9 Ways To Regain Your Sense Of Self

9 Ways to Regain Your Sense of Self 

Jewell:I got pregnant, I gave birth, I got pregnant, I gave birth, I got pregnant, I gave birth… 

Everyone: [Laughs] 

Emirick: Keep going, Jewell!

Mariel: It’s like a handmaid’s tale! I’m like… 

Everyone: [Laughs] 

Jewell: My hormones were all over the place! And at the same time dealing with crying babies and lack of sleep. I always just felt stressed out! And fast forward to now, maybe within the last two years, is when I recognized that I’ve lost who I was!

Mariel Gutierrez: Hello! Welcome to the Faith and Family podcast, hosted by the Tired but inspired Moms! We are four Christian moms of the Church Of Christ, Iglesia Ni Cristo. I’m Mariel Gutierrez. I’ve been a mom since 2006.

Bernie Rosquites: I’m Bernie Rosquites! I’ve been a mom since 2012. 

Emirick: I’m Emirick Haro, and [I’ve] been a mom since 2000! 

Jewell: And I’m Jewell Buenavista. [I’ve] been a mom since 2008!

Mariel: It’s so funny. You know, I was actually doing the math in my head. I’m like, collectively, we have 50 years of mom-ing experience. [Laughs]. And I felt both old but very accomplished! Because I was like, well, if I don’t have the experience I can always just tap into one of my friends, you know? [laughs] Right? So today, I’m going to ask, do you guys even remember what you were like before being a mom? With our 50 years of mom-ing experience? Do you all feel like you’ve lost a sense of identity? So, today – listeners, friends – today we’re going to discover the 9 effective ways to cope with identity loss, and how to slowly gain it back! 

Bernie: Well, good. Because girl I need it! Before being a mom, I was… a creative! You know, I loved, loved to write. But the last time I was creative, was helping my 8 year old with a puppet show… 

Everyone: Aww…

Bernie: And you know, my fashion sense has kind of been chiseled down to like the leggings and the hoodie and the slip on shoes – preferably Vans – so that’s why I think I’m still a little bit fashionable? 

Emirick: [Laughs] definitely! Kids are wearing them? I mean, come on, right?!

Bernie: And them um… right?!

Mariel: Right! Right. Still on point. 

Emirick: Hoodies and vans! You’re still good. 

Bernie: And then don’t get me started [with] wearing that make-up! My make-up brushes have collected dust, and I think the only thing that’s still being used is eyeliner and mascara, and do I even bother to wear lipstick these days? Do I even? So… 

Jewell: Oh my goodness, Bernie. We’re so the same when it comes to that! Well, I just realized before… um when becoming a mom after the three, I realized ok, something about me has changed. And what I realized was: I got pregnant, I gave birth, I got pregnant, I gave birth, I got pregnant, I gave birth… 

Everyone: [Laughs] 

Emirick: Keep going, Jewell!

Mariel: It’s like a handmaid’s tale! I’m like… 

Everyone: [Laughs] 

Jewell: My hormones were all over the place! And at the same time dealing with crying babies and lack of sleep. I always just felt stressed out! And fast forward to now, maybe within the last two years, is when I recognized that I’ve lost who I was! And, honestly, mamas, I’m trying to find myself. I used to