Let’s face it: every mama wants to enjoy motherhood more. But when you’re juggling a million commitments or feeling pulled in every direction at once, it can feel challenging to let go of the stress and get back into happy mama mode!

If you relate, I want to share a lightbulb moment with you. It’s something that struck me recently about how to enjoy motherhood more. Let’s dive in…

It started when I was having a bad day…

It was early afternoon and my daughter had just woken up from her nap. I’d had one of “those” mornings with my work — stuff kept going wrong, tech was breaking, nothing was flowing, and I hadn’t completed nearly as much as I wanted to.

As I went to get my daughter out of her cot, I could feel that I was irritable and that my nervous system was about to start sliding into ‘stress mode’, but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted — not for me, and especially not for my daughter.

It took a LOT of energy, but I consciously said to myself: ‘Melissa, take a breath. Think of something nice you can do together to shake off your mood.’ 

I didn’t have any good ideas…

But somehow, my daughter and I found ourselves in our garden.  

With her face still sleepy from her nap, we started exploring — the veggie patch, the fruit trees, the garden beds beyond. We walked the length of our property and then the surrounding streets. We even made a new friend: Skip the dog and his little owner Jake. We chatted to our new friends, and hours later found ourselves back home ready for dinner. 

I didn’t have my phone so I had no idea what the time was but I didn’t care. I was so present, in the moment, in nature, with her. It was magic! 

When we finally got home, it struck me…

So often, the most heartwarming, enjoyable moments of motherhood are nestled in the simple, everyday activities. 

And yet those beautifully ordinary instances are so easily overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

It’s up to us to slow down and consciously cherish those fleeting moments — and even the gentle chaos that comes with them…

Because in the end, it’s these small, daily joys that truly enrich our journey and help us enjoy motherhood more.

Want some super inspiring podcast episodes to help you find more joy in motherhood? Try these:

1. Episode 517: Simple But Genius Ways To Love Motherhood

This episode is filled with personal experiences and insightful revelations on how to cultivate more joy in our journey through motherhood. It’s a gentle reminder that even amidst the most demanding days, there are pockets of pure happiness to be found > Listen

2. Episode 430: Overcoming ‘Mama Guilt’, Self-Care After Kids & Navigating ‘Matrescence’ | Amy Taylor-Kabbaz

For far too long, our culture has not fully acknowledged the impact that ‘matrescence’ (aka the transition into motherhood) can have on women. In this inspiring episode, Amy Taylor Kabbaz unpacks everything you need to know about this crucial transition. If you want to redefine your experience of motherhood, release guilt, cultivate self-compassion, and find genuine inner peace, this is for you > Listen

3. Episode 367: Jay Shetty | Life-Changing Lessons For Overcoming Anxiety & Finding Happiness

Want to hear a former monk’s secrets for a calmer, more joy-filled life? Of course you do! Jay Shetty is a New York Times bestselling author, and in this wildly popular episode, he’s revealing his life-changing secrets to radically increase your happiness levels, no matter what season of life you’re in > Listen

What about you, angel? What do you do to enjoy motherhood more — especially on those days where you’re stuck in stress mode or simply aren’t *feeling it*?! I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. (I read every single one!)