the art of making motherhood magical ✨
a new series on finding joy after burnout
Motherhood has a way of humbling us.
One week, we are full of plans and purpose.
The next week, someone is sick, the house is in shambles, and we are simply trying to make it through.
For the past few months, I have been writing about how God has put the pieces of my life back together after burnout by teaching me to slow down, heal, and establish rhythms for my family and home that were rooted in biblical principles. As it turns out, God’s design for things is better than my own design for my life. Who knew? Lol.
Healing was slow and definitely not linear, but over time, something beautiful began to grow from the seeds God planted in the soil of survival mode.
A New Creation
Motherhood changed me at the most fundamental level. Cracks began to appear in my life leading up to getting married in 2018, but my unexpected and traumatic ectopic pregnancy in 2019 shattered me. Prior to that pregnancy, I started to question whether I really did want to become a mom. While I am still grieving and processing that pain from 6 years ago, I can see how that part of my life altered me.
The things I used to care about, I no longer do.
And now I care deeply about things I never did before.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” God, in His wonderful grace, has used marriage and motherhood as a mirror so I could see not only the parts of myself that need to change but also the parts He has renewed and restored with a beauty that can only be described as divine because it is not a reflection of myself but the glorious beauty of Jesus’ overwhelming, all-consuming love.
Prior to motherhood, I didn’t have much ambition or passion. I liked working out and writing, but I struggled so much with my desire to be seen and loved, and it led to alcohol abuse, toxic relationships, disordered eating, and chasing after whatever I could to fill the emptiness inside. I didn’t know who I was because I was so busy trying to become whatever version I thought would make me accepted or, at the very least, tolerated. The sanctification process of marriage and motherhood has helped me stand on the truth of who God says I am, not who I think I am, or the world says I should be.
I do not need to find fulfillment outside of being “Mom.”
And I do not find my sole identity in being “Mom.”
Because first and foremost, I am a daughter of God.
And I believe God continues writing new chapters within us, even as the chapters of wife and mother unfold.
Our God is the master storyteller, after all, and I have been enjoying discovering new and different parts of me through the character development He has written into my story (well, mostly!).
Introducing The Magical Motherhood Series
In honor of my post-burnout character arc, I want to start a new series called Magical Motherhood as a companion to Rooted Rhythms.
Rooted Rhythms is about the development of stability and spiritual depth that occurred within and directly following burnout. Magical Motherhood is about building on that foundation of wisdom and finding beauty and wonder in God, life, and motherhood. One is the cake, one is the icing. Neither part can be enjoyed as well without the other.
In this series, I will talk about my current journey toward romanticizing life in the real world. Not in an aesthetic, unattainable way, but in a way that breathes beauty into dishes, school pickup, sick days, and ordinary afternoons.
Sometimes this will look like little side quests of exploring fun hobbies or themed days with my kids. Other days it may look like simply treating myself to something for the joy of it and sharing my ideas and the inspiration I have gotten from others.
These are not personality overhauls but soft, sustainable acts of stewardship that I want to help me bring beauty into motherhood instead of waiting for life to feel perfect before enjoying it.
God designed us to have an abundant life through walking in a constant closeness with Him and I want to enjoy what He has made, the gifts He has given me, the dreams He put in me, and most of all, the love He pours out on me.
A Gentle Invitation
If you have been craving more joy in your ordinary days, this series is for you.
You do not need elaborate plans or massive rebrand.
You need small, faithful choices that remind you life is still beautiful here.
What is one small way you could romanticize your life this week?
Love always,
Sarah
If you’ve been encouraged by this post and want to support my writing, you can “buy me a coffee” to help me keep creating gentle, faith-filled content.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing a part of your story 💕