Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

You're not alone if you feel like you are drowning in motherhood. It's not because you're incapable or failing; it's the weight of the never-ending to-do list.

It's not just about who does the dishes or puts the kids to bed. It's the invisible labor of planning, organizing, anticipating, and emotionally buffering every situation.

Inside this episode, you'll learn:

• What the mental load is and why women tend to carry the bulk of it.
• How the mental load impacts our mental health and relationships.
• Strategies from Dr. Morgan Cutlip for discussing the mental load with your partner and creating a better share.
• Tips for bringing fun and play back into your relationship.

01:50 Understanding the Mental Load

02:18 Dr. Morgan Cutlip's Expertise

04:02 Defining the Mental Load

05:29 The Triple Threat of Tasks

09:54 Mental Load and Mental Health

12:52 Managing Willpower and Avoiding Burnout

18:22 Effective Communication with Your Partner

25:30 Bringing Fun Back into Relationships

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

CONNECT WITH DR. MORGAN CUTLIP:

Website: DrMorganCutlip.com

Instagram: @DrMorganCutlip

Find Her Books:

Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself by Dr. Morgan Cutlip

A Better Share : How Couples Tackle the Mental Load (pre-order)

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

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Have you ever had a dream of starting a business but weren't sure how to get there?

Today we share the story of a mom who started her own small business from scratch but isn't quite sure what the next step is. We'll work together to come up with some exciting ideas for her next steps, focusing on her goals for her family and business.

If you've got a great thing going but it's not quite fitting into your life the way you want, you're in the right place.

Inside this episode, you'll learn:

• How to pivot your business to better fit your life
• Why it's important to have a backup plan for your business
• Creative ways to connect with your customers (even when you can't be there in person!)

Want to start your own hobby or side hustle? Schedule a free 15 minute call with me to learn how we can work together.

01:18 Challenges and Coaching: Finding the Next Steps

02:26 Balancing Family and Business: Shay's Busy Life

03:46 Business Growth and Overcoming Setbacks

07:29 Health Concerns: The Impact of Resin Sensitivity

11:32 Future Goals: Classes, Products, and Digital Projects

13:30 Creative Solutions: Expanding Beyond Resin

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

While you're there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too.

Like this show? Pay it forward and share it with a friend.

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

CONNECT WITH SHAY:

Instagram @SensorySeekingKids

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

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Have you ever felt like motherhood completely changed your life while your partner's stayed pretty much the same?

Are you running on empty, doing everything in the daily grind, and losing yourself in the process? You're told to soak up every moment, but what about when you don't even feel like a person anymore? Many women feel motherhood changes everything, and no one prepares them for just how much of themselves they're going to lose in the process.

Inside this episode, you're going to learn:

• How psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip also felt this way
• How she reclaimed her identity even when she was in the thick of it
• That motherhood is supposed to be transformative, triggering examination of who we are and how we show up
• It's normal to take several years to feel whole again, even for experts

04:23 Dr. Morgan's Personal Journey

05:09 The Early Days of Motherhood

08:44 Navigating the Challenges of New Motherhood

13:57 The Roots of Resentment

14:35 Navigating Early Parenthood Challenges

15:10 The Ideal Mom vs. Reality

15:41 Motherhood Influences and Expectations

16:55 Struggles with Early Motherhood

18:13 Transitioning to a Second Child

20:11 Understanding De-Selfing in Motherhood

22:11 Rediscovering Self and Balance

Want to create more fairness and less resentment in your relationship? You'll want to tune into the next episode where Dr. Morgan comes back to share about her book A Better Share and how to address the mental load with your partner while bringing back the fun.

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

CONNECT WITH DR. MORGAN CUTLIP:

Website: DrMorganCutlip.com

Instagram: @DrMorganCutlip

Find Her Books:

Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself by Dr. Morgan Cutlip

A Better Share : How Couples Tackle the Mental Load (pre-order)

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Have you ever felt like the mom you thought you'd be is totally different from the mom you actually are? Like you had this vision in your head, and then reality hit? You're not alone.

In this episode, I'm going to share why so many of us feel like we are failing at motherhood simply because we don't fit into a vision that we once had about the kind of mom we thought we'd be. We'll explore the pressure to conform to certain "mom types" and why it's so important to let go of that guilt and embrace the mom you actually are.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why we often feel like we're failing at motherhood when we don't meet our own expectations.
• The different types of moms out there and why there's no one "right" way to be a mom.
• How to grieve the vision of motherhood that you once had and move towards real acceptance.

