Changing Your Mindset in Motherhood
The Power of Baby Steps: A Mindset Shift for Moms
Motherhood is often described as a journey, but for many moms, it feels more like a never-ending treadmill. Between sleepless nights, relentless schedules, and the mental weight of doing it all, it’s easy to lose yourself in the process. On a recent episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sat down with mindset coach Jessie to talk about breaking out of autopilot and finding joy, growth, and grace in the chaos of motherhood.
The conversation was packed with practical advice and heartfelt wisdom, offering hope to moms who feel stuck or overwhelmed. This blog dives into their insights, focusing on reclaiming your mindset, rediscovering yourself, and moving toward the life you want, one baby step at a time.
The Myth of the Overnight Transformation
The pressure to transform your mindset instantly is daunting. We’ve all heard advice like “just think positively” or “say affirmations until you believe them,” but these approaches can feel disingenuous, even frustrating. Jessie gets it.
“Sometimes it’s just about getting back to neutral,” Jessie explains. “If you’re having the worst day ever, you don’t have to jump to sunshine and rainbows. Instead, try to find the facts. Acknowledge that it’s a bad day, but that doesn’t mean the entire world is on fire.”
This idea of neutrality as a stepping stone is profound. It removes the pressure to force positivity and instead focuses on small, manageable shifts in perspective. For instance, if you’re overwhelmed by the state of your home or your to-do list, pause and assess what truly needs attention now versus what can wait. Recognize the chaos without letting it define you. Neutrality isn’t glamorous, but it’s a powerful first step toward emotional balance. Instead of ignoring or dismissing hard feelings, you allow them space while grounding yourself in what’s real.
Baby Steps: The Foundation of Change
For many moms, the concept of baby steps can feel trivial—like it’s not “enough.” But Jessie argues that small, consistent actions are the building blocks of meaningful growth.
“As moms, we celebrate our kids’ tiny milestones,” Jessie points out. “We don’t hand a baby their first pair of shoes and expect them to walk perfectly. We cheer when they let go of the couch for a second. Why don’t we give ourselves that same grace and encouragement?”
She recounts a story shared by a guest on her podcast about taking small, seemingly ridiculous steps toward change. This guest wanted to attend a paint night but felt too anxious to join. So, her first step was simply driving to the parking lot and sitting in her car.
“She didn’t even go in,” Jessie laughs. “She just watched people walk into the building. And that small action, as silly as it sounds, made the next step—actually attending the class—the following week possible.”
Baby steps aren’t just about movement; they’re about building momentum and confidence. They’re a gentle reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful.
Balancing Grace with Pressure
Motherhood has a way of making you feel like you’re never enough. Whether it’s comparison on social media or your own internal expectations, the pressure can feel suffocating. Jessie’s advice? Match the grace you give yourself to the pressure you’re feeling.
“You’ve never done this before,” Jessie reminds us. “Even if you’re 13 years into motherhood, you’ve never parented this child at this age in these circumstances. Give yourself grace. You’re learning just like they are.”
Jessica reflected on her own experience, saying, “During pregnancy, I gave myself so much grace. My mindset was immaculate—whatever happened, I told myself, It’s okay, I’m pregnant. But once the baby came, I quickly felt like I wasn’t doing enough. We lose that self-compassion so fast.”
This idea of balancing grace with pressure isn’t about letting yourself off the hook; it’s about recognizing your humanity. By acknowledging the effort you’re putting in, even when things don’t go perfectly, you create space for growth and resilience.
Core Values: Your True Compass
In a world filled with constant noise—social media comparisons, unsolicited advice, and societal expectations—it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters to you. Jessie emphasizes the importance of identifying your core values as a way to cut through the clutter and focus on what brings you fulfillment.
“If you’re jealous of someone gallivanting around Europe, but you have no desire to do that, ask yourself why,” she says. “Is it because you actually want that life, or is it because social media is making you feel like you should?”
Defining your core values helps you align your life with what genuinely fulfills you. It also allows you to let go of pursuits that don’t resonate. For example, if your core value is family connection, then spending a quiet evening with your kids might bring more joy than striving to check off an arbitrary bucket list item.
Mindset Coaching: A Guide, Not a Fix
Jessie describes mindset coaching as a collaborative and creative process. Her role isn’t to “fix” anyone but to help them clarify their vision, identify obstacles, and take actionable steps forward.
She often starts by helping clients define where they are now and where they want to be. “We figure out how big the gap is between your current reality and your ideal vision,” she explains. “Sometimes, it’s just a few small tweaks. Other times, it’s a canyon, and we have to get creative about how to bridge it.”
One of her favorite exercises is helping clients identify their core values and align their lives with them. This involves peeling back the layers of societal and self-imposed expectations to uncover what truly matters.
Jessie’s work isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about living intentionally and authentically. “I love seeing women thrive. Some of the women I worked with last year are completely different people today. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Practical Steps to Reclaim Your Mindset
If you’re feeling stuck in motherhood—or life in general—here are some actionable steps inspired by Jessie and Jessica’s conversation:
Aim for Neutral When positivity feels out of reach, focus on grounding yourself in the present and acknowledging your feelings without judgment.
Take Baby Steps Break your goals into the smallest possible actions. Celebrate each one, no matter how small.
Define Your Core Values Reflect on what truly matters to you—not what society or social media tells you is important.
Give Yourself Grace Match the grace you extend to yourself with the pressure you feel. Remember, you’re learning as you go.
Seek Support Consider working with a mindset coach or joining a supportive community to gain perspective and guidance.
A Journey Worth Celebrating
Motherhood isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about growing alongside your kids and embracing the adventure. As Jessie puts it, “We’re just bigger, more emotional, more complicated babies.”
The key is to celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and to approach each day with a little more grace and intention. After all, life isn’t a sprint—it’s a series of baby steps.
For more insights and inspiration, check out Jessie’s Positively You Podcast and follow her on Instagram at @positively.jessie. You’ll find weekly episodes, a personal growth book club, and a community ready to cheer you on.
Let this blog be the reminder you need: You’re doing better than you think. Keep taking those baby steps—they add up to something amazing.
TL;DR
Jessica is joined by Jessie Larson, the voice behind the Positively You podcast, for an uplifting conversation about the role of mindset in motherhood. Together, they explore how to shift from autopilot to intentional living, the impact of self-talk, and the importance of offering yourself grace in parenting.
Jessie shares her journey into mindset coaching and provides practical tips for moms looking to rediscover themselves and embrace their unique experiences. They discuss the power of taking small steps, being real about emotions, and cultivating positivity in everyday life. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the strength in vulnerability and the transformative power of mindset.
How to connect with the Jessie:
Website: www.jessielarson.com
Mom podcast,
otherhood Podcast, Motherhood Journey, Postpartum Mental Health, Pregnancy, New Mom Support, mindset, motherhood, positivity, self-care, personal growth, parenting, mental health, self-improvement, emotional well-being
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