MOTHERING AND CARING.

A Loss of Confidence. 

It can erode slowly evaporating over time, ones confidence after the arrival of children. It can feel excruciating. All external features of knowing and believing who we are can become reorganised after we become mothers and carers. The days and nights of meeting needs, societal and self expectations, and our own changing and at times inner volatile landscape and the unpredictabilty can create at times a feeling of unyielding pressure, that leaves cracks within us. These cracks can challenge our feelings of self belief, of confidence and esteem.

Mothering and caring is a daily encounter with the imperfections of life, a continual cycle of growth and learning, of making mistakes, stumbling, falling and the attempts to right ourselves again. But our confidence can so frequently be tied to the flimsy fragility of perfection. Illusive. Caring, can ask of us to develop a robustness deeper than one lodged upon the ideals of perfection. Caring challenges us to be real, to accept and honour our mistakes. A loss of confidence, though painful, may actually be an opportunity to discover something more expansive, an inner and untangible resource that lies within the wells of the body. What we may not need is confidence at all, just a willingness to try.

2. Feb.2025.

References and Further Reading.

CS Dweck · 2006 ·Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House. London.

Image Kim Verdebo.