Mothering Ourselves Mindfully

In this episode, I'm recording from a walk during one of my busiest weeks ever - and that's exactly the point. When life gets overwhelming with big events, deadlines, and endless to-dos, that's precisely when we need to prioritize taking care of ourselves the most.

What You'll Hear:

• Why I chose to go for a walk and record this episode when I "should" have been tackling my massive to-do list
• The reality that no one is coming to save us from our overscheduled lives
• How to break free from the trap of waiting for the "right time" to prioritize yourself
• The powerful shift that happens when we interrupt overwhelming patterns with simple self-care
• Why making time for yourself when you're busiest is actually the most productive thing you can do

Key Moments:

🚶‍♀️ Recording in real-time while experiencing the "buzziness" of an overwhelming week (2:30)

⏰ The meditation principle: "Meditate for 15 minutes a day, unless you're super busy - then meditate for an hour" (18:45)

💪 Why three simple arm circles can create profound shifts in your nervous system (20:15)

🔄 Breaking the cycle of "I'll take care of myself when..." thinking (14:20)

Quotes:

"When I am the busiest is when I need to prioritize making time for myself the most."

"The work is making time for yourself when you have no time for yourself - it's not waiting for you to have more time."

Resources:

• Information about one-on-one coaching: Send a message asking about coaching. https://cal.com/theschoolofmom/15-min-flourish-chat
• Follow along for more real-time support and community

If this message about prioritizing yourself during your busiest seasons resonated with you, please share this episode with another mom who needs this reminder.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I share the powerful story behind The School of Mom's Maple seed logo. What began as a challenging rebranding experience ultimately led to one of the most meaningful transformations in the business.

• The journey that led to our rebrand and why I felt the previous logo didn't reflect the depth and soul of The School of Mom
• A candid look at a difficult designer relationship that pushed me to trust my intuition
• How meditation and surrendering to the process revealed the perfect symbol for our brand
• The remarkable symbolism of the Maple seed and why it perfectly represents The School of Mom community
• An exciting announcement about FLOURISH enrollment closing and a new book project

• 🍁 The meditation that revealed the Maple seed imagery (8:45)
• 🌱 Discovering the powerful symbolism of Maple seeds that perfectly aligns with our values (12:20)
• 🌿 How this experience taught me to trust what the brand "wants to be" rather than forcing a direction (17:35)
• 📚 Announcement about closing FLOURISH enrollment to new members and beginning work on a book (22:10)

"I am surrendering to what The School of MOM is meant to be and how it wants to show up in the world."

"The more I learn how to trust the language of my body, the more I realize that the best solution comes when we feel (not think) our way into things."

• Join FLOURISH before enrollment closes: https://theschoolofmom.com/flourish
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://theschoolofmom.com/newsletter
• Follow on Instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/the.schoolofmom/

If the story of trusting your intuition in business resonated with you, please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, inspired by 5 years of playing with nature metaphors and recent time spent gardening, I dive into a cycle of nature that helps us understand the journey of mothering ourselves mindfully.

• The Garden Metaphor: How placing our personal "garden" in a community of like-minded mothers creates the foundation for growth
• Becoming a Mindful Gardener: The practice of observing ourselves with curiosity, discernment, acceptance, and kindness
• Tending to Your Soil: Why examining your nervous system patterns (like people-pleasing or perfectionism) is essential before planting new habits
• The Plant-Nourish-Flourish Cycle: Why we often struggle with the crucial nourishment step between intention and results
• Growth Takes Time: Understanding that personal transformation follows natural cycles and requires patience, just like gardening
• Community as the Key to Flourishing: Why true flourishing happens in connection with others who support your journey

• Flourish Community is closing its doors to new members at the end of May 2025 for the foreseeable future. Register here: https://theschoolofmom.com/flourish
• Now is the perfect time to join before the community shifts to a more intimate space for the summer
• Exciting news about an upcoming book project

Whether you're keeping a basil plant alive on your kitchen counter or maintaining a full garden, I'd love to hear your nature metaphors and gardening experiences!

