A woman's life is full of milestones. Each milestone is a transition to a different way of being.  However, transitions are hard.  I think there’s a misconception that all long awaited life events SHOULD be stress free and that we SHOULD be feeling sunshine and rainbows during life's good transitions.

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I’m personally going through a big transition, one that I waited for and dreamed of for years.  And yet, I feel a little off of my rocker.

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Motherhood came hard for me.  I experienced a lot of loss.  When I was trying to conceive, I thought, “I will never “complain” about how hard being a mom is.  I will relish every moment.”

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Expecting to feel 100% all the time has set me up for feeling really ashamed if I’m not on cloud nine every second.  

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Here are some tips to help combat stress during times of transition.

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Make healthy eating and exercise a joy instead of a chore

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A nutritious diet and regular physical activity will help you feel your best, so you can successfully navigate transitional periods. However, sometimes cooking and working out can feel like chores–especially when kids are demanding your attention. 

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Make workouts enjoyable by finding a gym buddy!

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Set small goals for yourself. I’m using Studio Bloom and it's a game changer.  I use their search function and do 10 minutes of Postnatal exercise daily. (Okay, more like 4 to 5 times a week. :) )

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 When it comes to cooking, ramp up the fun factor by cooking with friends or listening to your favorite songs or podcasts while you prepare your meal.  

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My husband and I recently instituted “shopping days”.  He goes on Tuesdays, and I go on Fridays.  We have our list of staples hung on the fridge so we can always check what we need to stock up on before we go.  These small acts help us not get overwhelmed by the task of feeding our family.

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Replace excess screen time with a satisfying hobby

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When you're overwhelmed by the change in your life, it's easy to rely on TV or your social media as a distraction. This relationship with screens has a need, trust me, I get it! However, too much screen time can leave us unmotivated and worst of all, comparing ourselves to others. 

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Find a simple hobby to replace this unhealthy habit. Happier Human offers some ideas like drawing, journaling, making jewelry, and reading.  You might also enjoy a hobby that allows you to be social–things are opening up in this almost post COVID world!

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