I am thankful to be a mom. BUT…there are definitely things I miss now that I’m a mom. There are things that I wish I had been more thankful for before I became a mom. Now when I do get a chance to experience the things I miss or wish I was more thankful for pre-motherhood I take more time to appreciate them.
PERSONAL SPACE
I miss personal space. I was not thankful enough for personal space. The ability to have personal space I completely took for granted. My personal space is also my daughter’s personal space. She can be in my lap, have her hands on my face, or climbing on me. Personal space at this present time doesn’t really exists.
THE ABILITY TO USE THE RESTROOM ALONE
Before motherhood using the restroom alone for any reason was an automatic action that I didn’t give thought or appreciation to. At this point using the restroom alone is a double edged sword. Are you happy that it happens? Yes. Are you possibly slightly concerned that you’re able to do so? Also yes. Does using the restroom alone happen often? No. And in my experience it’s usually a rushed experience.
DECENT SLEEP
Sleep and decent sleep are two very different things. I do manage to sleep. I do not manage to always get decent sleep. Between the night feedings, sleep regression, and my own personal anxiety I am sure my sleep was terrible in the early days of motherhood. Sleep today is better but not by much. I miss the days where decent sleep was the norm.
DOING WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT
Before motherhood if I wanted to go out on a random Tuesday I could. Now, going anywhere takes planning and coordination. Doing what I want when I want is one of the things I miss most now that I’m a mom. My choices now can affect a whole tiny human. The days of impromptu plans alone are gone. I miss them sometimes.
MY IDENTITY OUTSIDE OF MOTHERHOOD
I am more than just a mom but I think sometimes my identity as a mother takes precedence over just me outside of motherhood. It’s nice when people just ask how I am doing. It’s nice for people to want to see me and spend time with me without my child. I under-appreciated my identity before motherhood. I am definitely more thankful when people recognize me separate from journey of motherhood.
