The Importance of Achievable Goals on Maternity Leave with Nisolo

Setting achievable goals on maternity leave has been the saving grace for my sanity. Yes, since Phoenix’s birth – I have been sitting at home keeping a human alive with my body aka my G size boobs. I logically know that is an achievement in and of itself. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I *sometimes* feel like a couch potato/prisoner of my own milk (LOL) who will never have a clean house or new content on her blogs ever again. The cocktail of hormones pulsing through my veins is like the biggest case of PMS I have ever had, x 10000. I consciously know that the thoughts that come and go aren’t legit, but if Dr. Joe Dispenza has taught me anything – it’s that those thoughts need acknowledgement before they can TRULY hit the road. Shining light on these less than favorable thoughts is the key, so thanks for letting me do that here with you guys! 

SO back to the point of this post – setting achievable goals during maternity leave. Here are 5 things that have helped me feel accomplished/ the best version of a momma during the past couple of weeks of postpartum with my sweet little guy! I hope these things help the rest of the mothers at home and add a little bit to the lives of the rest of America at home during this time of quarantine. 

• Shower, get dressed, + put makeup on: Is it weird to admit that I think I have worn more makeup on maternity leave in my new Mother of Phoenix role than I have in the past year? I find so much comfort in a shower, an outfit with nowhere to go, and a FULL face of makeup. I’m talking a full face with not a single step left out: primer, setting spray, the whole nine yards that I would usually save for special occasions like photoshoots and New Years. To each their own, am I right? See my favorite beauty products here.

I have a second breast feeding station set up in our front room. I keep makeup, KOSAS lip balm, and rose water spray (see a full list of my favorite beauty products right now here) to touch up my full face of makeup in this Nisolo Rosa Pouch. Once I get out of the thick of new momma/COVID 19 phase, I see myself throwing this in my diaper bag for touching up on the go! The leather is the ultimate definition of buttery and I adore this company so much for their mission. They are sustainable, intentional, and make high quality products that last. Shop the pouch here:

Rosa Pouch in black

• Set up a Work from Home station – prior to new baby, I did a lot of work from home for The Crystal Press and cathclaire.com. Like alot. Between shooting, writing, and creating content – working from home was how I spent the majority of my free time. Now, with free time being a temporary thing of the past, whenever the baby sleeps – even if it is just for 20 minutes – I try to retreat to my “work from home” station I have set up at the kitchen table. My home office is upstairs and I haven’t quite figured out how to include that into Phoenix & I’s new routine just yet – but this station in the kitchen has made me feel some semblance of normalcy. Have I been working on the same blogpost for 3 weeks? Yes. Have I found thoughts creeping in that beat myself up about it ? Yes. But guess what, it’s okay. My baby will never be this small again and while I need some feelings of normalcy, spending time with him is my numero uno priority. Do what you can, with what you can, mamas. 

With my hands carrying all the things all the time, I have been loving (+ super thankful for!) this Nisolo Lori tote. It is so versatile and that is so necessary for my life right now. It can fit everything for my work from home station OR it can function as a super chic diaper bag- housing everything for my little guy! Shop it here:

Lori Tote in black

• Journal – even if it is just for 5 minutes. Re: the hormones pulsing through my veins and a new baby doing new things every single day! I never want to forget this time, regardless of the crazy emotions, the hectic days, or feeling like a couch potato. Journaling is something I have always done and it’s a great way for me to record my life in a way that I thoroughly enjoy looking through in the future. More on ways to keep a consistent journaling practice here. 

• Go on a walk with baby Phoenix + Buddha the magical maltipoo : I know for each of these goals, I keep referencing “even if it’s just for 5, 10, 20 minutes” but it’s so true. And with that said, the same thing goes for going on a walk to get some fresh air with baby Phoenix + my pup, Buddha. I grab my keys, lip balm, phone and throw them into my Nisolo Luisa envelope clutch – yes it matches my whole black leather set I have been talking about in this post and I’m obsessed LOL – and take a stroll around the neighborhood with the stroller. Sometimes it feels like a to-do getting everyone (aka the 3 of us) out the door, but once I am outside – I am always glad that I did. Shop the clutch here:

Luisa Clutch in black

• Intentional baby snuggles : Last but not least, intentional baby snuggles with Mr. Phoenix. It is so easy for the day to pass when you are home by yourself changing diapers, feeding on demand, and trying to clean up the mess as you go. Before you know it, you look up at the clock and it is already 8 PM. It is hard not to wonder what the heck you did all day and while each of these achievable goals will help with that, one of my favorites on this list is intentional baby snuggles. For example, watching him while he eats and not picking up my phone browsing aimlessly. Being present with the little guy in whatever way I know how and making our time together as intentional as possible. The days I wake up reminding myself to be present with my sweet little angel man are the days that I feel the best and honestly, most accomplished. 

Thank you to Nisolo for sponsoring this post and inspiring me with your endless mission to value not only amazing design but also the producers and planet as much as your consumers. Especially in trying times of uncertainty, you are an inspiration to us all more than ever.