The Motherhood Process
Welcome to The Motherhood Process—the podcast for moms who are ready to trade stress and anxiety for peace and purpose. I’m your host, Autumn Akins, and if you're juggling the challenges of motherhood, struggling with your identity, or feeling overwhelmed by daily life, this show is for you. Each episode offers practical strategies for building intentional routines, shifting your mindset, and finding alignment in motherhood so you can thrive, not just survive. As a boy mom navigating pregnancy and the everyday chaos of parenting, I’ll share personal experiences and proven techniques that have helped me reclaim peace and productivity.
Have you ever asked yourself questions like: “How do I shift my mindset from perfectionism to progress?” “What can I do to feel more fulfilled in my role as a mother?” “How do I find my identity outside of being a mom?” or even “What strategies can I use to create intentional routines that work for my family?”
If this sounds like you, then join me on this journey to discover how you can live a full life in motherhood that you truly love. From tackling stress to building a purposeful, joy-filled life, you’ll walk away from each episode with tools to create more balance and fulfillment. Subscribe for weekly insights on motherhood, productivity, mindset, and more—and don’t forget to follow me on social media and sign up for my newsletter for even more support.
Tune in and start thriving in motherhood today!
Visit autumnakins.com for show notes and additional helpful resources. And be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show so you never miss a single episode!
The Motherhood Process
18: Rest Looks Different Now: Finding the Right Kind of Rest for Your Season
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overstimulated, or unsure why your usual ways of recharging suddenly don’t work anymore, this episode is for you. Autumn opens up about a powerful truth many moms overlook: nothing is wrong with you — you’ve simply changed. And with a new season comes a new need for a different kind of rest.
Drawing from Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith’s framework from Sacred Rest, Autumn walks through the seven types of rest every mom needs to understand, from physical and mental rest to the often-neglected creative and spiritual kinds. She shares personal stories about sleep deprivation, overstimulation, social burnout, emotional holding, and the shift that happens when you finally acknowledge what your mind and body have been asking for.
This episode is a gentle reminder that rest is not a reward at the end of the week. It is a rhythm you build into your life so you can show up with presence, patience, and peace. When your season changes, your rest should too.
What You’ll Hear:
- Why the old ways you used to recharge may no longer work in your current season
- An introduction to the seven types of rest and how moms experience each one daily
- Real examples from Autumn’s life about sleep patterns, overstimulation, and mental load
- How emotional rest can show up as honesty, grief, or dropping the mask
- The importance of identifying whether you need solitude or support
- The role of creativity in restoring your joy and sense of self
- Why spiritual rest matters, including Autumn’s personal reflections on faith and growth
- How to create a simple “rest menu” to help you choose the kind of support you need
- Practical ways to build rest into your day without waiting for burnout
Key Takeaways:
- Rest Evolves With You: When your season changes, your needs change. Rest is meant to adapt, not stay rigid.
- You Need More Than Sleep: Physical rest is just one type. Mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and spiritual rest are just as important.
- Overstimulation is Real: Silence, boundaries, and intentional slowing down matter more than ever in motherhood.
- Authenticity Brings Relief: Emotional rest comes from removing the pressure to appear put together.
- Connection Should Be Intentional: Choose relationships that fill rather than drain you, and honor your capacity week by week.
- A Rest Rhythm Prevents Burnout: Rest should be woven into your day, not something you turn to only when you’re depleted.
Resources:
Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith – Sacred Rest
https://autumnakins.com/reclaim
Connect with Me:
Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.
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Join Me Next Week:
Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!