As a mother, have you forgotten how to truly relax? Time flies by in a blur of family, work, and endless to-dos. Sound familiar?
We strive to cherish our kids, partners, nutritious meals, and moments of exercise. Evenings find us on the couch with laptops, juggling news, home schedules, work agendas, and time for mom, sisters, and friends. Check. But where do you fit in? It's time to rediscover relaxation.
Two weeks ago, I spoke with Olga Nieuwenhuizen, a vitality trainer and coach at Mama Vol Energie, whom I hadn't met before. Our 45-minute call sparked instant connection—especially around neglecting ourselves. She inspired me to prioritize my 'me time,' and I hope she does the same for you.
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"How often do you block out time for yourself—like a real nap, without mentally ticking off your to-do list? Or recapturing that carefree fun from your younger days?"
Olga Nieuwenhuizen, vitality trainer and coach at Mama Vol Energie—and mother of two daughters, ages 5 and 8—observes: "Many moms thrive when everything at home and work is meticulously organized, just like I do. But if one thing slips..."
"In my workshops, when I ask, 'Is parenting as you imagined?' or 'What grade would you give your work-life balance?' the responses are often underwhelming, sometimes tearful."
"Because... where do you end up?"
You've likely felt it: more rest leads to feeling calmer, more energetic at work, greater enjoyment, and pride in your accomplishments. You spot opportunities—like that glass of wine with a friend—faster, building resilience and mental space.
So why do we women grant ourselves so little room to unwind?
Olga explains: "It's the constant juggling: mindful parenting, happy kids, career growth, challenges, and social life—all aiming for perfection in 24 hours. The bar is sky-high and unattainable, so relaxation feels 'delayed' until everything's done... which it never is." Learning to relax is key—you've simply forgotten how.
"That's how it was for me until 2013. Amid ambitions and a hectic life with young kids, sleep deprivation (our youngest barely slept for four years) meant I couldn't keep up. Balls dropped daily; I felt like a failure, not the mom I envisioned."
"I realized: sometimes you just can't push harder. No quick fix. I learned to pause, prioritize, and accept. That peace let me move mountains again. And that's how my mission began: empowering ambitious moms with sustainable work-life balance and 'me time' to stay energized and joyful. I see this struggle in countless moms—and dads too."
"Personal effectiveness saved me, tailored to what works for you. Everyone has unique talents—discover yours. Experiment with what recharges you. It ties directly to relaxation. Through candid talks with moms, mindfulness, and time management, I gained control and clarity for my mission."
"I created the 'Vol Energie: At Home and Work' vitality workshop (or one-on-one coaching) for ambitious moms. It's practical: awareness exercises, brain science, behavior insights, inspiration, and group sharing (max 10 like-minded moms). Participants craft personalized Vitality Plans around relaxation, acceptance, prioritization, and focus."
Relaxation and smart prioritization form the bedrock of balance and vitality. Start by scheduling 'you' time first. Unplug, silence the mental to-do list, embrace doing nothing. Treat yourself as importantly as your family—it yields an energetic, resilient mom.
Smart companies now prioritize this via coaching, workshops, flexible hours, sports, and health budgets—not just for seniors. Vital, since 1 in 7 employees faces burnout risks, especially moms. Energized parents excel at work, home, set boundaries, and act proactively by honoring their bodies and passions.
In sharing my journey openly, I've unlocked energy across life. Now, I fuel my mission: helping moms (and others) thrive amid chaos by rediscovering relaxation, embracing parenthood, and living vibrantly. It begins with 'me time' aligned to your strengths. Will you make space for it?
For true downtime, I head to Blooming Hotel in Bergen (NH). This sparked my inspiration weekends for moms (April 8-9 and June 24-25), alongside workshops and coaching.
The stunning dunes and serene hotel sharpen senses, foster awareness, and support personal balance work in small groups (max 10). Interested?
Struggling to carve out real relaxation? I hope Olga's insights resonate. Share your tips below—we'd love to hear them!
Image via Shutterstock
