Spit-up On My Shoulder

Do you sometimes feel self-conscious about parenting or your role as a new mom? Martha Beck, one of my favorite writers, wrote in the July issue of O, The Oprah Magazine about tackling those low-confidence moments. She encourages us to say So? when we’re worried about how we’ll look.

Afraid to share your opinion when someone criticizes your parenting? So?

Nervous to wear sexy clothes you love since becoming a mom? So?

Hesitant to try surfing because you’ve got a mommy pooch? So?

As Beck says, “I suggest using So? every time you feel yourself hesitating to do something that might deepen or broaden your life. The answer to the question So? is almost always, ‘Well, when you put it that away…’ It pushes us into the spotlight, showing us we can survive there and freeing us to act on our best instincts.”

Asking yourself So? gives you a big picture view on life’s minor details that we can easily blow out of proportion (well, maybe not you, but I sure can!) Are you really not going to survive if someone sees you in that fabulous low-cut dress? If anything, they’ll probably compliment you on how great you look.

One of the areas So? has especially helped me is when I’m hesitant to spend $, even though it’s within our budget. Money anxiety has been a big problem for me and was particularly bad when I was dealing with all of the expenses a new baby brings. Check back next time when I’ll share my favorite new expression for letting go of money worries.