00:00 Introduction: The Mom You Thought You'd Be vs. Reality

00:42 The Vision of Motherhood Before Becoming a Mom

01:15 The Reality Check: When Expectations Meet Reality

02:06 The Emotional Impact of Unmet Expectations

04:37 Understanding the Source of Pressure and Shame

07:52 Grieving the Vision and Embracing Reality

09:44 Conclusion: Embracing Your Unique Motherhood Journey

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

While you're there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too.

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Have you ever felt the desire to build something but you weren't exactly sure what you wanted to do?

Like you wanted to create something that you were inspired by and excited about, but you weren't really sure where to begin?

Inside this episode, you're going to learn:

• How a mom started a small business running activities for local moms at a coffee shop from absolutely nothing
• How she pushed through these uncomfortable feelings of being vulnerable to reaching out, and connecting with people to get this going and make this dream come true
• How her business has grown and some of the challenges she's faced along the way.
• How she plans to grow her business in the next six months

Want to start your own hobby or side hustle? Schedule a free 15 minute call with me to learn how we can work together.

00:44 Reem's Background and Initial Struggles

01:19 The Birth of a Business Idea

02:17 Steps to Success and Overcoming Challenges

03:30 Reem's Family and Personal Growth

04:42 Launching Learn and Play Workshops

08:39 Initial Failures and Persistence

11:55 Finding the Right Venue

14:12 The Power of Personal Connection

15:18 Balancing Business and Family

16:38 Future Plans and Growth

18:18 Simplifying the Booking Process

24:10 Exploring New Revenue Streams

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

While you're there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too.

Like this show? Pay it forward and share it with a friend.

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

CONNECT WITH REEM FRYLING:

Instagram @The.Mommy.Toolkit

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Do you remember that feeling of total chaos when you had your first baby? You were up all night Googling things like, "Why does my baby sound like a pterodactyl?" or "Will I ever sleep again?"

Are you expecting your second, third, or even fourth baby, and wondering if you're truly prepared?

In this episode, Heather Knezic, a labor and delivery nurse and mom of three, shares her wisdom on how to confidently prepare for a new baby, no matter how many you've had before. Heather shares her expert advice on how to confidently prepare for a new baby, no matter how many you've had before. She opens up about how, despite her professional experience, she felt lost and overwhelmed when she became a mom. Now, she's passionate about providing real, raw, and honest support to other moms. Tune in to learn how to ditch the textbook advice and embrace the unique journey of each birth!

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why visualizing your ideal birth can be more powerful than just writing a birth plan.
• How to shift your mindset from focusing on what might happen to you in birth, to what you can do to shape your experience.
• Why preparing for postpartum and breastfeeding is just as important as preparing for the birth itself.

Ready to feel empowered and prepared for your upcoming birth? Tune in now!

00:39 The Chaos of New Motherhood

01:58 Heather's Professional Transformation

02:36 Real and Honest Support for Moms

03:03 Heather's Birth and Postpartum Courses

04:03 Preparing for Birth: Heather's Experience

08:16 The Importance of Preparation

16:05 Breastfeeding Challenges and Realities

19:27 Co-Sleeping and Safe Sleep Practices

23:16 Creating a Life in Labor

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER KNEZIC:

Instagram @aLifeinLabor | alifeinlabor.com

alifeinlabor.com/boldlittleminds for 30% off all prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding courses Heather offers

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Did motherhood hit harder than you expected? You might have thought you were made for this, but then reality hits, and suddenly, you're questioning everything. You might be overwhelmed by the picture-perfect advice out there, like everyone else knows something you don't.

If you've ever struggled with postpartum anxiety, unrealistic expectations, or the overwhelming pressure to "do it right," this episode is for you. Heather Knezic, a labor nurse and mom of three, shares how motherhood was nothing like she imagined and how she learned to navigate the chaos.