Join us in the Plant, Nourish, Flourish journey - where we learn to tend to ourselves with the same care and patience we give to our gardens.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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• In this episode, I pose a confronting question: "Who in your life sees, loves, and witnesses you unconditionally just as you are?"
• When asked in my community, answers varied (children, aunts, sisters, a couple partners) - but notably, no one mentioned their mothers
• I share my personal answer to this question and how it’s lead to a liberational path forward
• Understanding that we often unconsciously seek in our partners what we didn't receive from our primary caregivers
• When we become our own source of unconditional love, it transforms all our relationships

"When we can stop expecting someone else to be this presence for us and we turn towards ourselves to become this witness and this unconditional love... we can release the burden that we put on others unconsciously."

"It takes one person in a relationship to change the dance."

"Your love for yourself gets to be the bigger energy."

• Enrollment for Flourish and Write will be closing at the end of the month
• I'll be working with my community on writing a book together

I'd love to hear how this episode resonates with you! How did you answer the question? Who in your life sees, loves, and witnesses you unconditionally? Share your thoughts with me.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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We are celebrating the 5-year anniversary of The School of MOM, which launched on Mother's Day in 2020. Reflecting on how the program has evolved from its initial "Mothering Oneself Mindfully" course to today's expanded offerings, including the 12-month Flourish program and UNTETHERED. We explore what it truly means to flourish as mothers and how the practices of mindfulness and self-compassion have taken root over time.

• The School of MOM celebrates its 5-year anniversary, having launched on Mother's Day 2020
• Reflections on a recent powerful women's event called "Remember" and the insights gained about identity, ancestry, and motherhood
• The importance of "mothering ourselves mindfully" and how this work manifests in real life
• Redefining what flourishing looks like in different seasons of motherhood
• How to navigate Mother's Day when you have a complicated or non-existent relationship with your own mother
• The growth of The School of MOM community and programs over five years

"I can see the work working... I am so much more myself, unapologetically, meaning all my feelings are gifts. All the waves of emotions that I have are welcome."

"I am absolutely unsubscribing to the narrative that it is not available to mothers to thrive."

"If you, on this Mother's Day, are feeling heaviness, grief, anger, resentment, this is your invitation to see that as the medicine, to see it as a wave."

• Flourish - 12-month integration program
• Untethered - Program for women with strained maternal relationships
• Special cohort for therapist moms (currently has a waitlist)

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

Mother's Day evokes different emotions for each of us. Whether you feel expansive and joyful or contracted and heavy—or some combination of both—all of these responses are valid.

This week leading up to Mother's Day, I want to acknowledge that everyone listening will have a different subconscious response in their body to these celebrations. Some might feel open and expansive, while others might feel contracted and heavy. Both experiences are completely valid.

For those with strained or non-existent relationships with their mothers (what we call "apples" in our community), please know you're not alone. I've included a special meditation in the resources below to support you during this time.

On this Mother's Day, I'm celebrating all of you—your full range of emotions, your journey, and everything that has shaped you as a mother. May you know you are deeply loved, worthy of your desires, and the perfect mother for your children.

• A special meditation for those with strained or non-existent relationships with their mothers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vIdsrnMgDq4Ifvkp1zkJx24EpVnTgMfd/view?usp=sharing
• Book a 1:1 with Sarah at a special price through May 18th: https://cal.com/theschoolofmom/1-1-with-sarah-flash-sale
• Book a 3-pack of coaching sessions with Sarah at a special price through May 18th: https://checkout.theschoolofmom.com/3-session-pack/ [Use code MOTHERSDAY]

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this episode, I reflect on how to stay grounded during challenging times - both in our personal lives and amid the broader political landscape. With executive orders, policy changes, and their real-world impacts affecting many in our community, I share what's helping me maintain perspective and balance.

