Have you ever wondered why, despite our best efforts, the quest for perfection often leads us away from living a truly fulfilling life?   In this episode, Brooke Jean explores the challenging dynamics of modern motherhood under societal pressures to be perfect. She highlights how these unrealistic expectations have historically evolved, placing undue stress on women in parenting, professional, and personal lives. She discusses 3 key ways how women can embrace the power of unperfecting, love themselves more, and make a greater impact in the world. It starts with identifying and questioning our 'shoulds'—those things we think we have to do to be perfect—and asks if they match the life we want to live. She also emphasizes the need to guard our time, energy, and sanity, choosing to do things that mean a lot to us and light us up. Finally, she advocates for normalizing imperfection and having honest conversations to help mothers feel less isolated in their struggles, fostering a more realistic and healthy perspective on motherhood.   Tune in to this week's episode of the Unperfected Pod if you're intrigued by the idea of redefining perfection and reclaiming your authentic self. Discover how to navigate life's challenges with grace, intention, and a renewed sense of purpose. [00:00 - 03:35] Introduction Brooke Jean talks about her workshop for anxious, perfectionistic, busy, working mamas She opens up about her experience with her second child and her struggle with postpartum depression [03:36 - 07:06] The Modern Mom Phenomenon Modern mothers face expanding roles, juggling traditional caregiving and household duties with full-time careers and the pressure to excel in both The portrayal of idealized lives on social media, combined with an overload of conflicting parenting and lifestyle information, heightens the pressure on mothers to achieve perfection The growing demands and unrealistic expectations placed on mothers contribute to a rise in mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders   [07:07 - 26:22] Unperfecting Tip #1: Follow Your Shoulds From a young age, people develop beliefs about what it means to be a good person, especially mothers, based on societal norms and personal experiences It's important to realize that the belief a 'good mom' can handle everything perfectly is unrealistic and needs reevaluation To change our mindset, we need to critically examine the 'shoulds' in our lives, questioning if they truly reflect our personal values and realities Understanding that the brain can change (neuroplasticity) allows us to replace old, unhelpful beliefs with new, healthier ones through consistent effort Recognizing that we are doing enough and are good as we are can help us feel more relaxed and comfortable in our own bodies   [26:23 - 47:08] Unperfecting Tip #2: Claim Your Time, Energy, and Sanity Time Identify the most important tasks (your "big potatoes") that align with your core values and goals, and prioritize them in your schedule Use a calendar or planner to ensure these key activities and self-care practices are given priority and protected fiercely Be mindful of where you're spending time, focusing on activities that move you towards your life's vision instead of just keeping busy. Energy Start your day with a morning ritual that energizes you, like meditation, journaling, or a healthy drink, avoiding immediate exposure to stressors like news or social media Establish 'charging stations' throughout the day for rest and rejuvenation, such as short breaks, walks, or moments of relaxation Recognize your peak energy times and schedule your most important tasks during these periods for maximum productivity and alignment. Sanity Manage stress by completing your stress cycle daily through activities like walking, which discharges accumulated emotional and hormonal stress Engage in practices like crying, meditation, breathwork, sleep, and positive social interactions to help maintain mental balance Avoid suppressing emotions and acknowledge your feelings to prevent overwhelm and maintain a healthy mental state   [47:09 - 51:21] Unperfecting Tip #3: Normalizing Normal Understand that everyone, especially mothers, faces challenges and struggles, and no one is living a perfect life Joining a community of supportive individuals where you can openly share your experiences helps in removing shame and fostering mutual support Being part of a community that acknowledges and shares real-life struggles empowers individuals to feel okay about their own challenges, leading to healthier coping and problem-solving Watch out for the launch of their mental health membership in January 2024! Visit their website and follow them using the links below for updates   [51:22 - 55:56] Closing Segment By shedding unrealistic expectations ("shoulds"), we can reconnect with our true selves and create a more authentic, fulfilling life Choosing to focus on what truly matters allows for a greater impact in personal and professional life, leading to a more content and balanced existence Tweetable Quotes:   "These core beliefs, it's really important that we get clear on what they are because they're driving the bus of your life. And they're either helping you feel good and do good in the world, or they're helping you feel bad, which makes it really hard to do good in the world. "  – Brooke Jean   "There is always time for what matters most. The key is not everything matters. You've just been taught that it should, right?." – Brooke Jean    "I'll tell you how much better life has gotten when I stopped doing what the world told me I was supposed to do and started getting really clear on what actually mattered most: The world opened up, and that is also my hope for you, my love."  – Brooke Jean You can connect with Brooke Jean through her: Website: Brooke Jean LLC Facebook: Brooke Jean LinkedIn: Brooke Jean Twitter: Brooke Jean Instagram: @brookejeanunperfected LEAVE A REVIEW Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookejeanunperfected/ Facebook private group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MLALTL Website: https://www.brookejeanllc.com/ Join us!  The Unperfected Mama Group Program  here: https://www.brookejeanllc.com/group-coaching   Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Kit: www.BrookeJeanLLC.com  

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