The Misconception between Motherhood & Opportunity…

Kicking off strong with a pretttty hot topic. Here goes.
Oh, where do I even begin? Being a mamma is a wild ride—one filled with laughter, tears, and an endless to-do list that seems to multiply like rabbits. It is super rewarding and awesome but also super turbulent, a battle of mental resilience, physical capacity and limitations and so much more. But there’s one thing that consistently gets under my skin and C section scar the most and that is the assumption that once you become a mam, your dreams and ambitions must pack their bags and leave the building. It’s infuriating!

I’ve had countless conversations with fellow creative mammas, and let me tell you, we’re all on the same page. We love our little ones fiercely, but that doesn’t mean we’ve traded in our aspirations, our sense of self, for changing bags and shitty nappies. There’s a common misconception that motherhood is a one-way ticket to the land of “settling.” But let me tell you, motherhood can be an incredible launchpad for creativity and business!

For me, building my own business (Control & Move Fitness CIC, shameless plug lets go add me on insta XD! )has been a game changer. It’s not just about making a living; it’s about carving out a space where I can express myself and pursue my passions on my own terms which then allows others who work for the business to do the same. The joy of creating something from scratch, of watching it grow, is exhilarating! And guess what? Willow, my little girl, will see me hustle, teach and dance and will join me in classes when she is older for sure! She will see me working hard, chasing my dreams for my gorgeous family, and that just might inspire her to do the same one day.

I often hear people say, “Oh, you’re a mam now. You must be too busy to take on new projects.” Excuse me? Say whaaa? Busy? Hell fucking yes. But that doesn’t mean I’m not hungry for opportunities. It doesn’t mean that is it. DONE. It’s as if the moment a little one enters the picture, the world expects us to hang up our creative hats and settle into the role of the dutiful caretaker but I really truly believe with my milk filled body that motherhood can fuel our creativity! Juggling nap times and snack breaks can lead to some incredible bursts of inspiration. It makes me even more dedicated to moving our bodies in a way that works for us, for our brains and hearts and it means the time spent planning these awesome projects is so much more precious. It provides clarity and precision and timeframes, god I’ve never been able to start and finish a proposal until motherhood. Oh yeah that part of ADHD sucks by the way.

And let’s not forget the support system we build along the way. Creative mammas are like a sisterhood, rallying around each other to share tips, swap ideas, and lift one another up. We understand the struggle, the late nights spent working after the kids are asleep, and the guilt that sometimes creeps in when we’re away from our little ones. I feel this already and I am still on maternity leave, spending pretty much every waking hour with my gorgeous girl but we also know the joy of pursuing our passions and creating a life that reflects who we are.

Speaking of passions, I’m going to be working on some exciting creative projects with Mad Ramblings Dance and the gorgeous Hildy Harland as well as my own small scale project too, collaborating with a gorgeous group of dancers, local videographer and photographers. Now my lil thang, (which is something I have always wanted to do), will see the reimagination of the iconic Cell Block Tango, but with a twist: what if gender wasn’t a construct that it was originally moulded by? This exploration is not just about dance; it’s about challenging norms and pushing boundaries. It’s a thrilling experience to delve into such concepts and see how the dancers transform our original thoughts through movement,storytelling and a whole lotta gorgeous (which my team have in ABUNDANCE).

So, here’s my message to the world: don’t assume that becoming a mam means we’re no longer interested in opportunities. We are still here, still creative, and still ready to take on the world! Our dreams haven’t disappeared; they’ve merely evolved. Motherhood adds a new layer to our aspirations, enriching our creativity in ways we never imagined. Also, having us on your team as we are now, adds a whole new fucking person because we aren’t who we were before we entered that delivery ward & you’d be god damn lucky to have us.

I’m grateful every day for the chance to run my own business, for the freedom it gives me to express myself, and for the joy it brings not only to me but to my family and my staff as well. So, to all the creative mammas out there feeling the weight of societal expectations: let’s fucking rise above! Let’s continue to chase our dreams, support one another, and show the world that being a mamma doesn’t mean we’ve closed the door on opportunity—it means we’ve opened it wider than ever! If you need help doing this, or want to vent, you know where I am mamma!

Now, let’s get back to creating magic, one messy moment at a time!

C x