Parenthood and life changes can sometimes feel overwhelming, but they also serve as reminders to practice self-love, resilience, and compassion in new ways. I learned this on my journey.
When I became a parent, I didn’t just step into a new role; I found myself almost lost in the process. From the constant changes in who I thought I was, sleepless nights, and the responsibilities I never saw coming. I was running on empty most of the time. I kept telling myself, “I would take care of everyone else first, then I’ll find time to take care of myself.” But that moment never actually came.
I kept pushing until I broke down, and in that moment, I realised the importance of self-love. Parenthood and big life changes aren’t supposed to stop us from loving ourselves. Rather, they’re invitations to love ourselves more.
How Parenthood Teaches Self-Love and Resilience
Self-love is more than just saying positive affirmations; it requires intentional practice. Sometimes, just taking a moment to pause, breathe, and permit yourself to rest is self-love.
I’ll never forget a day when I needed to run an errand while home alone with my children. After school runs, homework, and lunch preparation, with my to-do list calling for my attention, I felt completely drained. I sat down for a moment to figure out how I’d get everything done, and I fell asleep. I didn’t even realize how exhausted I was until that moment. That nap was unplanned, but it taught me something important: sometimes self-love is simply allowing yourself to rest, even when the world is pulling you in every direction.
Knowing the world will not stop if I don’t finish my to-do list was a game-changer for me. That knowledge changed how I saw my role.
For a long time, I believed that I had to manage everything on my own. I pushed myself till I almost broke down. In those moments, I realized that true self-love meant asking for help, extending grace to myself, and knowing I didn’t have to do it all alone.
It’s not only parenthood that challenges us; any significant change can push us to grow in unexpected ways.
How Change Teaches Us Compassion
Change doesn’t just happen when you become a parent. It can manifest in various forms, such as new jobs, different environments, and fresh starts. Every change will always feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, we become accustomed to it.
When we moved to a new city some years ago, I found it difficult to adjust. Everything was unfamiliar: stores, streets, and everyday life. I believed I should have had it together by now, but instead, I felt lost.
Over time, I realized that the only way to cope was to give myself some grace. Change taught me that being uncomfortable doesn’t mean I’m failing; it means I’m growing.
Letting go of what seemed familiar to embrace change was not easy, and it still isn’t. But I’m learning to meet myself where I am right now. Instead of fighting change, I now see it as a teacher nudging me towards acceptance, resilience, and self-compassion.
Why Self-Love Makes You a Better Parent and Partner
The saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” is so true. Self-love strengthens not only you but also your relationships.
Self-love doesn’t necessarily have to be in the big things. For me, self-love is expressed through small but powerful choices, such as…
- Resting without guilt
- Celebrating progress, no matter how little
- Saying “no” when your plate is full
These tiny shifts slowly build into a stronger foundation of care and confidence.
The Ongoing Journey of Practicing Self-Love
The truth is, learning self-love through parenthood and change requires a daily practice. It’s choosing to show yourself compassion, even when it feels easier to be hard on yourself. Every act of kindness you show yourself is also a lesson to those around you.
Now your turn: What’s one small act of self-love you can choose today: resting, saying “no,” or simply pausing to breathe?
Share it in the comments—I’d love to celebrate your wins with you.