As I write this, I’m 18 weeks pregnant and can’t believe I’m almost halfway there.  over the last 4 months, my body has changed a bit, my mood changes constantly, but what has changed the most is my ability to recognize what I need, when I need it, and advocate for myself to make it happen.  It’s like now that there’s a life growing inside me, I have a responsibility to protect my energy and my well being at any cost.

I have always been a really driven and ambitious person, to the point where I would take on so much at one time just because it was asked of me.  I’ve made a complete 180 degree turn and now I take on what I can, and am getting used to the act of saying NO to things that don’t serve me, or that may be negatively effecting my peace of mind.

I was faced with a situation one day, early in my pregnancy, where I didn’t speak up for myself.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and was prepared to let it slide.  My husband said something to me that stopped me dead in my tracks.  He asked me “what would you tell this baby to do if they were in this predicament”?  I immediately said I would tell him/her to speak up even if it’s hard to do.  So I knew what I had to do, and I did.  Although it was scary, it felt really good to advocate for myself.

It’s crazy, that less than 2 months into my pregnancy, my baby was already teaching me so much about how to live a genuine and authentic life.  It’s like the baby is a mirror that I have to face each time I’m faced with a difficult decision or situation.  The mirror keeps telling me that no matter what, I need to protect my energy, my well being, and if I find myself in a place I don’t want to be, that it’s okay to remove myself from that place for the sake of my own health.

How did your pregnancy experiences change you?