This is my last week of maternity leave. I don’t plan on having any more kids, so heading back to work on Monday marks the end of the newborn season of my life. I had anticipated having children for a long time, and after I had my son, I’d looked forward to experiencing a second pregnancy and birth, and to welcoming a daughter. I have my ideal family now, but it’s a little bittersweet to think that I won’t be doing it all again.
As hard as it will be to leave my baby on Monday, I’m eager for something of a return to normalcy. I’m not sure what normalcy even means in 2020, but maternity leave can feel like a pause in life, and I think I’m ready to hit play again.
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on tuning in to my body. The first lesson that Kara Loewentheil teaches in her coaching program is that emotions are physical sensations in the body. To process an emotion, you have to allow yourself to feel the physical sensation and then name it. When I feel a lump in my throat, a knot in my stomach, a racing heart, or heat rising in my face, I now stop and take note of it. I observe the physical sensation with curiosity. I ask myself, what thought is causing this emotion? What can I learn from it? What is my body trying to tell me?
Current Hobby: Hobby? What’s that? I enjoy going for long walks with my newborn. I’ve been contemplating taking up tennis at some point in the future, when I can fit it in.
Where I’ve Been Recently: The only place I’ve gone since January is to Nashville, for a medical appointment.
What I’m Looking Forward To: The end of this pandemic!
Where I’m Going Next: I’m making a quick trip to Pennsylvania to visit my mom. Beyond that, who knows — I won’t be flying again anytime soon.
Latest Personal Project: In an effort to squeeze in some more physical activity where I can, I’ve been doing daily push-ups, adding one more each day. I’m up to 27 now. We’ll see how high I can go.
InspiredBy: The women lawyers in some of my online groups who have managed to pivot and grow their practices during an economic downturn. I love reading about their creativity and resourcefulness.
Recent Moment of Joy: Singing along to Beatles songs in the car with my 2.5 year old son.
