This month’s email is shorter than the previous ones.
Is it because I’m failing? Nope.
Am I embarrassed? Nope.
Is it because I’m in my third trimester and my whole vibe is slowing down and getting nesty and strategically minimizing the number of times I have to go up and down the stairs? YEP!
It’s been a great month and like I’ve said in the past with these monthly updates (which you seem to really enjoy too) I find them really helpful. I’m so good at putting my head down and plowing ahead and never stopping to acknowledge, name, or celebrate what I’ve learned, created, or accomplished. And so thank you for being here to do this together and also see what’s coming up! And as you’ll see it’s not too much! But it’s all really great stuff that I’m proud to share with you.
Something that I’m feeling as I slow down and honor my more limited capacity (hello more naps) is that I’m also being very intentional with what I AM doing. Where and how I AM showing up. Because I can’t do it all. Elyse Meyers, who is brilliantly hilarious and is also pregnant with her second, recently posted a video talking about how she only has 20% available these days. Being pregnant is taking the other 80%. And instead of beating herself up about only showing up with 20% she now recognizes that if she has only 20% and shows up with all of it, that is actually 100% of what is available so she’s showing up at 100%. SAMESIES ELYSE!
So I’m bracing the 20% or whatever percent is available each day because it shifts and adjusts to the ever changing pace of motherhood (a topic I discussed with Tara Stiles last week on the podcast) as I get ready for my entire life to explode. Again. For the third time. Oy. I’ll take comfort in the wise words of Nora Ephron (can you sense a theme? I love her) “Everything is copy.” So at the very least all of this will lead to more blog posts, podcast episodes, books, content, articles, and who knows what else!
As always, thank you for being here. Your time is valuable and it means a lot that you spend some of it here with me. And please remember, I’ve got your back too. And your front. And your undercarriage.
Xo, Alissa
📖 I’m currently reading this book and am BLOWN away. Obvs gonna work on getting her on the pod!
📖 I also read this book and HIGHLY recommend this for any new or plan to be new parents.
🎧 This episode of We Can Do Hard Things got me good.
💦 Planning for postpartum and thinking this may be helpful when it comes to intimacy after a baby. I also have a code because Emily is cool like that….ALISSA7 to save $7 YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Reflecting on March…
*I went back to Canyon Ranch! This time I brought Jeremy with me and we used it like a Babymoon. I didn’t sign up for a ton of classes, instead we just…relaxed. It was incredible, and the group of women I had the honor of working with was a GD dream come true (hi ladies!). It’s got me thinking we may want to do a group trip later this year?? Right? I'm not crazy!
*I was a guest on The Mompreneur Guide Podcast talking about why NOW is the time to create YOUR Owner’s Manual. Because we have one for the dishwasher, but what about me?!?!? Learn more here!
*I got to be a guest in my dear friend’s one woman show at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC. We’ve known each other since we were TWO YEARS OLD and had our children weeks apart in 2019 before the world shit down. When I have video clips, I will share them. But it felt so special, so important, so RIGHT to be up onstage with Ilene Lester and one final time with Baby Sadwith #2 in my belly!
*This podcast episode seemed to really resonate with you. If you haven’t listened yet, now is the time! And while you’re there make sure to follow/subscribe!
Coming up this month…
*MY 39TH BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW!!!!
I am honestly so excited for this birthday and to approach 40. The big question is…for my 40th do I do a big trip? Or a big party? A destination party?! Thankfully I have an entire year to decide and plan.
*YOUR PELVIC FLOOR NEEDS LOVE
Sat Date: Apr 08 2023 From: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
@ MONTCLAIR BABY
Too often we don't talk about, explore, or acknowledge our pelvic floor until AFTER giving birth and I want more for you! In this workshop you will leave why connecting to this physical and energetic powerhouse hidden between your legs NOW will serve you well in birth (however you birth your baby) and set you up to feel safe, knowledgeable, and at home in your postpartum body.
What we will cover:
Basic anatomy of the pelvic floor and how it evolves during pregnancy
How these muscles are similar and different from other voluntary skeletal muscles in your body
How to maximize recruitment of these unsung muscular heroes throughout your pregnancy
Why integrating these muscles now is integral to your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience
You will leave with:
The #1 tool to effectively and optimally strengthen your pelvic floor
Simple movement practice to jumpstart your exploration of your pelvic floor
A deeper connection to your physical and energetic center aka your core
A strong desire to advocate for yourself in every facet of your life
Cost: $39
*I plan to spend the rest of the month celebrating myself, slowing TF down, and nesting. Baby Boy #2 will be here before I know it and I want to give myself time and space to prepare logistically and emotionally.
I am really excited for this little baby and I’m scared. I talked about that in depth in this episode of Myth of Motherhood and what it took to be ready to walk back into the fire.
*I’m also spending time and energy looking at everything I’ve created in the past three years (and it’s a lot of stuff) and how I want to move forward. My entire life is going to change. I am going to change. AND I’m going to still be me, the Amy Poehler of Vaginas, on a mission to destigmatize and normalize the female body and experience by whatever means necessary. To teach you about your pelvic floor and how to harness this physical and energetic powerhouse hidden between your legs so you can feel safe, at home, and knowledgeable in your own body.
I have a LOT of ideas AND I know right now is the perfect time to plant each of those idea seeds and give them some time to sprout. Wait, water them, talk to them, and see how they bloom. Then create a whimsical bouquet that makes all of our dreams come true. Right?
Additional resources/ways to stay connected…
In addition to being a subscriber here on Substack you can also meet me…
On your favorite podcasting platform by following/subscribing to Myth of Motherhood where we are cracking open the taboo topics of motherhood every week with alternating solo episode with me and conversations with select guests!
On Instagram where I may be coming unhinged.
Our private Facebook community Mom’s Club! This is the safe space you’ve been searching for on the internet where we really do not believe in TMI and this is truly a 100% judgment free zone.