Rising Strong: Rebuilding Your Identity After Life-Changing Events, with Jenedy Paige
Finding Fulfillment as a Parent: Balancing Self-Care and Family Life
When we’re in the thick of family like, most days we feel threadbare and overwhelmed. In this pursuit of being everything to everyone, it's easy to lose sight of our own needs and aspirations. Did you know that it IS actually possible to nurture your own passions and prioritize self-care in a way that will not only enhance your own life but make you a better parent and role model for your children?
In a recent episode of Fulfillment Therapy, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jenedy Paige, a remarkable woman who embodies the balance between personal growth and family life. Jenedy is not just a professional oil painter and American Ninja Warrior athlete, but also a devoted wife, mother, and teacher. Her journey is a testament to the power of embracing one's unique gifts while maintaining a strong family foundation.
Embracing Your Passions Alongside Parenthood
Jenedy's story begins with a surprising twist. She shares,
"If you would have told me when I was 12, that one day I was going to be a professional oil painter and also a ninja, I would have never believed you."
This statement encapsulates a profound truth about personal growth and the unexpected paths life can lead us down.
Many of us enter parenthood with preconceived notions about who we are and what we're capable of. We might think our time for personal pursuits is over, that we must sacrifice our dreams on the altar of parenthood. But Jenedy's experience teaches us otherwise. She demonstrates that parenthood can be a launchpad for discovering new passions and abilities we never knew we had.
As parents, we have the opportunity to model for our children the importance of continuous growth and learning. By pursuing our own interests and challenging ourselves, we show our kids that life is full of possibilities and that it's never too late to try something new.
The Power of Faith and Surrender
One of the most striking aspects of Jenedy's journey is her emphasis on faith and surrender. She explains,
"My whole path has been directed by a faith that I have in God and that he can direct me. And because he sees more than I see, it's like he's leading me on paths I could have never chosen."
This perspective offers a powerful reframe for parents who might feel stuck or limited by their current circumstances. By surrendering to a higher purpose or trusting in a bigger plan, we can open ourselves up to unexpected opportunities and growth.
Jenedy's experience reminds us that personal fulfillment isn't always about rigidly sticking to our own plans. Sometimes, it's about being open to new directions and trusting that our journey will unfold in meaningful ways, even if they're not what we initially envisioned.
The Importance of Self-Care and Personal Growth
A crucial aspect of finding fulfillment as a parent is recognizing the importance of self-care and personal growth. Jenedy's commitment to her passions - painting and ninja training - exemplifies how nurturing our own interests can enrich our lives and, by extension, our families.
As Jenedy puts it,
"You think when you're 30, like I'm developed, I'm an adult. And you think like you're somehow complete or something, like you've established who you are and what your passions are. And I'm here to tell you that no, you can keep changing and evolving throughout your whole life."
This mindset is crucial for parents who might feel that their personal growth has stagnated. By continuing to explore new interests and challenge ourselves, we not only enrich our own lives but also set a powerful example for our children.
Dr. Shefali Tsabary, clinical psychologist and author, reinforces this idea:
"The greatest gift you can give your child is your own psychological and spiritual growth."
When we invest in our own development, we become better equipped to guide and support our children through their own journeys.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Discomfort
Jenedy's journey into ninja training is a powerful metaphor for the challenges we face as parents. She describes her initial experiences at the ninja gym:
"By the time I got to the ninja gym, I would be sweating like down to my first rib cage because I was so nervous. And then you walk in there and it's not like at this time they have mom ninja classes, so you have to take a ninja class with a bunch of teenage boys."
This scenario is relatable to many parents who have stepped out of their comfort zones for the sake of personal growth or their children's activities. Jenedy's perseverance in the face of discomfort is inspiring and teaches us valuable lessons about growth and resilience.
She adds,
"You keep showing up and it would be really overwhelming to see like the whole course and like the whole gym and think I can't do any of it, but if you go in and you pick just one thing to work on, it becomes a little more doable."
This approach - breaking down overwhelming challenges into manageable steps - is not only applicable to physical pursuits but also to parenting and personal growth. By focusing on one aspect of our lives or one skill at a time, we can make steady progress toward our goals without feeling overwhelmed.
