Rediscover Yourself This Year!

 


It is the time of year where we all make those ridiculous New Year’s Resolutions. We proclaim to the world that we are going to eat healthier, work out more, and be a better person. I am guilty of declaring “A New Year, A New Me”. There are always some over-achievers who stick with those resolutions. Or so they claim. I am not one of those people. Very seldom do I make resolutions, but I do occasionally challenge myself. In 2019, I committed to a thirty-day yoga challenge. I completed it. I actually did yoga for 365 days straight. This is possibly the one time in my life that I could be considered an over-achiever. My resolution this year is another challenge, but I want my female readers to take this challenge with me.

As wives and mothers, we sacrifice so many things for our families. It is our decision and we do it out of love. We do it with grace. Last year families made more sacrifices than ever. No matter what sacrifice we have made, sometimes we feel unappreciated. The sacrifices made are different for each woman, but there is one we all have in common. We have all lost a part of our identity.

When I got married, I went from being Mary to Lucky’s wife. A few years later, I became Fiona’s mom, and then John’s mom. Often I am known as Mrs. McAteer (to which I politely remind people that is my mother-in-law’s name). Whenever possible, I encourage teens to call me Mary. It feels right to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the title of mommy and wife; but sometimes I miss being Mary. Sometimes I forget who I was before I had my family. I forget the things that made me who I was. I left behind things that I enjoyed doing. I set aside some of my dreams, to ensure that others’ dreams could come true. Nobody asked me to do this, it somehow happened. It is what mothers do, even when they do not realize it. If you look within yourself, I am sure you can find a part of yourself that you have lost. Lately, I have realized that these missing pieces aren’t gone. They are waiting for you to rediscover them.

This year I am challenging myself and my readers to rediscover a part of themselves. One that you have hidden away. Reacquaint yourselves with positive aspects of your life pre-mommy life. If you used to draw, pick up a pencil. If the club was your thing, gather the girls and dance the night away. Find a piece of you that has been missing, we all have at least one. Most importantly, I challenge you to realize that it is alright to put yourself first (without feeling guilty). Carving time out for yourself can only strengthen your relationship with your family. We may even discover something new about ourselves.

Comments

  1. Very good post. You have penned down your experience about rediscovering yourself this year. Nicely written. Keep up the good work.

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  2. Wow that is a great perspective to look at things! I think that is what I have been missing... I too have the same titles. I can really relate to how your feeling! I miss being just "Bren" ! It is a good time to start rediscovering! Especially when self care right now is at the top of our priority lists. Great Post I loved it!!

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  3. I don't want to get married nor have kids, precisely for this reason - not to sacrifise my own life. I admire mums and wives for they can do so much. It's a great challenge and I wish you all the best. Also hats off for that yoga achievement.

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  4. Beautiful post! Yes we should sometimes try to be just ourselves instead of being a role or responsibility. GL to you

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  5. I have set up my studio, bought five canvasses, acryclic paints, and paint brushes. I will paint the scenes that mesmerized me in my travels, those that I photographed!

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  6. Well said, we forgot ourselves amidst our devotion to our families.

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  7. Such a great post with inspiration to find something that you love, just for YOU. Also love the overachievers comment, LOL ;-)

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  8. This is very true! I went on my own rediscovery path years ago and it's the best thing I've done for myself. It's great to be still be inspired by others doing the same. Sending you light and good vibes.

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  9. This is so important to rediscover who you are. After I had my son in 2019 I knew I had to figure out how to do things just for me and not have guilt because I wasn't being Izzy's mom at the moment.

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  10. I completely feel you on this. I am newly married and sometimes I feel like my old ways and habits have disappeared. Not in a bad way per se but when I think about I always wonder why/how.

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  11. Great reminder to re-discover ourselves. With multiple different roles, it is still very important to 1st know and take care of yourself 1st.

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  12. Sometimes it is really good to to take stock and rediscover yourself, especially as you get older your view points will change.

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  13. Your post resonated with me (even though I'm not a mother) ... this paragraph: "When I got married, I went from being Mary to Lucky’s wife. A few years later, I became Fiona’s mom, and then John’s mom. Often I am known as Mrs. McAteer (to which I politely remind people that is my mother-in-law’s name). Whenever possible, I encourage teens to call me Mary. It feels right to me."

    If ever you felt inspired to expand on your personal story in regard to this topic I'd be delighted to feature you in Daily Inspired Life. You have an important message to share here.

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    Replies
    1. I would love to talk to you more about this opportunity... please email me irishwritermom@yahoo.com

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  14. This is exactly what I am trying to do at this point in my life. Thanks for the inspiration!

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