When I first started to work with myself about 3 years ago, I felt like something was missing from my own personal daily routine. I had just started breathing, I was practicing yoga but I felt like I needed something, just for me, that I could say to myself every day. Something that would help to control my anxiety, stress and frustration. Something that would keep me focused and inspired. Something that would encourage me on a daily basis. It was my Aunt who pass this one on to me and I’ll never forget it. 

BE OPEN TO THE UNIVERSE

BE OPEN TO LIFE

BE OPEN TO THE EXPERIENCE

TRUST YOUR INTUITION

HAVE FAITH

Later, when I was actively trying to get pregnant I really wanted something that would signify what I was trying to do, that captured the energy I was putting forth and the goal that I had in mind. I don’t know how I came up with it but one day, there it was. Because as we all know, it can be a battle to get pregnant, it’s another thing to stay pregnant and all we can hope for is that we give birth to healthy and happy tiny people. 

I WILL CONCEIVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHILD

I WILL HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY PREGNANCY

I WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHILD

Lately I’ve been thinking about a new mantra. Something that signifies that switch from me to mama me. It’s not to say that ‘Val’ doesn’t exist anymore, but there’s more to me now – physically and mentally. Especially during these beginning months, we are literally sharing our bodies with our babies and that is a lot. It changes what we are able to do for ourselves, it changes the amount of attention we can give ourselves and it changes how we feel about ourselves. There is a lot of anger and blame, confusion and frustration, in general there is just a lot of new-ness. 

For everyone involved. 

So, with that in mind, that very same Aunt who gave me my first mantra gave me an hour long session to see a practitioner I hadn’t seen in a very long time. Someone who works with energy and breathing and has a way of healing parts of you that you didn’t know existed. When I walked out, this is what I wrote. 

I AM A NEW MAMA

I TREAT MYSELF WITH KINDNESS, WITH PATIENCE AND WITH COMPASSION

JUST LIKE MY BABY IS NEW TO THIS WORLD, SO AM I 

You don’t need to light a candle, sit cross legged and stare at something to say any of these things. If you want to, that’s an added bonus. Just saying them in your mind is enough – whether it’s while you’re washing dishes, driving the car, finishing a yoga class or crawling into bed. By repeating something in your mind you are subtly sending a message to your brain, you’re telling it, in your own way, what you need and want to happen. You’re willing the goodness to come to you. You’re allowing yourself the time to recognize what you are and what you want.