The Messy Truth: Real Life is Chaotic

As a mom, a single mom at that, I feel struggles and overwhelm – almost constantly. I roll my eyes at picture-perfect families and flawless routines. Is any of that real? I hardly manage to maintain a consistent yoga practice, and there are days I feel like a complete fraud. Finding balance is not the easiest, even for Yogi Moms.

The Yogi Mom: all zen and calm?

What makes a yoga teacher or yogi legit, anyway? There’s often this expectation that we should be perpetually zen, unfazed by life’s storms. One of my core principles is honesty, and so today, let me share the honest truth: My day-to-day life challenges the concept of everything zen and calm, to say the least. 

As an introvert, a child’s demands of constant interaction are already enough to trigger my inner four-year old. Being a very sensitive person means I absorb others’ emotions like a sponge, feeling their stress and anxiety alongside my own. At times when people around me are particularly tense, for example before major holidays, my system becomes overwhelmed, and I am swayed like a ship in a storm. I then feel inexplicably drained after social interactions, for example, and really need to distinguish between what’s mine and what I’ve absorbed from the outside world.  

For a while, the constant emotional absorption and the weight of this boundlessness really got to me. I didn’t know how to respond except to intuitively put up thick, protective walls— a move I didn’t even realize was just safeguarding my energy. But over time, I realized that wasn’t a sustainable solution. I strive for more honesty and openness, not less.

Honesty: Seeking Authenticity, Truthfulness, and What Works

So here’s what I’ve learned: being authentic means embracing all these parts of myself – the tired mom, the sensitive soul, the introvert who needs quiet to recharge. Through this journey of motherhood and self-discovery, I’ve realized that being “legit” isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being real and finding what truly works for you. 

I now know how to hold compassionate space for my needs, to make sure I take care of myself, too, in order to be at my best. This is the version of me that is loving, compassionate, centered and fully able to take on anything that comes my way. 

Let me share what I’ve discovered that really works for me:

My Core Energy Boosters

Allow Myself to Rest: 

This is my most important practice currently. Rest isn’t laziness; it’s restoration. My nervous system is often on high alert and, knowing that, I prioritize rest and quiet times, combined with somatic practices that boost my resilience. That may mean taking a short nap before picking up my child, and that’s perfectly okay. 

Hone My Intuition: 

I’ve learned to trust my intuition, my inner wisdom, and I make it a point to practice honing it. 

An aha moment after the fact: When I notice I could have listened to my intuition, I recall that moment in detail, the visuals, smells, colors and feelings – and in my replay version, I choose the intuitive action. This helps me reprogram my responses for future situations. And let me tell you, intuition is way cooler than any technology out there.

Apply Creativity: 

Two of my greatest skills are resourcefulness and creativity. I find ways to incorporate art into any task I do, and it makes me happy. This can be as simple as hanging laundry in a color-wheel, or cutting food in a certain way, or finding ways to get to daycare with song and dance. Anything that feels playful, fun and light, anything that brightens your day, is a win.

Applaud My Practices: 

I’ve learned to celebrate any physical exercise or spiritual practice, no matter how small. Some days, my yoga practice might be just five minutes of sun salutations, or some kriyas in the morning, or lighting a candle for a short meditation in the evening. Other days, it might be a full hour on my mat. I remind myself that there is no judgment, no grading, no comments, no competition. I applaud that I manage what I do manage, and move on. What matters is showing up for myself and keeping up with some kind of spiritual practice, allowing for it to wax and wane, but making sure it’s there, in intent and practice.

Hold Onto My Vision: 

My vision is what carries me forward, even on the most challenging days. I am coming into my full, sharing my gifts and experiences, my practices in Yoga, Buddhism and Somatics, and inspiring others to in turn come into their full. Through my work as Yoga Teacher and Transformation Guide, I guide others to find their true selves, to live their purpose, and shine their light on the world. Together, we rise. And together, we change the world. 

Knowing that I am on my path provides unknown strength, even when that path feels messy and imperfect.

As a yogi, I make it a point to take a close look at every opportunity life provides. That doesn’t always mean it’s fun or enjoyable. But I trust that life has its way of doing things, and using this lens, I embrace the opportunities for learning. Deep introspection has helped to know my patterns, understand my nervous system, and to heed my intuition. I have learned to catch myself before my energy depletes. And I take action. If this means prioritizing rest over a yoga practice, I do so. If I notice I’m avoiding something (let’s say a yoga practice), because of laziness and not fatigue, then yes, I kick myself in the backside and find a way to start. Often, it takes more energy to make that first step, get back on it, and overcome whatever is blocking. Trust your vision, and the rest will come.

So, if you would like to find ways to deepen your spiritual practice, incorporate yoga and/or Buddhist practices into your daily life, and finally create and connect to your vision, then get in touch.

Your invitation

Does this resonate with you? My mission is to guide you towards the life you want, being the nurturing, loving, soulful person you know deep down you are. Through personalized mentoring, I help you navigate overwhelm with grace, weave yogic and Buddhist wisdom into your daily life, and connect deeply with your vision. If you’re ready to transform your challenges into strengths, let’s connect.