Have You Been Feeling Stuck in Your Relationships?
Have you been considering all your relationships and wondering why they no longer serve you? People aren’t putting in what you contribute to the relationship. It feels one-sided, and no matter how much you try to communicate, your needs just aren’t being met. Doesn’t it seem like people you’ve known for years don’t value the same things you do? This was me. I thought I was losing it. So, I created the S.T.E.P Framework so you don’t have to go through what I experienced. (We will get to this Framework…later.)
Motherhood Changed Everything
I was six months postpartum, and three key relationships were falling apart right in front of me. I had to take a long, hard look in the mirror to understand what was happening. Why was it harder for me to connect with people? Why did it no longer matter to me if people didn’t like me?
Becoming a mom changed me in ways I could have never imagined. Things I valued before didn’t matter anymore, and I was learning to accept that. The crazy thing was that the people around me were also adjusting to this new version of me. When a woman is pregnant or going through postpartum, we don’t forget how people treated us during this time.
The support system I thought I had was truly lackluster, but that was partly because of what I allowed in certain relationships. While I was navigating the anxiety of being a new mom, other issues were surfacing in my life.
The Cost of Misaligned Boundaries
I quickly realized that my boundaries were non-existent. I was being passive in my relationships, avoiding voicing how I felt—and that came at a significant cost to my identity and sense of self.
Motherhood gave me an edge I didn’t have before, and I have my daughter to thank for that. I started asking myself, “If this situation were reversed, how would I teach her to respond? What example should I be setting for her?” I was looking at my six-month-old, knowing she wouldn’t need these life lessons anytime soon, but I felt an urgent need to start leading by example.
Redefining Myself and My Relationships
As I began to define the type of mother I wanted to be, I was forced to do some inner work on myself. We all need a little redefining, whether it’s within ourselves or in our relationships with those around us. For me, it was both. If you’re working on personal growth while juggling motherhood, check out this post on lessons motherhood teaches us about growth and grace.
This journey led to the creation of the S.T.E.P Framework. It combines all the elements a mom needs—whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned one. By embracing the principles of this framework, you’ll be able to:
- Transition your relationships.
- Enhance your structure to thrive in all your roles.
- Empower yourself to stand in your power.
- Prepare for everything that’s to come on your journey.
Why Relationships Struggle
Change is the only constant in life, yet we fight it. Relationships are supposed to change. They’re meant to shift as we shift. But when we avoid communicating the inner things we’re dealing with, our relationships can stagnate
These unspoken shifts create an imbalance—goals and priorities begin to misalign because we haven’t been forthcoming about where we are and what we need. Not telling people where you stand or what you need isn’t just miscommunication; it’s also a lack of boundaries.
The Power of Boundaries
Boundaries, in my definition, are teaching people HOW to treat you. They aren’t selfish; they’re necessary. Boundaries allow you to put yourself first and be intentional about the company you keep.
Naturally, moms—and women in general—struggle to put ourselves first. When you’re a caregiver in almost all your relationships, it’s easy to let your needs fall to the bottom of the list. But not putting yourself first is a recipe for burnout and misaligned relationships.
Taking the necessary S.T.E.P’s will help you realign, regain balance, and feel more in control.
From Survival Mode to Living Fully
The most important thing to remember is structure. You need it, especially when you’re juggling multiple roles. When you’re intentional, you can be present, and when you’re present, you can connect. Too often, we’re not present.
Being a mom sometimes feels like systematically becoming a robot—checking things off to-do lists, setting appointments, filling up the calendar, and maintaining endless chores.
In the natural order of things, we often jump into an unattainable routine that pushes us deeper into survival mode. My friend, you’ve been surviving for so long—it’s time for you to start living.
It’s Time to Take the First Step
Looking back, redefining my relationships wasn’t just about setting boundaries—it was about stepping into the woman I was destined to be. Motherhood may have been the catalyst, but the journey has been so much more than that. It’s been about creating clarity, embracing change, and building connections that truly serve me.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by all the roles you’re juggling, I want you to know this: you have the power to shift. Change begins with one intentional step—choosing yourself and deciding to redefine what truly matters.
I know it’s not easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I created a tool to help you take that first step—the S.T.E.P Relationship Reflection Guide. Download it now and start the journey of realigning your relationships and reclaiming your power.
Here’s the truth: your relationships don’t define you—you define them. And it all starts today.