3 Key Ways Motherhood Changes Your Mindset
Photo by Tatiana Syrikova
Obviously becoming a mum brings about significant changes in every aspect of our lives. One of the most profound changes is the shift in mindset that comes with being responsible for another human being. There’s a lot of responsibility in that role that forces us to take a look at life from a different perspective. So let’s talk about 3 of the biggest mindset changes motherhood causes!
Changing Priorities
After becoming a mother, your priorities shift dramatically. Suddenly, the things that were once important to you take a back seat to your child's needs. You may find yourself sacrificing your own desires to put your child's needs first. This shift in priorities is not only natural but somewhat necessary for the well-being of our kids! That’s not to say that you don’t deserve time for yourself anymore– (you do!) it just might look different now.
It's not just your own priorities that shift, but your understanding of what's important in life as well. Suddenly, you might realize that the small things that used to bother you don't matter as much anymore. You have a new appreciation for the simple joys in life, like watching your little one learn to walk or hearing them say "I love you" for the first time.
With changing priorities also comes a shift in time management. Juggling the demands of motherhood with work, household chores, and personal time sounds challenging, but it’s possible! Kids can make us more productive by forcing us to prioritize tasks, make the most of our time, and stay (somewhat) organized.
Changing Intuition & Purpose
As soon as we become mums we develop an unspoken bond with our children that allows us to anticipate their needs, whether it be hunger, discomfort, or emotional support. As a result, we become highly attuned to our kiddo's body language, tone of voice, and behavior so that we can respond quickly and appropriately. This mother’s intuition comes naturally and we should trust it! You know your baby best, so listen to that gut feeling when something seems right or a little off.
Becoming mums ultimately gives us a renewed sense of purpose in life– one that impacts our decision-making and perception of the world around us. After becoming a mum, you may also find that you want to make the world a better place for your child, which can inspire you to take on new challenges and pursue new goals!
Changing Empathy
Additionally, motherhood requires a deep understanding of our kid's needs and emotions, which can translate to greater empathy for others. As mums, we often learn to put ourselves in our children’s shoes, and this mindset can extend to other people in their lives. You may be more likely to cry at news stories or movies that depict children in difficult situations as you may feel a stronger connection to mums who are going through similar experiences.
This heightened empathy can also be a powerful force for positive change. As a mum, you may feel more motivated to volunteer, donate to charitable causes, or speak out on issues that affect families and children. As we learn to be more patient, kind, and understanding, we may even create a ripple effect in our relationships with others and how we set examples for our kids!
Overall, motherhood can have a profound impact on our ability to connect with others on a deeper, empathetic level. From changing priorities and intuition to empathy, our world as mums is flipped upside down. But these changes in mindset aren’t setbacks! In fact, they can be positive growth points that make us better women towards everyone around us.