top of page
Search

Looking back to move forward: A personal reflection on lessons learned in 2023

I hope you are enjoying time with family and friends and taking some time to reflect on the past year. While I’m not one for resolutions, I do believe that this time of year is a good time to set goals and plan for how we might best be able to achieve them.


Having recently earned my CrossFit Level 2 credential, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to best meet my own goals and, of course, how to help my clients achieve theirs. Believe it or not, there is a beauty and simplicity that comes with exercise programming that applies to goal setting in any situation. First, THINK BIG! One or two lofty goals that you want to achieve over the next year. Next, break that down into slightly smaller chunks, quarterly let’s say. From there, you break that down into smaller and smaller parts (i.e., one month, one week, one day). At this point things become more manageable, less overwhelming, and hopefully realistic and achievable. Give it a go and let me know what you are planning for 2024.


My 2023 Recap

The wins of my clients and their families mean the world to me. In 2023, my clients navigated pregnancies, birthed babies and thrived through the complexities of the postpartum period. They overcame challenges both physically and emotionally. They gave themselves grace when tough times arose. They trusted their instincts and leaned me and many others for help and they experienced immense growth. We all know that asking for help is hard but doing so teaches one of life's greatest lessons.


Many Mother Wit families went on to have second babies this year and they did so with an even greater sense of confidence and trust in their bodies and their abilities because of the skills learned the first time around which are never forgotten but rather, built upon. (Check out episode #52, where one of my long time clients shared her second birth and postpartum story). I LOVE that many keep me posted on how things are going and I certainly feel the love because they frequently send new families my way. Thank you all! I am forever grateful. Thank you for trusting me and the process, unique and unconventional as it may be.


And just in case you missed it, my biggest personal win was marrying this guy on January 14, 2023. (Check out episode 49 on midhusbands.)


This year, thanks to the supportive mentors I've had throughout my career, I was given the chance to flex a new muscle when was asked to join the editorial team for a popular textbook used in midwifery schools around the country. Actually, this journey started back in 2021 when we were still deep in the COVID days. I shed tears, I didn't think I could live up but my teammates held me up. I am so proud to have been part of the team that produced the 3rd ed of Prenatal and Postnatal Care: A person-centered approach which was released this fall. I also co-authored three chapters including Postpartum Physiology, Sexuality, and Physical Activity and Exercise in the Perinatal Period - A chapter that I believe may be the first of its kind in a medical text.



I also became a Fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives and won the media award for The Mother Wit Podcast and Thriving After Birth, an affordable and comprehensive online course for pregnant and postpartum families. The podcast turned two on December 19th. We’ve recorded 54 episodes on a wide array of topics. If there is something you want us to discuss, you would like to to be a guest on the show, or want to share feedback, take a moment to complete this survey.


Lastly, just as my clients have learned from others and their previous experiences, I have too, especially when it comes to running a small business and being a solopreneur. Here are my takeaways from 2023:

  • Social media isn’t a must as many marketing experts want us to believe. When word of mouth is your most useful marketing tool, put your energy back into your clients and stop wasting it on the algorithm.

  • I like doing a lot of different things. AND THAT’S OK! For much of my life, I’ve been made to feel like this is a mistake, that I need to stay more focused, centralize my energy. You know, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” As with any saying, there is some truth to this but whether it's healthcare or entrepreneurship, knowing your strengths and weaknesses is most of the battle. Building a supportive team of experts in the areas you yourself are weak or simply are not the expert... that's the rest of the battle.


Earlier this year, I shared a brief update about some health challenges I’ve been having related to a rare genetic condition called Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) (Episode #46). These challenges are here to stay so I'm learning to adjust and make space for this in my life for this. It has slowed me down, as a midwife, a coach ,and as an entrepreneur. It’s been humbling which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I am grateful to so many who have once again lifted me up and supported me and I'm stronger and wiser for it all.



So, I'm less engaged on the socials, podcasts and newsletters are sporadic, and this is why. Know that I'm still quietly plugging away, trying to improve the healthcare experience of a small number of people as they navigate the perinatal period, educating them on all the things that don't fit neatly into short visits, sharing the best available evidence on a wide range of topics, helping them stay active or return to physical activity and building up my beloved profession, midwifery.


Supporting Mother Wit



Comentários


bottom of page