‘Baby-brain’ hits most of us, either when we are pregnant or after the arrival o our little bundle. A lot of the time it can be laughed off or forgotten about. Some new mums struggle, though. Baby brain can weigh heavily on you, and leave you feeling… not quite yourself.
What is going on in my head?
Do we have any plans for the week?
What food do I need to prepare for tomorrow?
Are there any clothes ready for the morning?
Am I prepared for night feeds?
And breathe… I can sit down to relax.
Oh no! I forgot! I need to eat!
Sound familiar? The life of new parents!
Why is it like this?
I don’t know about you but I just cannot think straight. My head is like cotton wool all of the time. People did warn me about baby brain but I think I underestimated it. I’m not even sure there is much of a brain in there… it’s most definitely shrivelled a bit. Concentration is a thing of the past. Long gone are the days I could recall information. I’m pretty sure that when people have conversations with me that my eyes are glazed over and I just smile and nod in agreement. At work I ask questions constantly because I can’t remember what the new systems are. I don’t know how long I can get away with “Oh it’s just that I’ve been on maternity leave and I’m trying to get settled back in.”
It really is baby brain!
The thing is I really want to be able to sit and chat about things the way I did but all I can think about is my daughter – I guess that’s why they call it baby brain! I have a one track mind now. I worry that I seem uninterested in other people and that I’m not a good listener anymore. It’s not that I don’t want to know what other people are up to, or that I don’t care, it’s more that I can’t stop thinking about my day ahead, my daughter’s day ahead. I’ll admit I’m not the most organised of people and this is probably why I am trying to plan things constantly because I’ve only made myself stressed out when I’ve not thought things through very well in the past.
It’s as though the part of my brain that is still functioning is trying so hard to get on top of things that there’s no room in my head to think about anything or anyone else. When I try to enter into a discussion I end up talking about myself and my family because that’s all I know about at the moment. I feel that I’ve become selfish. I’m so eager to have adult conversations with people but I have no idea what to talk about. Love Island anyone? I watched about 3 episodes but I know people at work loved it so it’s a possible topic… maybe? How about The Twirlywoos, now that’s a TV show I can talk to you about. I know you know all the theme songs too!
Perhaps it is the same for you…
I worry a lot about how people may be perceiving me right now. I am still Charlie though. Maybe I don’t currently have the interest in, or more importantly, the time to do the things I once did and I may have disappeared into the background a bit but I will overcome this baby brain and find myself again! When you talk to me I hope you still find me interesting, just bear with me, I’m just getting used to my new role; I’m finding my feet. I’m juggling. I don’t have the hobbies and interests that I once had that maybe made me a bit more interesting to talk to.
My conversations are about my daughter, this is my new life. My role at the moment is “Mumma.” I am the entertainer, the cleaner, the chef, the comforter, the launderer, the driver… Is it any surprise that I can’t concentrate? That I’m constantly tired? All those parents out there balancing their different roles with ease, or at least showing it, I’m envious! You’re doing such an incredible job.
I’m still learning, perhaps it gets easier. Time will tell, but for now I’m planning for tomorrow… oh and cooking my dinner!
This blog is my journey to find my new self. I hope it can help you too if you feel a bit lost. Maybe we can explore some new adventures together.
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Talya Stone
I can totally relate to this. I remember feeling like this for a good 2-3 year after becoming a mum….now almost five years down the l can firmly say I have found myself again….probably after the 4th year but it definitely took some a good chunk to get there…I'm looking forward to following your journey to finding your new self again…which is really why I started my own blog back in the day. Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this xoxo
Sarah Barber
Thanks for commenting Talya!