The Mockery that Moves Me: How Embracing Life's Challenges Can Empower New Mothers to Thrive in 2025

There’s a particular sting when the world laughs at your struggles. As a new mother, the juggle of sleepless nights, endless feedings, and the demands of postpartum recovery often feels like a full-blown circus act—and sometimes, people treat it as one. Whether it’s offhanded remarks about "mum brain" or undercutting your exhaustion as just part of “what you signed up for,” the mockery can cut deep.

But here’s the thing: laughter, even the unkind sort, can be a powerful motivator. This year, I turned those stings of mockery into fuel. I stepped back, assessed where I was, and performed a S.W.O.T. analysis on my life. What I uncovered wasn’t just clarity—it was an opportunity to forge five guiding principles that I now carry with me into 2025. My hope is that these insights resonate with you, fellow mums, as we navigate this wild, wonderful journey of motherhood together.

The S.W.O.T. Breakdown: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

S.W.O.T. analysis isn’t just for business; it’s a brilliant framework for taking stock of your personal life. As I sat down, baby monitor buzzing in the background, I mapped out my world in four quadrants:

1. Strengths: My love for my child, my determination, and my ability to adapt to challenges.
2. Weaknesses: Chronic exhaustion, mum guilt, and the temptation to neglect self-care.
3. Opportunities: Building a supportive community, finding joy in small wins, and redefining success on my terms.
4. Threats: Comparison traps, societal pressures, and the ever-looming fear of “not doing enough.”

Seeing this map laid out was like flipping on a light switch. I realized I wasn’t stuck—I just needed a strategy.

5 Principles to Make 2025 a Better Year

From my S.W.O.T. analysis, I crafted five principles to guide me through this next chapter. These principles aren’t about being perfect; they’re about being intentional.

1. Prioritise Self-Care Without Guilt

You can’t pour from an empty cup. As mums, we hear this all the time, but truly embracing it can feel impossible. In 2025, I’m committing to regular acts of self-care—whether that’s a five-minute meditation, a solo coffee break, or scheduling a monthly therapy session. Self-care is not selfish; it’s survival.

2. Embrace Progress Over Perfection

Postpartum life is messy. Some days you’re a superhero, and other days you’re lucky to get through breakfast without tears (yours or the baby’s). In 2025, I’m giving myself permission to celebrate progress instead of chasing perfection. Progress is folding half the laundry pile or writing one email uninterrupted—it’s the small victories that matter most.

3. Build and Lean Into Your Village

Motherhood isn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s joining a local mum group, participating in online forums, or simply reaching out to a trusted friend, I’m focusing on building a supportive village. It takes courage to ask for help, but there’s strength in community.

4. Turn Challenges Into Learning Opportunities

Mockery often stems from misunderstanding. Instead of internalising judgment or negativity, I’m flipping the narrative. Challenges, even the painful ones, are lessons in disguise. For every sleepless night or public tantrum, there’s an opportunity to grow in patience, resilience, and resourcefulness.

5. Define Success on Your Own Terms

Motherhood is full of external expectations—breastfeeding debates, milestones, and career balance, to name a few. In 2025, I’m letting go of the need to meet anyone else’s standards. Success for me is a happy child, a healthy self, and a life rooted in love and authenticity.

Finding Strength in Vulnerability

When I look back at the moments when I felt mocked—whether from an unkind comment or my own inner critic—I now see them as moments of strength. Every new mother faces struggles, but those struggles don’t define us. What defines us is how we choose to rise.

Motherhood is a transformative journey, full of joy, hardship, and growth. By prioritising self-care, embracing imperfection, and building a supportive community, we can take charge of 2025 and beyond. Remember: you are more than enough, just as you are.

Final Thoughts

To every new mother reading this: let the mockery fuel you, not break you. Life will always have its challenges, but with intention and self-compassion, you can create a life that moves you forward. Let’s make 2025 the year we thrive, not just survive.

Here’s to a year of growth, laughter, and unapologetic joy!