Connect
RAISING TWO SPIRITED GIRLS WITH A SLOW-AND-SIMPLE PHILOSOPHY
Joy, fulfillment, pride. Guilt, shame, uncertainty. Motherhood is a complex, nuanced mix of a vast range of emotions. Yet somehow, it can feel uncomfortable—unacceptable, even—to express anything that so much as veers toward the negative end of the spectrum.
This month, we’re celebrating motherhood for everything it is—the joys, challenges, and all the messy, surprising, incredible moments in between—with our Let’s Talk Motherhood series. Over the next four weeks, members of the barre3 community will share their experience of motherhood with us, answering questions that skip the small talk and get right to the issues.
Today, barre3 Ballard client Anjelica Malone shares her experience raising two spirited girls while maintaining her slow-and-simple approach to life. An author, educator, doula, midwife-in-training, and podcast host, Anjelica has built her business around supporting women throughout their motherhood journey.
I’m the mama of…
Two free-spirited island girls, who now live in the rainy Pacific Northwest
Before I bedcame a mother, I thought motherhood was…
Restricting.
My favorite part about being a mom is…
Seeing my girls grow and blossom. I realize that they are full of wisdom, and I have much to learn from them.
The hardest part about being a mom is…
Balancing discipline with gentleness. I am naturally a very firm and orderly person, but I want my daughters to know that they are loved regardless of how they perform.
The thing I miss most about my life before motherhood is…
The energy and ability I had to just make a spur-of-the-moment decision and do it! I love to be spontaneous, and it takes a bit more work with kiddos.
My philosophy on motherhood is…
Slow and simple. We really try and streamline things and prioritize what’s most important to us: not overscheduling, purchasing mindfully, making time for our small circle of friends, spending weekends together as a family…
When I can carve out time for myself, I…
Either go out with friends or get creative. I love to try out new cafes and restaurants here in Seattle, and I also enjoy making things with my hands. I’ve recently gotten into making rag dolls from wax print fabric and upcycled linen.
Motherhood has changed my feelings about…
Having it all – I still have many dreams and goals, but I don’t desire to do them all right now. I am much more comfortable with embracing seasons and cherishing what’s accessible to me today, while still holding onto hope for what’s to come in the future.
I would tell mamas-to-be…
To embrace your own idea of motherhood. I like to say that Motherhood is a Mosaic. It looks different for each person, and that’s the beauty of it. I would encourage every mother to create her own experience without guilt, shame, or fear…you are the perfect mother for your child.
I hope my kids remember me as…
Loving and full of life.
For more mama wisdom from Anjelica, check out her article on essential advice for new moms. And check out more on motherhood in the B3 Magazine here, here, here and here.
Joy, fulfillment, pride. Guilt, shame, uncertainty. Motherhood is a complex, nuanced mix of a vast range of emotions. Yet somehow, it can feel uncomfortable—unacceptable, even—to express anything that so much as veers toward the negative end of the spectrum.
This month, we’re celebrating motherhood for everything it is—the joys, challenges, and all the messy, surprising, incredible moments in between—with our Let’s Talk Motherhood series. Over the next four weeks, members of the barre3 community will share their experience of motherhood with us, answering questions that skip the small talk and get right to the issues.
Today, barre3 Ballard client Anjelica Malone shares her experience raising two spirited girls while maintaining her slow-and-simple approach to life. An author, educator, doula, midwife-in-training, and podcast host, Anjelica has built her business around supporting women throughout their motherhood journey.
I’m the mama of…
Two free-spirited island girls, who now live in the rainy Pacific Northwest
Before I bedcame a mother, I thought motherhood was…
Restricting.
My favorite part about being a mom is…
Seeing my girls grow and blossom. I realize that they are full of wisdom, and I have much to learn from them.
The hardest part about being a mom is…
Balancing discipline with gentleness. I am naturally a very firm and orderly person, but I want my daughters to know that they are loved regardless of how they perform.
The thing I miss most about my life before motherhood is…
The energy and ability I had to just make a spur-of-the-moment decision and do it! I love to be spontaneous, and it takes a bit more work with kiddos.
My philosophy on motherhood is…
Slow and simple. We really try and streamline things and prioritize what’s most important to us: not overscheduling, purchasing mindfully, making time for our small circle of friends, spending weekends together as a family…
When I can carve out time for myself, I…
Either go out with friends or get creative. I love to try out new cafes and restaurants here in Seattle, and I also enjoy making things with my hands. I’ve recently gotten into making rag dolls from wax print fabric and upcycled linen.
Motherhood has changed my feelings about…
Having it all – I still have many dreams and goals, but I don’t desire to do them all right now. I am much more comfortable with embracing seasons and cherishing what’s accessible to me today, while still holding onto hope for what’s to come in the future.
I would tell mamas-to-be…
To embrace your own idea of motherhood. I like to say that Motherhood is a Mosaic. It looks different for each person, and that’s the beauty of it. I would encourage every mother to create her own experience without guilt, shame, or fear…you are the perfect mother for your child.
I hope my kids remember me as…
Loving and full of life.
For more mama wisdom from Anjelica, check out her article on essential advice for new moms. And check out more on motherhood in the B3 Magazine here, here, here and here.
