Finding the balance between taking care of ourselves and our children is…a constant negotiation. Sometimes the scale tips and as much as we love our children, we need to put ourselves first. Guilt free. Without apology. 

So much of my brain space is taken up with mom things now. Mostly important, the mom who is doing the things.

Me.

I have seen first hand the impact on my family (I still get a rush saying that) when I’m not ok vs when I feel great.

In either direction, I see Everett and Jeremy absorbing my energy. And when I don’t have any to give, or the energy I’m giving is spoiled. I invite you to please picture that forgotten cucumber in the back of the produce drawer that is all shriveled and bendy and weird.

That’s me right now.

I’m the cucumber — and also still that weird hermit person. If you don’t know what I’m referring to you can catch up by reading this past email I sent to my email list.

This past year coinciding with the first year of motherhood really took everything out of me. I have been pushed, stretched, challenged at every turn.

I burned through all of my reserves.

And as you know, when I get stressed, my IBS shows up to remind me I have to slow things down.

What’s really cool about IBS is that it is always holding hands with my anxiety.

The first time I really knew I had to address my anxiety and not ignore it, power through, or just drink more water was when I shat my pants on the 5 foot commute from the couch to the toilet.

I couldn’t blame something that I ate anymore. Because it wasn’t that. It was me.

My body had been calling out for help for a long time. And ignored it. So it screamed so loud I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

This is something we discuss on this week’s podcast episode with Broadway’s absolutely incredible Becca Lee.

Becca and I met years ago on the audition circuit. She is an incredible dancer and performer most recently seen on Broadway in The Prom! 

She is a Broadway performer turned full-time mama, for now. She’s performed all over the country in regional theater productions, toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, danced for the NY Knicks and has appeared on several TV shows. She graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Psychology and is currently brainstorming about what to do next! She is passionate about being creative and authentic and spreading joy whenever possible.

We talk about how having a baby and moving during the pandemic, and the four month sleep regression, drove her anxiety to the point that she had no other choice but to take care of #1.

Not pee! Herself! The mom!

Resources:

• Learn more about Becca Lee at www.beccaleebackstage.com
• Follow her on instagram @beccaleebackstage. 
• To rock out to Tribute by Tenacious D, click here!
• Download your FREE guide to the 20 Things No One Tells You About Pregnancy and Postpartum, visit www.alissa-alter.com.
• Join our private Facebook community Mom’s Club for the community of like minded, intentional moms hanging out in a 100% judgement free zone you’ve always dreamed of.

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