Under these handprints, birds and colours is my story of becoming a mother and the challenges, transformation and at times pain it brought with it.  

Labour and birthing changed me forever. It was fast, furious and shocking.

Motherhood has had such a profound experience on me. Post natal depression, rage, anxiety, regret, loneliness, lost, overwhelm, stress, burn out and exhaustion were all part of my story. So was love, joy, newness and resilience.

For 4 years I wasn’t able to move with or past my story. It was only until after our daughter was born that I gave myself the space and permission to create this ‘beauty from the ashes’ and now finally, I am at peace with my story.

Now I help women create their own beauty from the ashes.  

It comes from the concept that from the ashes we rise up in beauty, just like a phoenix. It empowers you to express and explore your inner world in order to be at peace with your conception, labour or mothering story. It can transform the past into beauty, allowing us to freely move forward into the future.

Want to try it for yourself? Here’s how.

Grab yourself some paper, cardboard, foam poster board, whatever works or feels right - usually something on a larger size as sometimes people like to display or frame their creations.

Markers, pencils, pens, paints, crayons, acrylics, water colours, crafty bits, nature elements (leaves, flowers etc.), magazines, newspaper, compass etc.

You never know what’s going to resonate as you create this piece so have a variety available to you.

Location

This is a special piece of work so choose a place that you are truly comfortable in doing it.  Allow yourself the space and time. Get some candles, put on some music, create a nurturing environment that will allow you to connect with your story in a safe and gentle way.

What’s next?

Write your story down. All the ugly bits, all the nice bits, all the bits you feel you shouldn’t, all of it. This is for you. We are honoring your story and choosing to move through it, move with it or let it go, whatever feels right for you. Forgive yourself, forgive those in your story. Cut the strings that are holding you in that time and space and choose to move forward. Express and release hurts, pains and patterns.

What’s after that?

Get creative on top of your story in whatever shape or form you see fit, with whatever materials you want to use. There is no right way or wrong way to do this. After I wrote my story on my own, I did the painting bit with my kids. Bodhi painted the left hand side and I painted the right. It felt right as he was such a major part of my story and I wanted to honor our journey together and apart in it.  

Within your creative expression you can set intentions for your future. Envision what you would like, what you want and what you need.  You can use an affirmation, poem, words from a magazine that resonate in envisioning the future and integrating your experiences or story.

My accompanying affirmation sounds like this:

I am in the flow of life. I trust how things unfold. Everything is happening as it should be.

Today I embrace the memory of my past, and feel grateful for all that life has given me.

I acknowledge that I did the best I could do at the time and now I am ready to let it go.

I relinquish control and choose to completely surrender to whatever life will unfold for me. I know that trying to be in control all the time puts a lot of pressure on me.

I clear my future road ahead for miracles and happy surprises.

Allow yourself the space and time and watch your beauty rise from the ashes and honor your journey.

You’ve got this!

Want help on your parenting journey? Follow the link to book a free call to see how we can work together: https://www.lornalambert.ie/contact