Between the school runs, the deadlines, the emotional labor of holding space for everyone else, motherhood can quietly erode the sharp edges of who you were before. You are still there, claro que sí, but finding your way back to yourself requires more than a bubble bath or a night off. It takes intention, patience, and a willingness to move—literally.
In our latest Madrehood story, Bolivian fitness and wellness expert Susy Diab opens up about what that rediscovery looks like in real life. It is not a linear journey, nor is it Instagram-perfect. It happens en movimiento: in early morning workouts, in the ritual of preparing for her classes and clients, and in those small, intentional moments that clear the mind and reset the spirit. For Susy, movement is not just physical—it is a return to self.
Self-Care as a Return to Self
Society often tells mothers that the postpartum period lasts three months, after which they are expected to “bounce back.” But the reality is far more complex. For many women, that transition stretches well beyond the first year—sometimes up to two years—while they juggle the parts of themselves that existed long before motherhood. Susy’s approach is grounded in curiosity: What do you still want? What are you still building? Who makes up your village?
Reconnecting with ambition and career goals is part of the journey. Susy reminds us that motherhood can expand your identity in ways you may never have imagined. There is power in allowing yourself to evolve, to take the leap toward what is yours, and still show up fully for your family and your professional life.
Community as a Love Language
Through it all, connection is her love language. It is what makes the balancing act possible: comunidad. Even an online community, if you have carved out a little corner of the internet for yourself, as Susy has done, can be a lifeline. From her mom and family back in Bolivia, to the group chat that never misses a beat, to the clients she supports, Susy leans on the people who hold her up. They are the ones who remind her she is not alone on the rollercoaster—that support is always just a message away.
For mothers, taking your power back is about stepping back into yourself. It is about slowing down poquito a poquito when you need to, showing up when it matters, and doing both with intention. It is about being strong enough to care for others, and honest enough to care for yourself.
Because taking care of your family also means taking care of yourself. It means giving yourself the care, support, and love you need to keep finding your way back to who you are, while continuing to grow into who you are becoming.
For more on how motherhood deepens our bonds, read The Call That Never Changes: How Motherhood Deepens Our Bond with Mamá and Mother's Day 2026: A Rare Binational Celebration for Mexico and the U.S.
