Although this blog is like my electronic diary, I realize I haven’t shared much about my life lately—except for my annual recap. Recently, I ran into a longtime reader who has been following my blog for years, which got me thinking : do you guys still read my blog?
I’ve been managing this blog since 2009, and it’s incredible how far I’ve come. You’ve watched me grow from a childish teenager into a mom—crazy, right? Now that I’m a mom, life has only gotten wilder! Hahaha. I guess I should share more here to help relieve some stress. Thus, today, I’d like to share my journey of motherhood so far.
Overwhelmed and Stressed.
My daughter, Sachiko (Mini Lola), is now four months old. She has become much more stable compared to the challenging first two months, and she cries far less now. To be honest, the days after leaving the confinement centre were tough for both of us. With just the two of us taking turns caring for her, it was overwhelming. Since this was our first time being parents, everything felt new, and we had to navigate it all with little experience.
Motherhood is a journey filled with love, joy, challenges, and personal growth. It can also be overwhelming and stressful at times. As a new mom, I appreciate expert advice when needed. However, many outsiders constantly try to "teach" me what to do, which only adds to my stress.
It's not that I don't value advice—it's the way and tone in which some people give it that makes it hard to accept. Every baby is different, and not all methods work for everyone. Since my pregnancy, I've been bombarded with "must do this", "must do that", and "don’t eat this" advice. Honestly, it became overwhelming. Whenever I didn’t follow their suggestions or felt like I wasn’t doing great, I would feel guilty, as if I weren’t a good enough mom.
But then I realized—I know my baby best. I take good care of her, and what matters most is my own well-being. My baby needs a happy mom, not a perfect one. So, I stopped listening to unnecessary advice from those who overstep. Of course, I still value insights from close friends, doctors, and nurses, but not from just anyone. Now, I make sure to filter the advice I take in.
How Motherhood Changes Me.
Friends who know me are still shocked that I’m a mother now haha! To be honest, I still can’t believe it myself. I’ve always been an impatient person, but ever since Sachiko came into my life, my patience has definitely improved. I’m still not the typical soft and gentle mom, but I’m growing every day. During the newborn phase, I used to panic whenever she cried. Now, I stay calm and know exactly what to do to soothe her.
My priorities, schedule, body, and emotions have all changed forever. I used to travel almost every month, but now, travelling abroad isn’t as easy. I have to make sure my baby is well taken care of before I can even think about travelling. Even something as simple as going out for yum cha with friends requires me to check with my husband first to see if he can look after her. Hopefully, shortly, we can hire a nanny or helper to lighten the load.
It's about the years that follow, the moments of joy, frustration, laughter, and tears. Thus, I need to gambateh! Till here.
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