Momhood with Scout
How has your idea of rest or comfort shifted since becoming a mom?
Motherhood has forced me to slow down in such an incredible way. By nature I’m someone who derives a lot of my self worth from productivity, and motherhood has taught me to shift my perspective of what it means to have a worthwhile day. Early on I would get to bedtime and feel like I did absolutely nothing all day—I’ve since learned to reframe that and acknowledge that feeding my baby, snuggling my baby, or playing with my baby, are all valuable pursuits that might not feel “productive” in the same way, but are ultimately so beautiful and important. Also, I’ve learned you cannot rush a baby, so my days have slowed down wonderfully. Lastly, “sleep when the baby sleeps” is objectively annoying advice, since it’s your only time to get anything done in a day, but in the last few months I’ve actually embraced that and my new favourite part of the day is snuggling up with my son and having one nap together. I’m leaning into the fact that I’m a better mom (and human) when I’m more rested, and trying to prioritize that throughout my day as much as I can.
What does a quiet moment look like for you in this season of motherhood?
Right now, 9 to 11 pm has become my only guaranteed “me time” in a day. My baby’s nap schedule is still unpredictable enough that those moments during the day are more of a mad dash to get things done before he wakes up again. Late evening has become a very sacred time for me, when baby is sleeping (and typically so is my husband), and I can catch up on the things I’m not currently able to prioritize in my day—sometimes it’s messages from friends and family or content creation, sometimes it’s something creative like painting, or reading a book, and sometimes it’s just curling up with a show and decompressing.
What’s something that unexpectedly brings you comfort now?
Kind of building on my earlier comment, but the late evening. I used to find it this hurried, isolating time—where if I was up it was because I had to be: there was something I hadn’t finished yet, or I was revenge procrastinating, or binge-watching something when I should be sleeping. Now it feels like this cozy time just for me. Curling up with a tea, or a wine, and a good blanket helps ;)
Is there a daily ritual or small routine that helps you feel grounded?
This is actually something that has stayed the same from my pre-motherhood days, but a walk outside. I truly believe there’s not much that a 5k walk can’t solve, and I’ve loved adding my baby into that routine—throwing him in the carrier and getting out on my little walk is an essential part of the day, and the days I miss it I really feel it.
When do you find yourself reaching for a blanket, and what does that moment feel like?
In the morning, with my coffee and my journal or a book (I’m trying to read a bit of a parenting book every morning), curled up in my favourite vintage chair while my baby plays on his mat beside me. It feels unhurried—there’s a whole day ahead of us, and nowhere we have to be right this moment except where we are with a hot coffee, time to reflect and practice some gratitude, and some toys to roll around with!
Words by Scout Stevens
Photographed in her home in Salzburg, Austria
