you stay focused and make progress.
Prioritize self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for your overall well-being and can help you be more productive. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking breaks when needed.
Find an accountability partner: Enlist a friend or family member to help keep you accountable and on track with your goals. You can check in with each other regularly and offer support and encouragement.

Remember, overcoming procrastination takes practice and patience. Be kind to yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

Effective Ways for Moms to Stop Overthinking

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Jeannine

I must confess, ever since being a mom, my overthinking has escalated a million times😅😅😅

Could you blame me?? I bet if you’re a mom too, then you might be an overthinker, too!

Unfortunately, this doesn’t help and doesn’t give us any good. It was when I started learning more about Self-Care that I discovered the need to stop overthinking.

Here are some effective ways to stop overthinking:

Be Mindful.

Notice when you’re stuck in your head and not present.

Talking to your children but not understanding what they’re telling you and instead worrying about what to cook for dinner?

In a meeting yet can’t answer when asked because you’re so caught up thinking how your daughter did in her exams?

CATCH YOURSELF DOING THIS!

Focus on problem-solving.

Dwelling too much on a problem and procrastinating wouldn’t help you move on and solve it. The only way to do it is to take action. Some problems may be easy to solve, others would take longer.

One thing’s a fact though, every problem has a solution!

ALWAYS CHOOSE TO TAKE ACTION!

It’s just your thoughts.

Admit it or not, our thoughts play a big role in exaggerating things that may happen to us. We tend to always get carried away with our thoughts and most of the time, turn towards the negative way.

There are two things I always do when this happens:

Pray
Challenge my thoughts to change their way of thinking

Reflect.

Find time to reflect. This may not be a specific place or time but as long as you are on your own with your thoughts, then that should be fine.

Reflecting on the things happening in your life makes you realise the great things you have (gratitude) and gives you a clearer perspective on the things that do not (things you need to focus on changing)

Train your brain.

You aren’t born with an overthinking mindset. It takes practice to have this removed from the habits that you’ve built overtime.

Remember, our brain is a muscle and like any muscle in our body, it’s up to us on how we would shape it.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

Great Benefits of Spending Time Alone

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Jeannine

Do you know that one of the most common fears of people is autophobia? Autophobia is the fear of being alone. Once you become a parent though, especially a mom, it’s not having autophobia that makes you worried about being alone, it’s the anxiety of not knowing how your children are doing or where they are that makes us in distress all the time. I’d like to say that we could closely associate this feeling with mom guilt.

Unfortunately, this anxiety or fear of always knowing where your child is or having them around can also bring stress in return. As much as we would want our loved ones to be around us, we as humans have our own needs as well.

This is why having some alone time is still important no matter what status or circumstance in life you’re in. There are truly amazing benefits that spending time alone can bring you. And just like Self-Care, you might think of it as some crazy thing to do or others might even view it as a selfish act. Not to worry though as like always, the outcome of great things you do will only be seen afterward.

Here are the great benefits you can get from spending time alone:

Clarity of mind. I don’t know about you but when I know my mind is cluttered, I tend to be in a bad mood. We all know what happens next when you as a mother start with a fuss in your household. It only gets worst! Yeah! Your whole household would turn into chaos and it’s only when you calm your nerves and decide to do things in peace that everyone follows your lead.

Want a peaceful and joyful home? Start clearing your mind so you don’t pollute others’ moods too!

Allows you to think of more possibilities in your life. It is during this time of peace that you get to reflect on the happenings in your life. Are your plans going according to what you want them to be? Is it according to your values and beliefs? It is only during this quiet time that you get to give yourself the time to re-evaluate if you’d still want to continue with what you are doing or plan for your next.

Reset your priorities. It is only natural that once you’ve been given time to re-evaluate your life, you’ll also be encouraged to make changes in how you do things to make your life better and where you want to be. By being able to set your priorities, you’ll be assured that you’re focusing on what matters the most for your and your goals.

Improvement in your relationships. Just like self-care, how you are able to care for others would only get better since you’ve been able to care for and give yourself first. The people around you would surely appreciate whatever improvement you’ve been doing to yourself since they’ll notice how good you treat them afterward.

You gain confidence. When you’re able to think more about yourself, your self-esteem increases and the level of how you think of your individuality radiates from within. Even without boasting, your confidence in yourself would surely shine no matter what do you.

You’ll learn to slow down. Life nowadays can be too fast-paced no matter where you live. With the amount of responsibilities adulting life is giving us and the pressure of society to always be on our feet, we often forget the value of slowing down and appreciating our surroundings.

I hope after reading this article you have a better understanding of how valuable alone time is. If you’d love to know more about how silence can make a difference in your life, don’t miss watching my interview with Jean Alfonso-Decena where we dig deep into understanding the value of silence.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Make a Wish Box