• Why our nervous systems aren't designed for the constant barrage of news and information we face today
• How setting boundaries around "inputs" (what we see, hear, and consume) is crucial for wellbeing
• Understanding the Four Noble Truths, which teaches that suffering is inevitable, but our reaction to it is optional
• How our nervous system state dictates the lens through which we see the world
• The importance of returning to basics: movement, sleep, nourishing food, and contemplative practice
• Why asking "What would love do?" can be a powerful guiding question

• Be meticulous about boundaries with inputs - what comes in through your eyes, ears, and mouth
• The state of your nervous system affects how you interpret everything around you
• When in a dysregulated state, your body starts shutting down vital systems
• Self-love isn't fluffy - it's foundational to being able to give love to others
• If you're listening to this podcast, you're a pattern interrupter and a lightworker

• Nervous System 101 episode
• Conversation with Shinichi Daimyo about boundaries and values. Listen here: Spotify or Apple podcast

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

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In this episode, I dive into the differences between individual therapy and coaching, exploring what type of one-on-one support might be right for you at different stages of your journey.

• The key differences between therapy and coaching through a helpful metaphor
• My personal journey from therapy to coaching and beyond
• How to determine what kind of support you actually need right now
• Why the connection with your provider matters more than their title
• The importance of working with someone who embodies their teachings

• Announcement of our new "Flourish with Extra Support" option that includes six one-on-one calls
• My personal experience transitioning from traditional therapy to coaching
• The pivotal body-centered session that changed my approach to healing
• Why I'm moving away from the labels of "therapist" and "coach" toward "trusted guide"
• The value of directness and truth in a supportive relationship

• Are you broken down on the side of the highway (therapy) or just taking the wrong exits (coaching)?
• What are you looking for in a provider: crisis management, cheerleading, or a deeper partnership?
• Is your current support relationship feeling stagnant? If so, have you discussed this with your support provider?

If you're interested in learning more about Flourish with Extra Support or exploring one-on-one work together, you can book a chat with me anytime. Register here: Flourish with Extra Support

Looking for a therapist? Check out Parent Wellness Group: https://www.parentwellnessgroup.com/

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this vulnerable episode, Sarah opens up about her journey with shame and inner criticism, sharing a personal story about confronting her "inner Beth" - the shame voice that has followed her since middle school.

• How naming and confronting our shame voices can be transformative
• The connection between childhood experiences and adult insecurities
• Practical ways to release shame through connection and vulnerability
• How our inner critic develops as a protective mechanism
• The importance of authentic conversations in healing relationships

• Sarah shares the origin story of "Beth," her inner critic voice that developed from a middle school cafeteria interaction
• How bringing unconscious patterns into the light through vulnerable conversation can deflate shame
• The ripple effect of releasing shame in one area of your life
• Connection to The Mother Matrix series and working with inner selves

• Take the quiz: "Discover your dominant inner voice" at theschoolofmom.com/quiz
• Reference to Brené Brown's work on shame resilience
• The Mother Matrix class series, exploring programming in mothering. Register here: https://theschoolofmom.com/mother-matrix 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call

In this episode, I share a conversation with Shinichi Daimyo, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and psychotherapist with over 20 years of mental health experience across the globe.

We explore the challenging question many parents face: "Am I working too much?" This conversation covers both work outside the home and the work of parenting itself. Shin shares insights on how to identify when our values and priorities become misaligned and how to reconnect with what truly matters.

We discuss:

• How to discern between our authentic values and those programmed by society or family
• The importance of understanding the consequences of our choices
• How to use the body's wisdom to guide difficult decisions
• The transformative power of love as a compass for decision-making

This conversation offers valuable perspective for anyone struggling to balance their professional ambitions with family life and personal wellbeing.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Mothering Ourselves Mindfully." We look forward to sharing more insights and inspiration in the upcoming episodes!

www.theschoolofmom.com

Instagram @the.schoolofmom

Book a breakthrough Call