Moonlight Affirmations
Most of us were raised to believe that anything or anyone that robs you of precious sleep is a burden. Whether it is an 8 AM Art History class or a loud roommate, the pest must be dealt with harshly.
Motherhood is the queen of all sleep deprivers, especially in the beginning but really, when will it end? One day I’ll have teenagers out at night. Won’t I be up watching the clock and hoping I didn’t raise kids who would succumb to peer pressure?
As I type this, I’m listening to my newborn grunt in her sleep and know she’ll be up soon. My 3 year-old didn’t each much for dinner so it’s entirely possible that (much like this morning) she’ll arise at 5 AM looking for a snack. It’s so easy to become resentful of these little ones for keeping our eyes open, especially as daddy sleeps soundly through it all (!!), but I believe there is another way.
Below are some of the affirmations I tell myself at 1 AM, 2 AM, 3:30 AM…whenever I find myself awake and wishing I was fast asleep, comforter curled around my neck. Mothers aren’t living normal lives. We’re fulfilling a calling to raise and nourish the future and constantly birthing new versions of our selves as we do it.
Moonlight Affirmations
1. “I am not alone.” As I think or say this one I think of all of the mothers around the world who are awake with their babies and kids. I imagine them in houses, apartments, mobile homes, tents, huts, all different races, languages, and clothing styles but all doing the same thing I am: loving their children.
2. “I am a divine mother.” Motherhood is divine. I say that in a spiritual sense. Even though we’re often spit-up dotted and frazzled, there is something godly about the selflessness and loving kindness that we show these vulnerable beings. Embrace it.
3. “No stage lasts forever.” This affirmation is particularly helpful during rough patches such as teething and growth spurts (when sleep tends to be especially rocky). Remind yourself that this will all be a distant memory.
Make the moonlight hours a sanctuary for yourself by creating a beautiful space in your bedroom. Clear out the clutter. Put the unfolded laundry in the living room if you have to. Place some candles on your nightstand. Treat yourself to your favorite lotion and pump a bit of it in your hands when you’re up in the wee hours, smell the scent and remind yourself that you are not suffering, you’re living a life of a highest calling.
This speaks to me heart, and lifts me…just the words I needed to hear, as my body is limp from fatigue. YES! Fragrant lotion at 3:00 AM….that is the power of motherhood: to turn pain into pleasure, to create peace in the midst of chaos, to hear the music in a baby’s cries. THAT is poetry in motion! Thank you for the reminder ~ may we always remember to nurture ourselves as much as we nurture others.