Hi, I’m Liz! The one in the middle 😉 I’m new to the 1N5 team and super excited to be sharing a part of my self-care journey with you. It has been a journey to say the least. As you can see I am FULLY surrounded with love and life and a lot to care for. In the midst of …
When You Let Go Of Expectations Magic Happens
When I released expectations, I began to love motherhood. I have spent countless hours on this new journey soaked in tears, frustration and sadness. Early on, Charlotte had pretty bad acid reflux that required her to be held 24/7 and led to crying and fussing around the clock. It all felt unfair. Why are friends with babies around the same …
You Are A Beautiful Work In Progress
We are all a work in progress. No one has it figured out, everyone is constantly learning and growing and changing. It’s really easy to beat ourselves up for being a work in progress and for not having it all together. But how beautiful is it to realize that you don’t have to be in this space of self criticizing …
I Hope You Can Love Your Body As Much As Society Loves Chunky Babies
We live in a society where baby rolls and chunky thighs are cute, but are looked down upon on a mother who just gave birth. Moms are expected and pressured to “bounce back” after having a baby and are shamed if they haven’t quite yet lost their baby fat. We don’t think about the mental toll of motherhood and that …
Despite Your Grief I Hope You Can Find Your Joy
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a whole year since my mother passed away. Time has flown by this year, but yet it still feels like it was just yesterday that I was getting the call that she died. But I don’t like to think about that day often, and I know my mom wouldn’t want me to either. …
Find Moments in Your Day That Fulfill You
Overnight, I gained a new identity. I went from being Ivy at 7 PM at my induction, to a mom at 5 AM when my sweet baby girl made her entrance into the world. This identity was unknown to me, even though I had been preparing to become a mom for over 9 months. All of a sudden, you are …
A Reminder To Take A Break
Take a break. You’re worth it. The most true words to be spoken. If you’ve been following along with my recent posts, then you know I’ve been struggling a lot lately. I’ve been putting pressure on myself like no other which has led me to be self-critical and overwork myself. In turn, I’ve felt disconnected, helpless and emotional. I knew …
Sometimes The Unexpected is Exactly What You Need
Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what you need. I had to learn to do a lot of letting go for my birth and for my postpartum journey. The day before I gave birth to Charlotte, I wasn’t feeling much movement and the hospital confirmed my concerns. I was devastated and heartbroken that they said I would need to be induced, …
It’s Okay if You Don’t Enjoy Every Moment
Enjoy every moment. That’s what they told me when they discharged me from the hospital after I gave birth and became a mom. That’s what friends and family said as they commented on my photos of our cute little addition to our family. A post full of excitement, yet fear of the unknown. You see mothers on social media seeming …
Self-Care Guest Blog by Leah
Hi, my name is Leah Brown. I’m a health promotion and education intern here at 1N5. I am a 4th year at the University of Cincinnati, and I’ll be graduating at the end of April. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety since I was very young, so I’ve really learned the importance of self-care. Finishing up college has been stressful …