March 27, 2025 • 11 mins
In this fourth episode of our special 8-episode Balanced Madrehood series, I touch on another crucial challenge modern Latina moms face: reconnecting with who they are outside of motherhood.
When we become moms, our identity shifts almost overnight. Between sleep deprivation and the mental load of running a household, it's easy to lose touch with the woman you were before - the parts that had nothing to do with taking care of others. I share my personal experience of going months without engaging in activities that once defined me, like running or even reading a book uninterrupted.
In This Episode, You'll Hear:
- Why reconnecting with your passions isn't just about having fun, it's essential for your wellbeing and identity
- The common barriers that keep us from pursuing our interests
- Practical strategies for reintroducing your passions into your busy life as a mom
- How rediscovering yourself actually benefits your family by making you a more present, patient, and joyful mami
Remember, madrehood isn't meant to be an all-consuming identity that erases everything else about who you are. It's meant to be integrated into your full, complex, multifaceted life.
Resources Mentioned:
- Balanced Madrehood waitlist: vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood
Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review on Apple podcasts.
Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!
Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami
Join the Viva la Mami newsletter so you won't miss a thing!
Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE
Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com
Have questions or want to connect? Email us at podcast@vivalamami.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jessica (00:01):
Today we're continuing our special series on creating a
more balanced motherhoodexperience.
In our previous episodes, wetalked about reclaiming our time
and why self-care isn't selfish.
Well, today we're tacklingsomething that many mama
struggle with, and that isreconnecting with who you are
outside of motherhood.
(00:22):
Remember the things you used tolove doing before kids.
The hobbies, interests andpassions that made you light up
for many of us, those parts ofourselves have gotten so buried
under the endlessresponsibilities of madrehood,
but here's the thing.
Rediscovering those passionsisn't just a nice to have.
(00:43):
It's essential for yourwellbeing and identity.
And so in today's episode, we'regoing to have a quick one, but
powerful one as we explore howto find yourself again amid this
chaos of motherhood.
But before we dive in, I want toremind you that in the show
(01:04):
notes, there are two links.
One, where you can suggestdifferent topics, topics like
these or any topic that you wantme to talk about.
And I also have another link.
on proposing a guest, or if youknow of a potential guest that
could benefit in being on theshow, feel free to share their
information as well.
(01:25):
I think that it's so importantto share our stories and for
people to share their expertise.
And that way, Mama, yourmotherhood journey can be better
informed.
And that way you can create thebest version of this wonderful
And oftentimes chaotic journeyof ours.
And I also want to remind you toplease rate and review the show
(01:49):
it's so important for me toreceive feedback and what you
think of this show so that waypeople can find Viva La Mami and
that way Latina moms Don't feelin isolation as it relates to
their motherhood journey.
So don't forget to rate andreview.
If you are listening throughApple podcasts, otherwise you
(02:11):
can also rate this show onSpotify and know that I'm here
to build this community for you,for us, because it is needed.
All right, let's dive into theepisode./
Welcome to the Viva AMI podcast.
I am your host, Jessica Cuevas.
I am a mother of two on amission to help redefine the
(02:33):
meaning of Mad Hood.
As a modern Latina mom, mad hoodcan be a complex journey
interwoven in two identitiesthat often make us feel.
AMI is committed to providingyou with knowledge, tools, and
support to navigate thechallenges and triumphs of
motherhood.
As Latina moms on the show,we'll be discussing culturally
(02:57):
relevant topics that will helpinform and empower you in
whichever season you are in onyour motherhood journey.
We'll be joined by Latina moms,experts and professionals who
can offer advice, practicaltips, relatable stories, and
honest conversations.
So bring your cafecito as Iinvite you to be a part of this
(03:18):
space as we create about theexciting and challenging parts
of being a mommy.
A.
I am sure you've already experienced this, but
for me, I have definitely feltthis.
As soon as I became a mom,Something happens almost
(03:40):
overnight.
Your identity shifts andsuddenly you're not just.
You anymore.
You are someone else's mommy.
And while that new identity isbeautiful and meaningful, it can
also be all consuming.
And between the sleepdeprivation and the mental load
(04:04):
of running a household, it's soeasy to lose touch with the
woman you were before MadreHood.
The parts of you that hadnothing to do with taking care
of others and I've been thereafter having my two kids.
I went months, honestly, longerthan I'd like to admit without
(04:25):
doing many of the things thatonce defined me, like the social
activities I used to do withfriends or date nights with my
husband, or running along theLakeshore Drive in Chicago and.
Even the simple pleasures likereading a book uninterrupted,
and I noticed something.
The longer I went withoutconnecting to those parts of
(04:47):
myself, the more depleted Ifelt.
It wasn't just exhaustion fromthe demands of motherhood, it
was a deeper kind of emptinessthat came from losing touch with
my core self.
And this is something.
That I work with in our balancedMadre hood coaching program
(05:08):
because so many of the mamas whojoin our program express the
same feeling, and that is havingthe sense that somewhere along
the way they've lost themselvesand they're desperate to find
their way back.
So why is it so important toreconnect to your passions and
interests?
It's not just about having fun,although that's certainly, you
(05:30):
know, true.
It goes much deeper than that.
First of all, your passions areso important to your identity,
their expressions of who you arebeyond your roles and
responsibilities.
When you engage with activitiesthat light you up, you're
reconnecting with your authenticself.
(05:51):
Second, having interests outsideof mahood gives you perspective.
It's so easy to get lost in theday-to-day challenges of raising
children and having other areasof engagement helps you maintain
a broader view of life.
Okay.
And finally, and this is acrucial one, reconnecting with
(06:11):
your passions, refills your cup.
It gives you energy and joy thatyou can bring back to your
family.
When you're fulfilled inmultiple areas of your life,
you're a more present patientand joyful mama.
And so in our balancedmotherhood coaching program, I
help moms identify the passionsthey've lost touch with and
(06:35):
create practical strategies forbringing them back into their
lives.
Even with the constraints ofbusy schedules and limited
energy, I.
So if reconnecting with ourpassions is so beneficial, why
is it so challenging?
Well, let's talk about thebarriers that get in our way.
The most obvious barrier is timebetween work, childcare,
(06:58):
household management, andeverything else on your plate.
Finding time for your personalinterest can seem impossible.
Then there's energy, even whenyou do find a free moment.
You might be too exhausted to doanything and you just like
collapse on the couch and scrollthrough your phone.
Maybe I'm totally guilty of it.
(07:19):
And then guilt is another majorbarrier.
And especially as mamas, we feelselfish for wanting to do things
just for ourselves andespecially activities that may
take time away from ourfamilies.
And there's also this identityconfusion.
After spending so much time inmom mode, you might not even
(07:40):
remember what you used to enjoyor there's probably things that
might no longer resonate withyou anymore.
These barriers are real andthey're challenging, but in
balanced motherhood, we willwork through each of these
obstacles with practicalstrategies tailored to your
specific situation.
(08:01):
And so let's talk aboutpractical strategies to start
with in recreating andreconnecting your passions.
Well assess which of thosepassions might fit in your
current season of life.
Some might need to be modifiedor scaled down, and that's okay.
For example, if you used to loveweekend long hiking trips, maybe
(08:23):
you start with short naturewalks.
If you were passionate aboutpainting, perhaps you begin with
small sketching, involve yourfamily when possible.
Some passions can be adapted toinclude your children, which
eliminates the either ordilemma.
If you love cooking, involveyour kids in age appropriate
kitchen tasks, and if music isyour passion, have your family
(08:47):
dance parties or jam sessions.
And then look for communityresources that support your
interests.
Many libraries, communitycenters and online platforms
offer resources that can helpyou engage with your passions,
often with childcare options orin family friendly formats.
And then finally be patient andflexible.
(09:10):
Your relationship with yourpassions may evolve as you move
through different seasons ofparenthood.
The goal isn't to recreate yourpre motherhood life exactly as
it was, but to find new ways tohonor and express the core parts
of who you are.
And so as we wrap up today'sepisode, I wanna remind you that
(09:31):
madrehood is not meant to be anall consuming identity that
erases everything else about whoyou are.
It's meant to be integrated intoyour full, complex, multifaceted
life.
By reconnecting your passions,you're not taking anything away
from your family.
(09:51):
You're actually giving them the.
Gift of a mother who isfulfilled, inspired, and
authentic.
If today's episode resonatedwith you, and you are ready to
make full reclaim of youridentity, beyond hood.
I invite you to join the waitlist to balance motherhood.
This three month coachingprogram is especially designed
(10:13):
for Latina moms who want tocreate a motherhood experience
that honors all parts of whothey are.
And so let's work together torediscover your passions.
Create practical strategies ofincorporating them into your
life and build a supportivecommunity of like-minded mamas
who understand your uniquechallenges.
(10:33):
To join the wait list, visitviva la.com/balanced madre hood.
That is balanced with a D at theend Madre Hood.
And you'll be the first to knowwhen doors open for enrollment.
In next week's episode, we'regoing to explore how to set
boundaries with your familia,another crucial step in creating
(10:54):
a more balanced motherhoodexperience.
All right, mama.
I promised that this was a shortepisode.
I hope this was a good one, IMOon the next episode.
Thank you so much for taking thetime outta your busy schedule to
listen to the Viva AMI podcast.
If you enjoyed today's episode,will you do me a favor and
(11:15):
follow the podcast and leave arating and review?
Hitting that follow button andreviewing my show will allow
other mommies like you find thispodcast.
Your review will also tell me ifyou enjoy the show.
So I would truly appreciate yourthoughts.
Don't forget, please share thispodcast, tus Amiga.
Also make sure to follow me atviva ami on Instagram or visit
(11:39):
viva ami.com.
Please note the informationshared in this podcast is for
educational purposes only andshould not be taken as
professional advice.
Okay.
Thank you for joining INS in thenext episode.
Today we're continuing our special series on creating a
more balanced motherhoodexperience.
In our previous episodes, wetalked about reclaiming our time
and why self-care isn't selfish.
Well, today we're tacklingsomething that many mama
struggle with, and that isreconnecting with who you are
outside of motherhood.
(00:22):
Remember the things you used tolove doing before kids.
The hobbies, interests andpassions that made you light up
for many of us, those parts ofourselves have gotten so buried
under the endlessresponsibilities of madrehood,
but here's the thing.
Rediscovering those passionsisn't just a nice to have.
(00:43):
It's essential for yourwellbeing and identity.
And so in today's episode, we'regoing to have a quick one, but
powerful one as we explore howto find yourself again amid this
chaos of motherhood.
But before we dive in, I want toremind you that in the show
(01:04):
notes, there are two links.
One, where you can suggestdifferent topics, topics like
these or any topic that you wantme to talk about.
And I also have another link.
on proposing a guest, or if youknow of a potential guest that
could benefit in being on theshow, feel free to share their
information as well.
(01:25):
I think that it's so importantto share our stories and for
people to share their expertise.
And that way, Mama, yourmotherhood journey can be better
informed.
And that way you can create thebest version of this wonderful
And oftentimes chaotic journeyof ours.
And I also want to remind you toplease rate and review the show
(01:49):
it's so important for me toreceive feedback and what you
think of this show so that waypeople can find Viva La Mami and
that way Latina moms Don't feelin isolation as it relates to
their motherhood journey.
So don't forget to rate andreview.
If you are listening throughApple podcasts, otherwise you
(02:11):
can also rate this show onSpotify and know that I'm here
to build this community for you,for us, because it is needed.
All right, let's dive into theepisode./
Welcome to the Viva AMI podcast.
I am your host, Jessica Cuevas.
I am a mother of two on amission to help redefine the
(02:33):
meaning of Mad Hood.
As a modern Latina mom, mad hoodcan be a complex journey
interwoven in two identitiesthat often make us feel.
AMI is committed to providingyou with knowledge, tools, and
support to navigate thechallenges and triumphs of
motherhood.
As Latina moms on the show,we'll be discussing culturally
(02:57):
relevant topics that will helpinform and empower you in
whichever season you are in onyour motherhood journey.
We'll be joined by Latina moms,experts and professionals who
can offer advice, practicaltips, relatable stories, and
honest conversations.
So bring your cafecito as Iinvite you to be a part of this
(03:18):
space as we create about theexciting and challenging parts
of being a mommy.
A.
I am sure you've already experienced this, but
for me, I have definitely feltthis.
As soon as I became a mom,Something happens almost
(03:40):
overnight.
Your identity shifts andsuddenly you're not just.
You anymore.
You are someone else's mommy.
And while that new identity isbeautiful and meaningful, it can
also be all consuming.
And between the sleepdeprivation and the mental load
(04:04):
of running a household, it's soeasy to lose touch with the
woman you were before MadreHood.
The parts of you that hadnothing to do with taking care
of others and I've been thereafter having my two kids.
I went months, honestly, longerthan I'd like to admit without
(04:25):
doing many of the things thatonce defined me, like the social
activities I used to do withfriends or date nights with my
husband, or running along theLakeshore Drive in Chicago and.
Even the simple pleasures likereading a book uninterrupted,
and I noticed something.
The longer I went withoutconnecting to those parts of
(04:47):
myself, the more depleted Ifelt.
It wasn't just exhaustion fromthe demands of motherhood, it
was a deeper kind of emptinessthat came from losing touch with
my core self.
And this is something.
That I work with in our balancedMadre hood coaching program
(05:08):
because so many of the mamas whojoin our program express the
same feeling, and that is havingthe sense that somewhere along
the way they've lost themselvesand they're desperate to find
their way back.
So why is it so important toreconnect to your passions and
interests?
It's not just about having fun,although that's certainly, you
(05:30):
know, true.
It goes much deeper than that.
First of all, your passions areso important to your identity,
their expressions of who you arebeyond your roles and
responsibilities.
When you engage with activitiesthat light you up, you're
reconnecting with your authenticself.
(05:51):
Second, having interests outsideof mahood gives you perspective.
It's so easy to get lost in theday-to-day challenges of raising
children and having other areasof engagement helps you maintain
a broader view of life.
Okay.
And finally, and this is acrucial one, reconnecting with
(06:11):
your passions, refills your cup.
It gives you energy and joy thatyou can bring back to your
family.
When you're fulfilled inmultiple areas of your life,
you're a more present patientand joyful mama.
And so in our balancedmotherhood coaching program, I
help moms identify the passionsthey've lost touch with and
(06:35):
create practical strategies forbringing them back into their
lives.
Even with the constraints ofbusy schedules and limited
energy, I.
So if reconnecting with ourpassions is so beneficial, why
is it so challenging?
Well, let's talk about thebarriers that get in our way.
The most obvious barrier is timebetween work, childcare,
(06:58):
household management, andeverything else on your plate.
Finding time for your personalinterest can seem impossible.
Then there's energy, even whenyou do find a free moment.
You might be too exhausted to doanything and you just like
collapse on the couch and scrollthrough your phone.
Maybe I'm totally guilty of it.
(07:19):
And then guilt is another majorbarrier.
And especially as mamas, we feelselfish for wanting to do things
just for ourselves andespecially activities that may
take time away from ourfamilies.
And there's also this identityconfusion.
After spending so much time inmom mode, you might not even
(07:40):
remember what you used to enjoyor there's probably things that
might no longer resonate withyou anymore.
These barriers are real andthey're challenging, but in
balanced motherhood, we willwork through each of these
obstacles with practicalstrategies tailored to your
specific situation.
(08:01):
And so let's talk aboutpractical strategies to start
with in recreating andreconnecting your passions.
Well assess which of thosepassions might fit in your
current season of life.
Some might need to be modifiedor scaled down, and that's okay.
For example, if you used to loveweekend long hiking trips, maybe
(08:23):
you start with short naturewalks.
If you were passionate aboutpainting, perhaps you begin with
small sketching, involve yourfamily when possible.
Some passions can be adapted toinclude your children, which
eliminates the either ordilemma.
If you love cooking, involveyour kids in age appropriate
kitchen tasks, and if music isyour passion, have your family
(08:47):
dance parties or jam sessions.
And then look for communityresources that support your
interests.
Many libraries, communitycenters and online platforms
offer resources that can helpyou engage with your passions,
often with childcare options orin family friendly formats.
And then finally be patient andflexible.
(09:10):
Your relationship with yourpassions may evolve as you move
through different seasons ofparenthood.
The goal isn't to recreate yourpre motherhood life exactly as
it was, but to find new ways tohonor and express the core parts
of who you are.
And so as we wrap up today'sepisode, I wanna remind you that
(09:31):
madrehood is not meant to be anall consuming identity that
erases everything else about whoyou are.
It's meant to be integrated intoyour full, complex, multifaceted
life.
By reconnecting your passions,you're not taking anything away
from your family.
(09:51):
You're actually giving them the.
Gift of a mother who isfulfilled, inspired, and
authentic.
If today's episode resonatedwith you, and you are ready to
make full reclaim of youridentity, beyond hood.
I invite you to join the waitlist to balance motherhood.
This three month coachingprogram is especially designed
(10:13):
for Latina moms who want tocreate a motherhood experience
that honors all parts of whothey are.
And so let's work together torediscover your passions.
Create practical strategies ofincorporating them into your
life and build a supportivecommunity of like-minded mamas
who understand your uniquechallenges.
(10:33):
To join the wait list, visitviva la.com/balanced madre hood.
That is balanced with a D at theend Madre Hood.
And you'll be the first to knowwhen doors open for enrollment.
In next week's episode, we'regoing to explore how to set
boundaries with your familia,another crucial step in creating
(10:54):
a more balanced motherhoodexperience.
All right, mama.
I promised that this was a shortepisode.
I hope this was a good one, IMOon the next episode.
Thank you so much for taking thetime outta your busy schedule to
listen to the Viva AMI podcast.
If you enjoyed today's episode,will you do me a favor and
(11:15):
follow the podcast and leave arating and review?
Hitting that follow button andreviewing my show will allow
other mommies like you find thispodcast.
Your review will also tell me ifyou enjoy the show.
So I would truly appreciate yourthoughts.
Don't forget, please share thispodcast, tus Amiga.
Also make sure to follow me atviva ami on Instagram or visit
(11:39):
viva ami.com.
Please note the informationshared in this podcast is for
educational purposes only andshould not be taken as
professional advice.
Okay.
Thank you for joining INS in thenext episode.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.