More Than Just a Mom: My Journey to Personal Growth

Hi there! I’m Kia, a mom of three, a wife, and a full-time employee. Life has been quite an adventure, filled with laughter, love, and a few unexpected twists and turns. I’m here to share my journey with you and hopefully offer some insights and inspiration along the way.

Motherhood: A Balancing Act

Being a mom of three has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. It’s also one of the most challenging. From sleepless nights to tantrums, parenting can be a rollercoaster of emotions. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a mom is balancing my needs with those of my children. Remembering that we can’t pour from an empty cup is important. Taking care of myself was essential for me to be able to care for my family.

My youngest son, Elijah, is autistic, which adds an extra layer of complexity to our lives. In my home, there are some moments of pure joy and others of complete chaos and frustration. I felt like a first-time parent when I had Elijah because my daughters were grown women when he was born. Starting over was an adjustment, but I’ve learned the importance of patience, love, and support through it all.

A Journey of Weight Loss

Before I had my first child, I was pretty active and maintained a decent weight. However, my diet wasn’t the best at the time, which is more than likely a contributing factor to my high blood pressure as an adult. I was always on the go, so I would eat at fast food restaurants and super-size everything.

After giving birth, I noticed a significant change in my body. I gained weight in all the wrong places and struggled to get back into shape. This struggle was due to yo-yo dieting and trying to follow the latest trends for losing weight quickly, which always worked, but I could never maintain the lifestyle after the weight was gone. I wasn’t successful in my journey until I developed a plan that incorporated a diet I could stick with and a consistent exercise routine.

Balancing Work and Family

Balancing motherhood with college and a part-time job was no easy feat. Honestly, I think I was stressed out and overwhelmed at one point. I remember crying many nights because I was just so tired, but there was always something in me that kept me going. As I stand here today, I’m amazed at how I juggled so many tasks simultaneously. Attending to a newborn with late-night feedings, studying and completing assignments, working part-time, and still trying to have some resemblance of a social life was a challenge.

Looking back, I know now that the hope of a better future for me and my family was the driving force behind everything I did during this time period of my life.

Self-Care is a Necessity, Not a Luxury

Self-care is often overlooked, but it’s essential for maintaining mental and physical health. As a mom, it can be easy to put yourself last; at least, it was for me. There were times when I knew I had completed so many tasks on a given day that I had nothing left to give, but I always got up and did whatever was needed of me. Of course, there were plenty of times I had to say, “No” I’m tired, but those times don’t compare to the times I sacrificed myself for my family’s needs.

However, I learned throughout the years that making time for yourself is important, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. Self-care can include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, spending time with friends and family, and practicing mindfulness through meditation or enjoying a quiet moment in nature. By taking care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to handle the challenges of motherhood.

Financial Planning is a Crucial Skill

Financial planning is another crucial aspect of life. As a mom, it was vital for me to have a financial plan in place to ensure my family’s financial security. In this day and age, or any day and age for that matter, you never know what unexpected expenses will arise.

There was a time when my family had to deal with a burst pipe that flooded our basement. We didn’t have the money available to fix it immediately, so we had to take out a loan with an extremely high interest rate. It took many years to pay off that loan, but we learned the importance of having an emergency fund.

Creating a budget, saving for emergencies, investing for the future, reducing debt, and seeking professional advice are all important steps in financial planning. Taking control of your finances can reduce stress and create a more secure future for yourself and your family.

Personal Growth and Development

Personal growth and development are important for everyone, regardless of age or stage of life. There are many ways to grow and develop as a person. We can grow mentally, socially, and financially; honestly, there’s room for growth in every aspect of our lives. I truly believe it could be beneficial to consistently strive to learn something new every day. Learning doesn’t have to be formal training in an educational institute; we can learn something new just from having a casual conversation with someone.

Some tips for personal growth and development include setting goals, learning new skills, reading books and articles, volunteering your time, and seeking out mentors. Sometimes, learning can be accomplished in what I like to call a “two-for-one” situation, such as listening to an audiobook while driving or exercising. By investing in our personal growth, we can become a better version of ourselves and achieve our goals.

Relationships: the Foundation of Life

Relationships are essential for our happiness and well-being. Building and maintaining strong relationships can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort.

To build and maintain healthy relationships, it’s important to communicate openly and honestly, spend quality time together, be supportive, and forgive and forget. Investing in your relationships can create a strong support system that can help you through life’s challenges. I believe having a strong support system helps shape how we navigate through life, and the way we see it.

Creating This Blog: A New Adventure

I decided to start this blog to share my experiences and offer advice to others who might be facing similar challenges. I’ve been told by many people who know me personally that I’m a strong woman. I believe everyone has this strength; some may need guidance on how to fit the pieces together to create the best flow for themselves. However, everyone can become successful, set goals and achieve them, and change the perspective of their current situation to have a better experience.  I hope this blog will be able to inspire and motivate many who are fortunate to visit my site.

Focused Expansion is a Place for Growth and Insight

I hope this blog post has given you some insights into my life and provided you with some valuable tips and advice. Remember, life is a journey, and there will be ups and downs along the way. The important thing is to keep moving forward and never give up on your dreams.

Join me on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Let’s explore life together and find new ways to focus and expand.

Please feel free to leave a comment if there’s anything you would like to contribute to this conversation. Until next time!