How I'm Prioritizing Self-Care and Mental Health as a Parent and Podcaster This Traumaversary Season

As the holiday season approaches, I feel the weight of past challenges creeping in. As others revel in joy and nostalgia, I face the harsh truth of my traumaversaries—dates that serve as stark reminders of my initial postpartum trauma. This year, I found myself facing unexpected medical issues and declines in mental health, making self-care essential.

When life throws challenges our way, it can feel overwhelming. With my mental health taking a hit, I made the difficult decision to pause my podcast recording until 2025. This is a significant shift for both me as a podcaster and as a parent. Every day, I am making progress in my recovery journey, and I want to share the ways I am prioritizing self-care during this period.

Finding peace in nature

Listening to My Body

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of listening to my body. As parents, we often push aside our own needs in the shuffle of daily life. Instead of listening to tiredness or stress, I’ve come to understand the significance of these signals and how closely they are tied to my mental health.

This holiday season, I’m carving out time for myself. Simple gestures, like savoring a warm cup of tea in the evening or snuggling with my children, help re-center me. Although I recognize that I don't make time for this as frequently as I ought to, I am aware that even a brief 10-minute walk in nature can significantly lower stress levels and elevate mood. This serves as a powerful example for my kids about the importance of self-care.

Trusting My Instincts

Listening to my body aligns closely with trusting my instincts. Balancing content creation with parenting means I often question my choices. I’ve learned it’s crucial to step back and reassess my priorities, especially when feeling overwhelmed.

When the pressure to produce content rises, I ask myself what I need most. Sometimes that means putting my work aside and fully engaging with my kids. Other times, it’s diving into a creative hobby, like crafting or writing, that sparks joy. For example, spending 20 minutes on a creative activity has been shown to improve overall emotional well-being by 30%.

Understanding My Mental Health Needs

Self-awareness plays a pivotal role in my mental health journey. Acknowledging my needs—not just as a parent but as an individual—has been life-changing. I remind myself to practice the kindness I extend to others within the Quiet Connections Community.

This year, I established daily rituals that ground me. Taking the time to reflect on "what's going right?", express my feelings through writing, or engage in open conversations about my emotions with my partner enriches my mental well-being. Each of these rituals is essential to nurturing my mental health. Taking just 5 minutes to meditate daily can lower stress by an impressive 25%.

Managing Social Media and Content Creation

While my podcast is on hold, I shifted my focus to managing social media and editing previously recorded episodes. This allows me to stay connected with my audience while committing to my personal healing. However, I’m aware of the potential overwhelm from screen time.

I’ve set limits on my social media use and encourage other parents to consider the same. Balancing content creation and family life requires boundaries. This helps me reconnect with my family and ensures my attention is undivided.

Embracing Progress Over Perfection

In this season of reflection, I remind myself that progress matters more than perfection. The podcasting and parenting world often induces comparisons that lead to feelings of inadequacy. I remind myself that my journey is unique, filled with distinct challenges and achievements.

I celebrate small victories—whether it’s engaging fully with my children or completing an editing task that I once found daunting. Celebrating daily successes boosts my mental health and fuels my creativity, making me excited to return to podcasting in January.

A Journey of Growth

Navigating this challenging season in my life is teaching me to prioritize my mental health and self-care. Each hurdle reminds me to honor both my needs and those of my children. It’s essential to recognize that taking time to recharge not only benefits me but also empowers my children.

While I may not be recording now, I believe this pause will foster incredible personal and creative growth. I look forward to embracing self-care, nurturing my mental health, and relishing the conversations that will flow when I press ‘record’ again.

Taking a moment for self-care with tea

Let’s keep discussing mental health, parenting, and self-care. What strategies do you implement to prioritize your needs during challenging times?