Balancing Family Responsibilities and Personal Pursuits
One of the most common challenges for parents is finding time for personal pursuits while managing family responsibilities. Jenedy's approach to this balance is both practical and inspiring.
She shares her strategy:
"When my kids were super little, I started getting up at four in the morning so that I could paint until they woke up at seven or eight. Man, you get three or four hours in before kids even wake up and you feel like a champion and you feel like, let's go take on the rest of the day. I already got my painting done."
This dedication to carving out time for personal passions is crucial for maintaining a sense of self and fulfillment in parenthood. However, Jenedy also emphasizes the importance of flexibility:
"Being a parent is like a living thing and it's constantly ebbing and flowing and your schedule is always changing as your kids grow. And you can't really set anything in stone because your kids will not allow it."
The key takeaway here is the importance of adaptability. While it's crucial to prioritize our own needs and interests, we must also be willing to adjust our approach as our family's needs evolve.
Modeling Healthy Self-Care and Boundaries
By prioritizing our own needs and pursuits, we're not being selfish - we're modeling healthy self-care and boundaries for our children. Jenedy's commitment to her art and athletic pursuits shows her children the importance of pursuing passions and taking care of oneself.
As parents, when we make time for our own interests and well-being, we teach our children valuable lessons about self-respect, time management, and the importance of maintaining a well-rounded life. We show them that it's possible to be a dedicated parent while also nurturing our own growth and happiness.
The Ripple Effect of Personal Fulfillment
When we invest in our own fulfillment and growth, the benefits extend far beyond ourselves. Jenedy's journey into ninja training led her to start a mom ninja class, impacting other women in her community. She shares,
"It is so fun to now encourage other women in this same path."
This ripple effect of personal fulfillment is a powerful reminder that when we nurture our own passions and growth, we often find ourselves in a position to uplift and inspire others. As parents, our personal growth can have a profound impact not just on our immediate family, but on our broader community as well.
Embracing Life's Challenges as Opportunities for Growth
Jenedy's perspective on challenges is particularly inspiring for parents navigating the ups and downs of family life. She views difficulties as opportunities for growth, saying,
"It becomes a metaphor for life. And so that's one of the things that I've loved about competing in the sport is that it constantly challenges what you think is possible."
This mindset can be transformative in how we approach parenting challenges. Instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable problems, we can view them as opportunities to grow, learn, and expand our capabilities as parents and individuals.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Fulfillment Starts Now
As we've explored through Jenedy's inspiring story, finding fulfillment as a parent doesn't mean sacrificing your personal growth or passions. In fact, nurturing your own interests and prioritizing self-care can make you a more energized, present, and fulfilled parent.
Your journey to fulfillment is unique and ongoing. It's not about achieving a perfect balance or reaching a final destination. It's about continually growing, adapting, and embracing new challenges and opportunities.
As you move forward in your parenting journey, I encourage you to take a page from Jenedy's book. Pursue that passion you've been putting off, challenge yourself to try something new, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Your growth and fulfillment will not only enrich your own life but will also inspire and positively impact your children and those around you.
In the beautiful tapestry of parenthood, your personal threads of passion, growth, and fulfillment are essential. They add color, strength, and beauty to the overall picture of your family life. So go ahead, pick up that paintbrush, lace up those running shoes, or sign up for that class you've been eyeing. Your journey to a more fulfilled, energized, and excited life as a parent starts now. In this journey of growth and self-discovery, you're not just doing it for yourself - you're doing it for your family too.
Join us on Fulfillment Therapy, where you'll find healing, wellness, and the tools needed to live a life you can't wait to wake up to. Together, we can create positive ripples of change and help others ignite their lives with lasting joy and fulfillment.
Thanks for reading and listening and shine boldly and brightly, my friends!
Connect with Kendra:🤗
ALL LINKS → https://linktr.ee/fulfillmenttherapy
Website → https://fulfillmenttherapy.org
Contact → hello@fulfillmenttherapy.org
Instagram → @fulfillmenttherapy
Facebook Community → http://bit.ly/fulfillmenttherapy
Facebook Group → Private FB Group
Schedule 1:1 Coaching → https://fulfillmenttherapy.org/1-on-1-coaching
Chat → 1-986-910-5172 *text questions & topic requests
Phone
(986) 910-5172
