EMME MAMAS // Talking Motherhood and Self-Care with Aurelia
We're thrilled to spotlight Aurelia as one of our Emme Mamas. There's really no limit to her creativity and hustle. On her Instagram (you can follow her @ugarteaurelia), you'll find everything from art projects, ethical fashion, delicious food, mental health awareness and more. We really adore this mama and are excited for y'all to get to know her too.
Tell us a little bit about you.
Hi everyone! My name is Aurelia Ugarte, I am a mother of two amazing and independent children, and I am 25 years old.
I love to craft all the things, and I have so many projects I do at once because I am such a busy bee.
I also simultaneously have a restaurant named Heirloom Taco in Jacksonville, Alabama! So overall, I like to keep my time filled with lots of different projects. I am extremely passionate about slow & ethical fashion, and slow food, which go hand in hand in my book.
Pregnancy and postpartum is an exciting time! It can also be a really vulnerable time too, with all the changes that come. Did you have to fight off any body image issues while pregnant or postpartum? If so, what helped?
The last time I had a newborn was around 3 years ago, and let’s face it, it was all a blur to me. What I do remember is how lost I felt during it. Not so much in a body conscious type of way, but I felt like I had lost myself as a person. I fought so hard to get a piece of myself back, and I now realize that I need to love myself fiercely in order to become a good mom to my kids. While I do face my issues with body positivity, I do my best to never speak negatively about my body with my girls. I also HEAVILY relied on mom groups on FB. I would’ve been so lost without them.
Favorite go-to snack while pregnant?
My favorite snack was definitely fries while pregnant. I would make my husband go to this particular restaurant in town and order me a large fry order with a side of spicy BBQ sauce. & I loved all things salty! I could never get enough salt.
What helps you when you feel overwhelmed by motherhood?
Whenever I’m feeling too overwhelmed, I know I have to take a step back. I have to center myself and face what I’m dealing with to figure out the root of the issue. I’m so fortunate to have a partner that knows when I need this, and who steps in seamlessly to help. I typically bury myself in self care, whether it’s art, skin care, cleaning, or just taking a good long cry. I know most of the issues I face with parenting are rooted within myself, and not the situations I face.
What is your favorite thing to do for YOU?
I absolutely LOVE skincare; I love taking a long bath at the end of the day and taking the time to pamper myself. It’s my quiet time at the end of the day, and I cherish it with all my heart! I also really enjoy art.
2020 has been a really hard year for so many of us! How have you been doing? Any advice to mamas who are trying to stay mentally healthy during this time?
2020 has been so difficult. I’ve found myself more anxious than before. I get irritated quickly, but it’s also taught me so many lessons. I no longer take the little things, like going out to the farmers market, for granted anymore. There’s so many things I miss, and it honestly does more bad than good when I think about them and reminisce. I’ve found that I need to find little pockets of peace within my day. I need to cry if I feel like crying, and not feel guilty about it. I needed to know that every reaction I’ve had to 2020 is normal, because this is hard! We have never been through anything like this in our lifetime, and we deserve grace.
What is something motherhood has taught you?
Something that motherhood has taught me is that there is no right or wrong way to do this thing. It’s hard. There are days when I throw my hands up in the air and think “I can’t do this.” There are moments when I feel so lonely in it, but within those moments there are tiny hands reaching at you at me for hugs. Motherhood is so rewarding. Watching these tiny humans become their own person is magic in itself. Having THEM teach me lessons that I never thought I’d need to know is truly amazing.
Best advice you’ve ever received about motherhood?
I’ve also learned to not get lost in it, that while I am a mother, I am also my own person. That is probably the best piece of parenting advice I’ve ever received.
Follow this mama on IG @ugarteaurelia and visit her restaurant Heirloom Taco if you're ever in Jacksonville, Alabama!
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