17. Finding Solitude Between Tasks: Simple Ways to Restore Within(Motherhood)

17. Finding Solitude Between Tasks: Simple Ways to Restore Within(Motherhood)

In this episode, Nicola explores how busy women—especially stay at home mothers—can find pockets of solitude and silence in the midst of daily demands. Drawing on scripture, personal stories, and practical examples, she offers simple ways to pause; to let scripture and prayer wash over ordinary tasks, and the wrestle of trying to bring morning devotions into the tension of midday life. The episode is a meandering reflection around grappling with what it’s like to transform seemingly “fleeting” and sometimes wonky moments into quick restorative practices that ground the heart, and reduce rumination. Being curious about fostering integration between belief and behaviors, for a wholehearted-healthful self. Two specifics to note: 1. Practical micro-practices: remeber to include short, intentional pauses—e.g., a quick breath prayer in the kitchen, reflect on a poem or scripture while doing chores, or allowing a song to soften the heart—as accessible forms of solitude when full silence isn’t possible. 2. Integration over performance: The goal is not perfection or a rigid spiritual-emotional routine but an invitation to the self to remain curious. Asking self if it can carry over the posture and insights from devotional moments into the messy realities of the day, stirring faith to help shape responses (calm, hope, self-compassion) rather than becoming a checklist. As if to ask, who am I becoming, as I’m doing? Oh death where is your sting!? This song called Forever is such a sweet reminder of the culmination of things hoped for. https://youtu.be/VsP9ZT6t5Ss?si=jA5Q6NPZx6uz5fKB [https://youtu.be/VsP9ZT6t5Ss?si=jA5Q6NPZx6uz5fKB]

16. Holding What Matters, Noticing the Quiet Shifts, Making Room for What’s Becoming.

In this quick reflective episode, I invite you to reflect on where life is meeting you: to sit with the tender rhythm of life and motherhood — anticipating, holding, releasing, and learning to love in each new season. Through the ordinary act of parting with meaningful things, embracing patterns of life that feels mundane, we explore how simple things become choice memories, and rhythms become witnesses to who we were, what we hoped for, and who our children are becoming. This episode is for the woman or mom who is sorting through more than belongings. She is sorting through memories, expectations, grief, gratitude, and change. Together, we make room to honor what served us, release what no longer belongs, and gently embrace the beauty of what is unfolding now. And if you’re curious, the book I snagged out of the give away box(☺️)is The Story of Little Babaji. And another sweet one is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

15. Rest While You Work: Finding Breath in the Daily Chaos(of Parenthood)

Host Nicola invites listeners to unpack the weight of everyday stress, exploring briefly how the amygdala hijacks our responses. This started with intentions of brevity, and took a turn, 😘a bit longer than expected, however. Nicola reflected on how to reclaim somewhat a-calmer, more creative living through gentle reframing and self-compassion. In this episode she names the physical and emotional signs of lingering stress, offers simple breath-and-awareness practices, and encourages listeners to lower the internal pressure, ask for support, and carry responsibility more sustainably. “Stress can become chronic when the amygdala “hijacks” our thinking, shifting us from creative flow to hypervigilance and reactivity.” “Notice what you’re carrying—both external tasks (laundry, appointments, childcare) and internal pressures (fear of things falling apart, shame, identity stress).” 4 Breathing Exercises for Less Stress, More Energy | Northwestern Medicine [https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/4-breathing-techniques-for-better-health] If you’re looking for a Mom Mentor or Consultant, click here https://calendly.com/healing4her [https://calendly.com/healing4her]

14. Ending the Silence: Starting Conversations for Maternal Mental Health and Paths to Healing

On this episode of Healing for Her, host Nicola P. Hawkins talks with Rachel Gordon, a former practicing Physician Assistance currently a stay-at-home mom, about the messy, unexpected transition into motherhood and how she found her footing. Rachel shares candid moments of postpartum anxiety and depression, realizing the need to openly share her struggles with her husband and trusted friends for support and accountability. And the sense of relief of having her health care team validate what she noticed felt off. She further shares how learning her needs allowed her to see and appreciate the benefits of consistent childcare, part‑time work, craft, advocacy, for structure and adult connection. We shared passionately the need for women to have the option of accessible healthcare and therapy. We explored practical strategies for moms regarding rebuilding the village, starting community, seeking some child‑free time for meaningful pursuits, and things like doctor’s appointments. There are three important questions Rachel asked women in her community, one was “what’s been hard?”. Listen to hear the other questions, and how honoring faith while accepting outside help on the path to healing can aide in your flourishing. The purpose of this podcast is not to diagnose or treat, but to start conversations that you can hopefully take to a professional or trusted other. If you’re like us and many other women who have wondered about our state of wellbeing, this scale allows you to get a sense of where you are and how to move forward vs wondering or being fearful of what you might find. https://www.ismanet.org/doctoryourspirit/pdfs/Beck-Depression-Inventory-BDI.pdf [https://www.ismanet.org/doctoryourspirit/pdfs/Beck-Depression-Inventory-BDI.pdf] I woke up the morning of this episode recording and this song was coursing through my heart. I celebrated my spiritual rebirth this week, I think this song is fitting for that initial experience in Point Blank, TX. Throne Room [https://share.google/4rMK2OD5GqSfPrIcF] And, if you’re looking to grow beyond listening, get activated with 1:1 Coaching to learn practical skills for self-connection, vulnerability, and sustainable caregiving. Click; https://calendly.com/healing4her/initial-phase [https://calendly.com/healing4her/initial-phase] Spots are limited. Book a complimentary 30‑minute discovery call, use the calendly link to reclaim energy, clarity, and joy in your “right now” season! You can find out more about Rachel’s work here https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-gordon-070113191?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-gordon-070113191?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios]

13. From Survival to Self-Compassion: Practical Steps for Connecting with Your Heart Vulnerably (in Motherhood)

In this episode, Nicola explores how mothers can reclaim emotional wellbeing by practicing small, intentional steps of self-attunement and repair. She outlines a practical how-to: 1) Pause and name the emotion—use brief grounding (breath count) and identify primary and deeper feelings; 2) Track the meaning and need—notice the stories you tell yourself, name the need beneath the feeling, and choose a small, doable corrective action (self-soothing, a brief recess, or a repair conversation). Through personal examples and reflective prompts, Nicola shows how tiny, repeated practices of curiosity and honest repair shift overwhelm into clarity, connection, and sustainable self-care. — Feeling drained, unseen, or stuck as a mom/woman and ready to take practical steps for change? Remember: you’re not failing — you’re human. And, if you’re looking to grow beyond listening, get activated with 1:1 Coaching to learn practical skills for self-connection, vulnerability, and sustainable caregiving. Click; https://calendly.com/healing4her/initial-phase [https://calendly.com/healing4her/initial-phase] Spots are limited. Book a complimentary 30‑minute discovery call, use the calendly link to reclaim energy, clarity, and joy in your “right now” season! This song kept coming to heart as I reflected and prepared for recording. I hope it meets you. Hope being still, brings listening, & that you hear and feel remembered. https://youtu.be/l_gCkN5bcGU?si=dOkWnkbgc9q17CjJ [https://youtu.be/l_gCkN5bcGU?si=dOkWnkbgc9q17CjJ]