But what if you could discover how to navigate the unexpected realities of motherhood? Heather gets it. She's here to share her own journey and offer some real, unfiltered advice. Learn how to move past those feelings of isolation and find realistic solutions that actually work.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why motherhood can feel so different from what you expected, even if you've always dreamed of being a mom
• How that "newborn bliss" can quickly turn into overwhelming anxiety and self-doubt
• The importance of seeking real, unfiltered advice and support instead of those sugar-coated solutions that leave you feeling even more lost

Ready to embrace the real journey of motherhood? Tune in to gain insights and practical advice from someone who understands the challenges firsthand.

00:34 The Reality of Motherhood

02:27 Heather's Journey to Motherhood

04:18 Transitioning Between Phases

14:25 Challenges with Infant Acid Reflux

18:34 Finding Support and Starting a Blog

20:15 Deciding to Have More Children

22:01 Managing Multiple Children

27:05 Heather's Parenting Tips

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER KNEZIC:

Instagram @aLifeinLabor | alifeinlabor.com

alifeinlabor.com/boldlittleminds for 30% off all prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding courses Heather offers

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Has motherhood turned everything you thought you knew upside down? Your career path, your values, even your definition of success?

You had a clear sense of direction before kids — expertise in your field, strong beliefs about parenting, a solid identity. Then motherhood arrived, and suddenly, nothing felt certain anymore.

In this episode, I share how to navigate this identity shift and embrace the wisdom that comes with letting go of your pre-mom self.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why trying to hold onto your pre-mom identity might be holding you back
• How to embrace uncertainty as a sign of growth, not failure
• Ways to build a new identity that includes your hard-earned wisdom without losing your core self

00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Everything in Motherhood

00:41 Personal Journey: Unraveling Certainties

01:49 Career and Identity Crisis

04:50 Shifting Values and Self-Judgment

07:59 Embracing Change and Growth

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

While you're there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too.

Like this show? Pay it forward and share it with a friend.

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

How often do you find yourself scrolling through social media, wishing you could pursue something just for you but feeling too guilty to take time away from mom duties?

Many moms give up their passions and interests, thinking there's no room for personal fulfillment alongside motherhood. But what if you could find something that fits your life right now?

In this episode, I share why hobbies and side hustles aren't selfish — they're necessary for reconnecting with yourself beyond motherhood.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why forcing yourself into time-consuming hobbies often backfires (and what to do instead)
• Simple ways to start exploring interests in just 10 minutes a day
• How to find flexible side hustles that work around nap times and family life

00:00 Introduction: Finding Yourself Beyond Motherhood

00:40 The Struggles of Losing Yourself in Motherhood

01:26 Recognizing the Need for Personal Fulfillment

02:18 Starting Small: Hobbies and Side Hustles

04:44 Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

05:50 Practical Ideas for Hobbies and Side Hustles

10:38 Consistency and Realistic Goals

11:55 Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Identity

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject!

While you're there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too.

Like this show? Pay it forward and share it with a friend.

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Have you ever wondered how someone processes a major life trauma while still managing the day-to-day demands of motherhood? Do you feel like your own story has been buried under the chaos of raising children? Many moms struggle to find time for themselves and their own stories. In this episode, Tara Pyfrom shares how she turned her experience of surviving a hurricane into a book, and how writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Her story reminds us of the importance of sharing our stories and that we all have a unique voice that matters.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• How Tara and her family were rescued after their home was destroyed, and what happened in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, including finding temporary shelter for her family and five dogs.
• Why her family relocated from the Bahamas to Florida, then to Canada, and how they navigated the challenges of moving internationally while processing trauma.
• The journey of writing her memoir, including how it started as a therapeutic exercise and became a pathway to healing, and how she learned to self-publish and promote her book.

Every mom has a story worth telling, and sharing it can be a powerful step towards rediscovering yourself and feeling whole again.

00:30 The Power of Storytelling

00:57 Challenges of Sharing Stories

01:59 Introducing Tara Pyfrom

03:14 Surviving Hurricane Dorian

04:31 Finding Refuge and Relocating

07:18 Adjusting to Life in Canada

12:26 Maintaining Family Memories

14:37 Processing Trauma Through Writing

15:46 From Therapy Pages to Book Pages

17:54 The Journey to Self-Publishing

22:43 Parenting Through Crisis

27:38 Where to Find the Book and Connect

Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear.

Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming!

Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message!

Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you.

CONNECT WITH TARA PYFROM

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE