Motherhood is filling your cup—and draining it at the same time

Motherhood is a fuse of so many different things. There’s no wonder that it stands in its absolute complexity, in its dual nature of filling your cup, but also draining it at the same time.

Because that is just what motherhood is. It’s the constant sacrifice of self—and the constant learning of making your needs a priority.

It’s staying up long past everyone else has gone to bed just so you can get a few moments alone—but also trying to get some decent hours of sleep in preparation for your busy day tomorrow.

It’s ordering takeout in lieu of a home-cooked meal because you just don’t have the capacity to make dinner tonight. And then it’s the mental battle of figuring out what everyone will eat. 

Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion.

It’s trying to make time for your husband—yet feeling touched out and overstimulated by the day’s end.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion.

Motherhood is knowing you need to make time for yourself (at least you’re aware, right?!)—yet also knowing you need to make time for your family, friends and loved ones as well.

Related: Motherhood is holding on, and then one day letting go

It’s finally getting your teenager to open up to you—yet not being prepared to navigate their struggle with depression. 

It’s finally sending your toddler to preschool—yet the constant fear and anxiety of the dangers that exist beyond the walls of your home.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

Motherhood is knowing that you are doing everything you possibly can for your children—yet still feeling as though you’re not doing enough.

It’s being the devoted sports mom—yet bending over backward to always get everyone to practice on time.

It’s learning to parent a child with a disability—and the constant fear that the only thing everyone else will see is their “otherness.”

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

Related: To the mama who feels like she’s failing at everything

Motherhood is losing yourself, finding yourself, and then losing yourself again. 

It’s finally getting some quality time with your partner—but falling asleep minutes into the movie night you claimed you wanted to have.

It’s finally getting a moment to yourself—but having no idea how to fill the time.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

It’s an ebb and flow. 

Motherhood is the beauty when your baby finally latches—yet the pain and exhaustion behind the difficult breastfeeding journey that came before. 

It’s the coming to peace with your decision to formula feed—yet the consistent shame that you receive from others. 

It’s finally putting that load of clothes in the dryer—yet those same clothes sitting there for the next few days.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

Motherhood is the joy of watching your husband be a father—and the grief of watching your marriage become the hardest it has ever been. 

It’s coming to accept that your body will never be the same—yet still not loving your reflection.

It’s choosing to continue building your career—yet feeling guilty that you don’t have as much time with your kids.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

Motherhood is so many things.

It’s an ebb and flow. 

It’s a drifting current that changes with the seasons—sometimes easy going, and other times the raging winds before a storm.

It’s filling your cup—and draining it at the same time. Two steps forward, one step back. But always in motion. 

And oh what a motion it truly is.

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