First thing you should know about me…

Hello lovely people. I want to introduce myself to any newcomers to my socials.

First thing you need to know about me - I don’t really have a ‘subtle’ setting on my smile. I struggle to take a photo without an ear to ear grin. But that’s because I’m genuinely happy to be here. I’m an optimist at heart and I see the good in people easily.

Ever since having babies I have been obsessed with everything motherhood. But even before that, I was always destined for a life helping people. Whether it was studying to become a psychologist or running a charity, I have focused my life on supporting others.

I’m no saint. I do tend to focus on people who’ve gone through something similar to me. Those are the people I can give the most empathy to. Those are the people whose struggle I understand, whose eyes I can look into and say, ‘I get it.’

And sometimes only by experiencing something first hand (an illness, a crisis, grief, birth) can we see the gaps in the systems, the cracks that people fall through, and the unmet needs.

Being a mother taught me very quickly about unmet needs. I have gone days at a time without having my basic needs met - when I’m so in the thick of it that I haven’t showered, had a glass of water, had a moment to myself, or been lovingly touched by another adult. Too many mothers talk about feeling like an “empty shell” of a human. I remember saying similar things when my daughter was around 12 months - that I was a sub-human. And that one day I’d be human again.

I don’t think this is normal. It’s extremely common, but I don’t think we’re meant to feel this way. And perhaps one of the biggest changes we can make is to stop assuming this is normal and instead work to change it.

That’s why I’ve been called to doula work. I want new mums to thrive! I want them to feel all loved up and protected. I want women to feel like they have the queen status they deserve after performing what I think is a literal miracle. She took a bunch of cells and turned them into a human being and then birthed it into the world. Absolutely astounding.

And she instantly loves that tiny human. She loves that baby so hard that she forgets to love herself. So we need to love her more.

I honour the amazing journey women are making from maiden to mother (matrescence). During this transition her heart and belly should be full, her body warm, her space sacred and safe, her baby close, her loved ones near.

Another thing you should know about me (if you haven’t noticed already) - I’m quite verbose. I love writing, I love communicating, I am passionate in my conversations. That’s not to say I will talk the ear off a new mum. That’s the last thing she needs! Luckily I’ve trained for this. But if you’re my friend, you’ve seen my passion and my high value on friendship and sharing lives and ideas (I call it solving the world’s problems).

And finally, along with my big smile and passionate conversation, you’ll notice quickly that I am real and authentic. I will be vulnerable with you, and thus encourage you to be vulnerable with me. People seem quick to open up to me and I think that’s because I give a lot of myself up first. You might have met me an hour ago but if we’ve been deep in conversation we’ll be talking about our episiotomy scars and what meds we’re on.

I hope through my writing and showing up on social media that I connect with some of you; that I put words to your thoughts and that these words resonate and lead to change, somehow. If you’ve made it this far then you may be interested in my new blog. That’s where I’ll start putting these longer posts from now on. I’ll give ‘short and sweet’ a red hot crack on social media instead.

I’m so excited to be here, in the space of birth, women and feminism. I’m also so lucky to have the privilege of choosing this career path. To be able to follow my passion, instead of following the pay cheque is a true privilege. And I don’t intend on wasting it.

~ Jasmine 🌸