12 Ways to Get Your Spark Back on Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is often sold as a magical time of baby cuddles, coffee dates and long walks with the pram. And while there can be moments of all three, the reality is that many women find themselves feeling a little lost.

Not because they don't love their baby, or because they're ungrateful. But because somewhere along the way they've stopped feeling like themselves.

If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "I just don't feel like me anymore," you're not alone.

The good news? Getting your spark back doesn't have to mean a huge transformation. More often, it's found in small moments that remind you who you are beyond motherhood, and tiny habits that slowly rebuild your confidence, identity and joy.

Here are 12 ways to start finding your way back to yourself.

Instant boosts:

• Eat a proper meal, not just snacks: If the baby’s always fed but you not so much, plan a healthy meal you’ll actually look forward to

• Listen to a motivational podcast: Take yourself out for a walk and listen to something inspiring

• Make a feel good playlist: And play it everytime you need a boost. Bonus points for a kitchen dance party

• Unfollow the accounts that make you feel negative:Maternity leave is not the time to be feeling bad about yourself

• Move your body: For enjoyment, not punishment. Pick something you actually enjoy, rather than feel like you should do

• Do one thing you loved in your pre-baby life: Reading, baking, gym, painting your nails. Anything that reminds you you’re still in there.

Slow burn boosts:

• Find people in the same season as you: Motherhood feels lighter when someone else gets it.

• Set yourself a small goal, and complete it: The boost from achieving something, even a small something, will increase motivation

• Write a gratitude list: Then refer back to it if you’re needing a bit of a pep talk

• Document your life properly: With photos of you in the memories too, not just the little on

• Stop consuming and start creating again: Bake or write something. Rearrange a room. Creativity can wake parts of you back up.

• Allow yourself to want more: More creativity, more balance, more ambition. More fun! Motherhood doesn’t cancel that out.