Mothering Beyond Parenting: Nurturing Your Purpose

In the second week of reflecting on mothering, the host, Heather Hester, effectively shifts the paradigm from traditional notions of motherhood to a broader understanding of nurturing as a vital component of creativity and enterprise. The episode discusses the concept of 'mothering' as a metaphor for the care we extend not only to children but also to our aspirations, projects, and the various visions we seek to manifest in the world. Heather's personal narrative regarding the inception of Chrysalis Mama serves as a poignant illustration of this theme, as she shares the tumultuous yet rewarding journey of birthing an initiative that emerged from a place of urgent necessity and deep personal conviction. The process of nurturing ideas, akin to mothering, is framed as a journey characterized by uncertainty, vulnerability, and the imperative of sustained commitment amidst challenges.
Heather poignantly depicts the emotional and psychological landscapes navigated by those who undertake the task of 'mothering' their missions. She highlights the importance of resilience in the face of obstacles such as burnout and self-doubt, while also emphasizing the necessity of cultivating a deep connection to one's vision. By inviting listeners to contemplate their roles as nurturers of their respective missions, Heather fosters a sense of community and shared experience, thereby reinforcing the notion that the act of creation is both a solitary and collective endeavor. Ultimately, the episode champions the idea that embracing the creative process with tenderness and courage is essential, encouraging individuals to reflect on how their pursuits shape their identities and the impact they have on the world.
Takeaways:
- The act of mothering encompasses nurturing not only children but also our creative endeavors and projects.
- Engaging in the process of building a business necessitates a commitment to growth and resilience.
- Mothering demands that we embrace uncertainty and discomfort while remaining dedicated to our missions.
- It is essential to nurture our initiatives with love and patience, allowing them to evolve naturally.
- One must reflect on whether they are nurturing their projects or allowing fear to dictate their actions.
- Honoring the cycles of creativity and renewal is crucial for sustaining our passionate pursuits.
Connect with Heather:
Join the Kind Space on Patreon
Give a copy of Heather's book, Parenting with Pride .
Join Heather's Substack and Mid Week Breath weekly newsletter
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Work with Heather one-on-one or bring her into your organization to speak or run a workshop!
Email: hh@chrysalismama.com
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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00:00 - Untitled
01:21 - Untitled
01:42 - Mothering as a Creative Act
02:30 - The Birth of Chrysalis Mama
03:42 - Embracing Uncertainty in Motherhood and Business
05:11 - Nurturing Growth and Creativity
05:34 - Nurturing Your Mission
06:11 - Support and Solidarity
Welcome back to More Human, More Kind.
Speaker AThis is the second episode in our Friday reflection series on mothering.
Speaker ALast week we explored the heart of mothering, its sacredness, its quiet strength, and how it shows up in all of us.
Speaker AToday we shift the lens a bit and talk about mothering as a creative act.
Speaker ANot in the traditional sense, but in the way we care for the things we build, our businesses, our ideas, our callings, how we even use phrases such as birthing into the world to describe these projects.
Speaker ABecause there is a parallel feeling of creating, of introducing something that is required and will continue to require so much work, love and care.
Speaker AWhether you're nurturing a side hustle, a classroom, a non profit or an idea still tucked inside your journal, this episode is for you.
Speaker AWhen I started Chrysalis Mama, I didn't know it would become a business, a podcast, or a movement.
Speaker AI just knew I needed to do something after our family began the journey of supporting our LGBTQ child.
Speaker AAt first, even though the feeling was one of urgency and a deep knowing in my soul, it also felt fragile.
Speaker AThere were days it didn't feel ready and certainly not polished.
Speaker ABut I kept tending to it, feeding it, loving it, picking it up and trying again when something fell flat.
Speaker AAnd like all things we mother, it began to grow slowly, then suddenly, then in directions I never anticipated.
Speaker AMothering a business or a mission requires the same kind of heart work as parenting.
Speaker AIt asks us to show up consistently, to let go of perfection, to listen deeply, to hold the vision even when no one else sees it.
Speaker AYet here's what I've learned.
Speaker AMothering something outside of ourselves means being in constant relationship with uncertainty, of sitting in discomfort.
Speaker AMore often than not, it means nourishing your mission through the seasons of burnout, creative blocks, imposter syndrome, and overwhelm.
Speaker AIt means fiercely protecting its essence while allowing it to evolve.
Speaker AAnd it means trusting that the work you're doing matters, even when it's quiet, even when the numbers don't add up, even when you're met with doubt.
Speaker AMaybe you don't call it a business.
Speaker AMaybe it's a movement you're starting, a community you're supporting, a book you're writing or a classroom you're showing up for every single day?
Speaker AWhatever it is, ask yourself, am I mothering this with care or controlling it with fear?
Speaker AAm I nurturing growth or chasing outcomes?
Speaker AAm I honoring the creative cycles of rest and renewal?
Speaker AYou don't need a business plan to call it a mission.
Speaker AYou just need to love it enough to stay in the process.
Speaker ATake a moment right now and ask yourself, what am I building?
Speaker AWhat am I creating?
Speaker AWhat am I nurturing in my life right now?
Speaker AHow am I showing up for it?
Speaker AAnd just as importantly, how is it shaping you?
Speaker ALet this be a permission slip to mother your mission tenderly, boldly, and on your own terms.
Speaker AThe world needs more nurturers of vision, more protectors of possibility.
Speaker AWhatever your mission looks like, keep tending to it with love.
Speaker AAnd if you have something that has been taking shape in your heart and soul, maybe this is your sign to birth it into the world.
Speaker AYou never know whose life it might touch or how deeply it might change.
Speaker AYours.
Speaker AUntil next time.
Speaker ARemember, you are not alone.