Managing Anxiety and Perfectionism Postpartum

If you’ve always been the type to color-code your planner, triple-check your work, and set impossibly high standards for yourself, then postpartum might be hitting you like a freight train. Motherhood has a way of tossing perfectionism out the window—whether you like it or not. And when anxiety creeps in, it can feel like you’re constantly trying (and failing) to keep everything under control.

Let me remind you: You don’t have to do everything perfectly to be an amazing mom. Let’s walk through three simple ways to manage anxiety and perfectionism so you can enjoy this season without burning yourself out.

In this episode, we will cover:

• The reasons why perfectionism can feel heightened during postpartum—and how to manage it.

• Why addressing anxiety is key to thriving in motherhood and enjoying your baby.

• How to set realistic expectations and show yourself grace in this new season of life.

• … and a whole lot more!

Why Anxiety & Perfectionism Skyrocket Postpartum

🧠 Motherhood literally rewires your brain. The hormonal shifts after birth make you hyper-focused on your baby’s well-being. And if you’re already someone who thrives on control, that instinct can turn into overanalyzing, over-planning, and over-functioning.

🔹 Example: Instead of trusting your instincts, you might find yourself deep in a Google rabbit hole at 2 AM, researching whether your baby’s hiccups are normal (spoiler: they are).

❌ Common mistake: Thinking that if you just plan better, research more, or work harder, you’ll feel more in control. But the harder you try to control everything, the more anxious you feel.

✔️ What to do instead: Accept that uncertainty is part of motherhood. Learning to tolerate not knowing everything will bring you far more peace than trying to eliminate every unknown.

Breaking the Cycle of Mom Guilt & Self-Criticism

🌀 Perfectionism feeds off unrealistic expectations. And let’s be real—there’s no harsher critic than the voice inside your own head. You’re holding yourself to impossible standards, and it’s a lose-lose situation.

🔹 Example: You tell yourself you’ll “sleep when the baby sleeps,” but when naptime comes? You’re folding laundry, answering emails, and prepping for the next feeding instead of actually resting.

❌ Common mistake: Believing that being a “good mom” means sacrificing your own needs 24/7.

✔️ What to do instead: Practice self-compassion. Ask yourself, “Would I hold my best friend to this same impossible standard?” If the answer is no, it’s time to ease up on yourself.

Rebuilding Self-Trust & Letting Go of Overwhelm

👣 When you’re used to structure and certainty, postpartum can feel like chaos. And when things feel out of control, anxiety tells you to do more. But the key to managing anxiety isn’t about finding the “perfect” routine—it’s about trusting yourself even when things are unpredictable.

🔹 Example: You second-guess whether your baby is eating enough, sleeping enough, or developing on track. Instead of trusting your gut, you keep searching for external validation—from the internet, from other moms, from books.

❌ Common mistake: Thinking that more information will ease anxiety. In reality, information overload makes it worse.

✔️ What to do instead: Focus on the big picture. Your baby doesn’t need perfection—they need a calm, present mom. Create a simple, flexible plan that includes rest, support, and self-care.

How to Start Managing Anxiety & Perfectionism Today

💡 If you take nothing else from this post, remember this: Postpartum isn’t about perfection—it’s about adapting, letting go, and giving yourself grace.

Here’s what you can do right now to start managing anxiety and perfectionism:

1️⃣ Set “good enough” goals. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for realistic and doable. A 10-minute nap is better than no rest at all. A quick shower is better than feeling drained all day.

2️⃣ Limit information overload. Pick one or two trusted resources (and hey, I’d love to be one of them 😉) instead of endlessly scrolling forums, Instagram, or parenting books.

3️⃣ Create a daily self-check-in. Ask yourself:
✅ Have I eaten today?
✅ Have I moved my body, even just a little?
✅ Have I done one thing for me?

4️⃣ Find your support system. You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on trusted friends, a partner, or a coach who truly gets it. And if you’re looking for guidance, I’ve got just the thing for you…

You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again

Motherhood is a beautiful, messy, and completely imperfect journey. And the good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, and feeling like yourself again, grab my free guide: The New Mom Reset: Simple Steps to Feel Like Yourself Again.

Because you deserve to thrive in postpartum—not just survive it. 💛

And before you go, tell me—what’s been your biggest struggle with anxiety or perfectionism postpartum? Drop a comment below. Let’s chat. 💬

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