I have been quiet..very very quiet. I am a true introvert and tend to hibernate when I'm upset, going through major life changes or contemplating an important decision.
During this hibernation-it was all three.
You see, when I first started My Mama Mojo over 3 years ago I had a fire under my butt and pure passion in my heart. I was bound and determined to create a new way of thinking for moms, a place for them to vent, get support and walk away with new empowering perspectives. I was going to have phone clients from all over the world, run tons of local workshops and get into large corporations to help facilitate better work life balance strategies for moms through their EAP and HR teams.
I had grandiose plans alright.
Well... all of this happened, but on a MUCH smaller scale than what I had envisioned. I did everything I knew to do to get this business going- even to a fault, and it just didn't happen. I thought this coaching business was going supply me with enough money that I could slide out of school counseling and become a full-time life and wellness coach- specializing in the Mamas overall well being and empowerment. I have come to terms that it just isn't going to happen...
...or at least not the way I had initially thought.
At the same time I started to let go of my dream business coming to fruition, my part-time school counseling position unexpectedly went full time. I was faced with the decision to hang on to the coaching that wasn't working out so well (and change schools, again) or accept the full time job and get out of debt.
I choose responsibility.
I really do enjoy school counseling, and am especially fond of my current school, but hadn't planned to go back full time. The decision has rocked my family, my coaching plans and my future. Although as I write this I fully embrace these changes (except now I have to wake up at 5:15 to get to the gym-not loving that!)
In my heart, closing shop on My Mama Mojo just isn't an option.
One of my greatest joys is when a new client finds me and breaths a sigh of relief that they aren't the only one out there struggling, and that they have found a safe (and fun) place to get support. It is in these moments and during the coaching process, that I feel as though I have found my calling. So... I can't let go of coaching completely and will still have a few evening coaching sessions available each week. I do however have to give up the newsletters, the active Facebook page, free talks and workshops for Mom's Groups and any time consuming advertising. This is my compromise.
I just won't have the time because...
In addition to going back to work full time and having a little coaching on the side...big drum roll please.....I am going back to school! I have taken 1 of the 3 classes I need to get my counseling license for private practice in Maryland. Even though I have a MEd in counseling, I am not a licensed clinical counselor (yet). After the two remaining classes, I will have to sit for 2 exams and get 100 hours of supervision-then I can take insurance from clients!
I have learned through this three year (highly emotional) process that I absolutely LOVE working with moms who are struggling in some area of their life. Whether that struggle is maternal guilt, marital difficulty, not enjoying motherhood, stress, lack of self-care, home organization, fitness, discipline issues, lack of job fulfilment, empty-nesters or they have completely lost themselves to motherhood (like I did)...I am here to help. I truly believe my absolutely miserable several years of early motherhood was to prepare me for this very job. It is what I am meant to do.
Happy moms make happy families and this is the basis and vision for what I do.
And-I have always enjoyed working with youth in families as a school counselor for the past 15 years. So if I put my "two loves" together, I see my future counseling practice as working with youth, families, couples counseling (particularly adjusting to parenthood) -with a specialty in Postpartum Depression and anxiety. It will be a slow process since I am working full time now (and oh yeah...I still have two young kids), but I hope to be completely done in 2 1/2 years.
And did I mention...I can then accept insurance!!!!? Yippy!!!
So there it is...
- I'm going back to work full-time as a school counselor
- My Mama Mojo will exist on a very small scale with a few evening appointments
- I'm going back to school so I can start a private practice (and accept insurance)!
Hibernation always works for me!
With love and gratitude to my newsletter subscribers, blog readers, FB peeps, and most of all the many amazing and inspirational clients I have met along the way. You know where to find me if you need some some hand holding, a kick in the butt or someone to help untangle your destructive thoughts and routines.
xo
Heather
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