My Daughter Saved me from the Corporate World
I am so grateful for the opportunity to feature amazing mom, Kaylan Bartholomew. Her motherhood story and words of wisdom are beyond inspiring...
On how becoming a mom has changed her life:
My daughter saved me from the corporate world. When she was 4 years old I had a very stressful job, putting in long hours at the office and at home on the weekends. She started throwing bad tantrums. She hid my blackberry among her toys and begged me to pick her up from pre-school.
I knew that this was just attention-seeking behavior because I didn’t spend enough time with her. I knew this was not how I wanted to raise my daughter. I prayed about it and got an answer to leave my job. So, I did just that. I had no idea what was to come next, but I trusted that my path would be made clear. In that space, I discovered the world of health coaching and I got the opportunity to do my yoga teacher training. It was a dream of mine for 15 years, but I didn’t have the time to pursue it. So now I spend my time working mostly with busy mothers, helping them to create the best lives for themselves and their families.
On how motherhood inspired her transition to healthy living:
I wasn’t always a healthy eater, but becoming a mom has changed me in so many ways. Before I got pregnant I was experiencing depression. When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew that my mood would affect my child. This inspired me to take the steps I needed to get healthier in mind, body and spirit. At that time my diet was very unhealthy. I ate lots of processed foods, had major sugar cravings and ate very little fruits and vegetables. I began slowly trying to change my diet, literally forcing healthy food down my throat, just for the sake of my growing child.
Mentally, I learned to let go a bit. Growing up, I liked being in control. I was praised for it also. I was “the responsible one”. At work I was “dependable.” You could always count on me to get things done. When my daughter was born, I learned an important lesson; I am not in control of anything. We would be all dressed and ready to go out and a diaper would explode! I would have an important business meeting and she would wake up with a fever. That was a very tough lesson to learn. Now I realize that I was living an illusion and that God is in control. In a way, it’s freeing to not have to take care of everyone and everything all the time.
On what she loves most about being a mom:
I love experiencing things through her eyes. It’s a reminder to be open-minded, challenge assumptions and be child-like in approaching new situations and experiences.
On the challenges of motherhood:
My daughter has held up a mirror for me in a way that I could have never anticipated. She is very sensitive and I recognized my own sensitivity through her. She highlighted childhood wounds I didn’t even know I had. Now that they have come to the surface, I know they can be healed. But the process of healing can be ugly. She forces me to challenge my own beliefs because she does not accept “because I told you so” or “because I am your mother” as an answer. Parenting has by far been the most challenging experience of my life, but also the most rewarding. I feel blessed for the opportunity to be a mother and to guide this soul through her journey here on earth.
On handling the stresses of motherhood:
I was not always dedicated to it, but yoga and meditation is what keeps me grounded. It keeps me in a place where I can face the homework battles, all-nighters with a sick child and the never-ending laundry basket. I have practiced yoga and meditation for over 15 years, but really became consistent over the last 2 years. Sometimes I even surprise myself at my calm reaction to situations that I know would have made me lose my mind in the past!
Advice for new moms:
Nurture yourself! It is easy to pour all your love, energy, and emotions into your child, particularly when they are 100% dependent on you. But the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” rings true. So take time to fill your cup. Ten-minute meditation, sitting and appreciating nature or just taking a long shower will keep you centered and able to face whatever challenges come your way.
Kaylan Bartholomew is an amazing mom and founder of Spirited Natural. She is also an MBA and former Wall Street VP.
Her clients have been able to boost their energy, diminish cravings, improve chronic health conditions, reduce stress, get the kids to eat healthier and overall improve the family connection. Kaylan uses a holistic approach recognizing that real food and exercise are only a part of what brings us balance and helps her clients explore all areas of their lives – love, relationships, career, money, spirituality and the environment. She incorporates her training as a yoga instructor to bring mindfulness, breathing techniques, energy awareness, meditation, and yoga postures to help relieve stress, a significant contributor to our health.
Starting October 5th, I will be participating in her 21 day detox program “Revive, Renew, Restore” to make sure I end 2017 on the right foot!
Learn how you can join in here.
© Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
