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DEAR PRE-MOM SELF: ITS TIME TO LET YOU GO

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P A R E N T H PO RO E DG N A N C Y

Dear Pre-Mom Self: Its Time To Let You Go

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T P/F AU RL E

HP/OR OE DG

ANNA GANNON JULY 5, 2016

Let me just get this out of the way first, I love being a mother.
When people say they never knew what true love was until they became a parent, they arent
exaggerating. Its the single best thing that has ever happened in my life.
But Id be lying if I said that I didnt sometimes miss my old life, pre-motherhood. I once heard that a
mom described this feeling as mourning her pre-mom self and to be honest thats exactly how Ive felt
these last 8 months.
Mainly, I miss my alone time. I miss going for walks and not having to worry about when Ill return. I miss
not worrying. I hate that I look at my old self and wish I could still look that rested, that I could still
enjoy a yoga class and a long run in the same day. I hate feeling less interesting. I hate being a bad

listener because one of my ears is always for my daughter. I hate never having two hands. I hate that I
dont know if Im doing a good job every day.

But I love being a mother.

They say that in order for us to move on in life we must let our old selves go first.
So today, I feel its time to say goodbye

Dear Pre-Mom Self,

I love you, I truly do, but its time for me to let you go.
But first, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. In 31 years you grew more than I ever could have
imagined. You never gave up, you kept evolving, changing and trying your best to be the best person
you could. Thanks for knowing that you dont have to be dragged down by your past, your bravery to
push forward is inspiring.
Thanks for following your dreams. You could have done what you thought you should by society
standards but instead you followed your heart. It wasnt always a smooth ride, but thanks for learning
from the bumps even when they hit you so hard that you felt like you couldnt see the ground anymore.
You built yourself back up every time and you did it by looking at your own faults not by blaming others
(even though sometimes you did for a while).
Thanks for taking responsibility. For finding humbleness and for learning that its ok to say I dont
know.
And pre-mom self, have I ever told you how good you look? Seriously, when I look at pictures of you I
see so much energy, so much excitement and inspiration. Youre beautiful and I wish I told you that a
long time ago.
But, pre-mom self you should see how good I look as a mom now. I have bags under my eyes, a few
extra pounds around my body, messy hair, last nights make-up and unbrushed teeth

I am radiant.
You should see how strong I am now, and Im not talking about my muscles (those have softened a bit) .
Im talking about the strength of my heart. I cry constantly because Ive never felt this alive and
connected. Its beautiful to feel everything this wholeheartedly.
I dont get much sleep now, but somehow my mind is also stronger than ever. Im a modern day
superwomen. I accomplish more in a day than you did in a week. But its not a competition, you
prepped me for this. You set me up with my best self before I made this leap into motherhood.

Thank you for that.

But pre-mom self, Im going to have to leave you behind. You see, Ive changed and as much as I hate to
admit it, Im a different person now.

Im a mom.
But, dont worry. Youve prepared me to love my mom self, to have more compassion for her and to let
her find her own way.
I would say Ill miss you, but if you had had a chance to meet my daughter youd realize that its
impossible to miss anything before she came into the world.

Are you pregnant or a new mom?

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