Progress Over Perfection: A Journey Through Motherhood and Mental Health

In this episode of "Rated Mom," Heather, Dena, and Jessica have an honest, humorous discussion about New Year's resolutions, self-care, and mental health as women navigating motherhood and aging. They share personal stories about the challenges of goal-setting, body image, hormonal changes, and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of therapy, realistic intentions, and self-compassion. The hosts offer practical tips for meal planning and managing daily stress, encouraging listeners to embrace progress over perfection and to seek support when needed. The episode blends laughter, vulnerability, and practical advice for women in midlife.   Timestamps Resolutions: Why We Stopped (00:00:46) Discussion about giving up traditional New Year's resolutions and struggles with consistency. Small Goals & Habits (00:02:20) Emphasis on setting small, manageable goals instead of overwhelming resolutions. The "One Word" Approach (00:03:34) Sharing experiences with choosing a "word of the year" and its impact (or lack thereof). Meal Prep & Real Life Struggles (00:04:21) Anecdotes about failed meal prep attempts and the realities of busy family life. Post-Holiday Reset & Overwhelm (00:05:21) How the chaos after Christmas leads to a need for a reset, and feeling overwhelmed in January. Progress Over Perfection (00:07:03) Choosing progress and small steps over perfection and rigid goals. Aging, Body Image, and Hormones (00:08:07) Open conversation about perimenopause, body changes, and self-image in their 40s. Therapy & Mental Health Journeys (00:14:44) Personal stories about starting therapy, vulnerability, and the importance of mental health support. Marriage, Therapy, and Communication (00:17:10) How therapy and counseling helped strengthen marriages and communication. Medication, Hormones, and Advocacy (00:23:44) Experiences with hormone therapy, medication side effects, and advocating for proper medical care. Delegation & Household Management (00:33:03) The importance of delegating tasks like cleaning and laundry to reduce stress. Meal Planning & Life Hacks (00:36:00) Tips and tools for meal planning, grocery shopping, and using apps to simplify routines. Self-Care & Personal Needs (00:39:57) Discussion about self-care, therapy, and the challenges of prioritizing personal well-being. Panic Attacks & Anxiety (00:43:07) Describing experiences with panic attacks, anxiety, and the journey to understanding and managing them.   Powerful Quotes from the Episode Heather, 'I do love myself. I just don't love what I see when I look in the mirror. I'm like, where did that really hot chick go?' Dena, 'I was suicidal. Very few people know that, but there was a period where I was really suicidal in life.' Heather, 'It feels like internally I'm having a heart attack—heart palpitations, I'm going to pass out, I need to throw up, my heart's racing.' Heather, 'Even knowing it, you just can't control it.' Jessica, 'You get overwhelmed and just shut down. So, you know what? I'm not putting all these hard expectations on my life. I'm just going to make a couple small changes.'   RESOURCES: Connect With Us: https://www.ratedmom.com/ https://linktr.ee/ratedmom Dena: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YYxWExz9R/?mibextid=wwXIfr Heather: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSnFyt4Gk/?mibextid=wwXIfr Jessica: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1f3e9iKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow the Podcast: Rated Mom on Apple Podcasts and Spotify   "You don't need a new you for the new year—just a kinder way of showing up for the you that already exists."   Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.