What I miss the most...

One of the biggest struggles I’ve had since becoming a mom? ZERO rot days.

📱 Endlessly doom scroll? Gone.
💭 Just lay there and sit in my thoughts? Nope.
👀 Literally do whatever the fuck I want with my day? Absolutely not.

Why did no one tell me?! (Totally kidding, but also…not really.)

I miss those slow, unstructured days in a way I never expected. The ones where you wake up with no agenda, no responsibilities, no tiny human depending on you. Just a full day of vibes. I wish I had cherished them more. I wish I had realized that it was completely okay to chill the fuck out back then because soon enough, my life would be ruled by a tiny, adorable little bean.

Now, there’s always a task waiting, always something to clean, always a mental to-do list running in the background. And even in the rare moments of stillness, my brain doesn’t really let me rot the way it used to. It’s truly wild how much our brains alter throughout pregnancy and beyond.

This may sound like a complaint… and maybe it is. But it’s also an honor. The highest honor.

Because as much as I miss those days of doing absolutely nothing, I wouldn’t trade this for the world. The tiny hands reaching for me, the sleepy snuggles, the smiles that make every sleepless night worth it. I know this season will pass too, and maybe one day, I’ll even miss this chaos.

But if you’re pre-kids, let me be the one to tell you:
Enjoy your rot days. Cherish them. Luxuriate in them. Because one day, you’ll think back and realize they were a gift. Not trying to sound like that mom. 🙄

And if you’re in the trenches of motherhood with me?😵‍💫
Here’s your permission slip: If you ever get the chance, rot. Even if it’s just for five minutes. 

🌀 Busy mom life? I get it, listen to the newsletter here.

Rotting is fun but making it a game is even more fun! Enjoy this BINGO designed just for you to chill tf out.

💖 Loving: The art of micro-breaks. No, you might not get a full rot day, but a few minutes of lying on the floor while your kid plays? Bliss.

🙉 Listening: To the wind blow while lounging outside on a cute picnic blanket with the little one (or, if you're stuck inside, just crack a window and let the fresh air in).

🪞 Noticing: Comfy, cozy clothes are giving me life while I lounge on the couch.

🛋️ Watching: Full weekend of rotting while battling a cold and binge-watched Severance.

🖌️ Creating: Time for myself with a simple face mask and zero guilt, just 20 minutes of pure, uninterrupted me-time.

📚 Reading: How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis because sometimes, the dishes really can wait.

🌿 Moving: A gentle stretch while laying on the floor (bonus: finally put that dusty pregnancy ball to use).

✨ Pick one (or a few) from this list and make it happen this week. Rotting, but with intention PLUS you get to mark it off on your BINGO card. 😉

Motherhood changes everything, but you still deserve rest, even in the tiniest moments. And if today feels like too much, know that you’re not alone. We’re in this together. 💛

🌀 What do you find yourself missing the most about pre-motherhood? Hit reply, I can’t wait to hear from you!

Cheers,
Ari
Your fellow mom who gets it