Motherhood is often framed in terms of exhaustion, sacrifice, and struggle. And while those realities are undeniable, they’re only part of the picture. What’s often overlooked is the deep, soul-nourishing fulfillment that comes with being a mother. The moments of pure love, the personal transformation, the unexpected glimpses of beauty—these are the treasures of motherhood.
This article is about those rewards: the glimmers, the growth, the meaning. We’ll explore:
- Glimmers of joy—those small, everyday moments that light up your nervous system with warmth.
- Motherhood as a path of personal growth—including the heroine’s journey and shadow work.
- A renewed sense of meaning and purpose—how mothering fulfills core human needs, including the need for status, purpose, and belonging (as described in the Human Givens theory).
- Journaling prompts to enhance your sense of gratitude, accomplishment, and connection.
Glimmers: The Small Moments That Make It All Worth It
“Glimmers” is a term from Polyvagal Theory, describing tiny, positive moments that regulate our nervous system and bring us feelings of safety and joy. Unlike trauma triggers, which activate our fight-or-flight response, glimmers activate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to feel deeply connected and present.
Motherhood is full of these fleeting yet powerful experiences:
- The way your child’s face lights up when they see you after a short separation.
- The feeling of a tiny, warm hand wrapped around your finger.
- Hearing your child’s first “I love you” or feeling their soft breath as they sleep against you.
- When your child shares something personal with you, revealing their trust and love.
- The deep exhale of relief when a fussy baby finally settles into sleep in your arms.
- A moment of uncontrollable laughter over something silly and unexpected.
- Seeing your own childhood reflected in their eyes, their joy, their curiosity.
- When they comfort you, showing an unfiltered, intuitive love.
- The peace of watching them explore—digging in the dirt, chasing birds, splashing in water.
- The way your heart swells when you see them accomplish something for the first time.
Exercise: Identifying Your Own Glimmers
Take a moment to reflect on the glimmers in your own motherhood journey. If you struggle to notice them, try keeping a “Glimmers Journal”—each night, write down one small but beautiful moment from the day. Over time, you’ll start to train your brain to see and savor these moments.
Motherhood as a Journey of Personal Growth and Shadow Work
Motherhood isn’t just about raising children—it’s also about raising yourself into a more healed, self-aware version of you. It’s one of life’s most intense catalysts for growth, forcing you to confront:
- Your own childhood wounds (triggers from the past surface in your reactions to your child).
- Perfectionism and control (learning to embrace the chaos of parenting).
- Patience and surrender (realizing you cannot rush the process of childhood).
- Boundaries and self-worth (understanding that your needs matter too).
The Heroine’s Journey in Motherhood
Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is often applied to male-dominated myths, but Maureen Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey describes the feminine path of transformation. Motherhood aligns perfectly with this model:
- Separation from the old self—Becoming a mother shatters your previous identity.
- Descent into the underworld—Experiencing overwhelm, exhaustion, or identity loss.
- Meeting the shadow—Facing deep-seated fears, wounds, and childhood conditioning.
- Integration and rebirth—Emerging with a new sense of self, purpose, and inner strength.
Rather than resisting these challenges, recognizing them as part of a powerful transformation can help reframe motherhood as a path of deep personal healing.
For a deeper exploration of this topic, read: The Heroine’s Journey Through Motherhood: A Path of Healing for Emotionally Neglected Daughters
Fulfillment: How Motherhood Meets Core Human Needs
The Human Givens framework teaches that every human has biological and emotional needs, including:
- The need for meaning and purpose → Motherhood provides an unparalleled sense of purpose, knowing you are shaping the next generation.
- The need for status and recognition → While society often downplays the importance of motherhood, its biological and evolutionary role is one of the highest forms of social contribution.
- The need for connection and belonging → Children offer a unique, deeply bonded relationship that fulfills our drive for attachment.
Recognizing these fulfilled needs can help counterbalance the cultural narratives that often diminish the significance of motherhood.
How Motherhood Connects You to Something Bigger
Motherhood can feel isolating, but at the same time, it connects you to something vast and ancient.
- A sense of legacy – You pass down wisdom, stories, love.
- A deeper connection to nature – Pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and sleep cycles all mirror the rhythms of the natural world.
- A link to all mothers before you – Every culture, every time in history, mothers have felt what you feel.
Carl Jung & The Universal Mother Archetype
Jungian psychology speaks of the Mother Archetype, a universal symbol of creation, nourishment, and protection. Whether we realize it or not, when we mother, we step into an ancient role—one that has existed across every culture.
- You are part of something bigger.
- You carry forward the essence of life itself.
- You are both an individual and a link in an unbroken chain.
Journaling Prompts for Gratitude and a Sense of Accomplishment + Free PDF Journal
Journaling is a powerful tool for rewiring the brain to notice and appreciate motherhood’s rewards. Try these prompts:
- What is one small moment today that made me feel deeply connected to my child?
- How has motherhood helped me grow emotionally?
- What is something I handled well as a mother today?
- How has my sense of meaning and purpose changed since becoming a parent?
- What childhood wounds am I healing through my parenting?
- How can I reframe a current challenge as an opportunity for personal growth?
- What do I love most about this stage of motherhood?
Journaling can be a powerful tool to deepen your connection to motherhood, find meaning in everyday moments, and process personal growth. Download this free worksheet with 30 journaling prompts to guide your reflections and cultivate gratitude on your motherhood journey (no email required).
Q&A Section: Common Questions About Finding Fulfillment in Motherhood
Q: What if I don’t feel the rewards of motherhood right now?
A: It’s completely normal to go through seasons of burnout and emotional exhaustion. That doesn’t mean motherhood isn’t meaningful—it simply means you need support and self-care to refill your emotional reserves.
Q: How do I stop focusing on the struggles and see more of the beauty?
A: Awareness is the first step. Practices like mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and actively noticing glimmers can rewire your brain to focus on positive moments.
Q: Does fulfillment in motherhood mean I don’t need anything outside of it?
A: No! Motherhood is meaningful, but it’s not your only source of fulfillment. Personal passions, friendships, and self-care are equally important.
Conclusion: Embracing the Rewards of Motherhood
Motherhood isn’t just about giving—it’s also about receiving. The love, the lessons, the small moments of joy—these are all gifts. By intentionally recognizing these rewards, we can shift from feeling overwhelmed by the struggles to feeling deeply nourished by the experience.
What is it that you love about being a mother? What are your glimmers? Share in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Looking to explore the maiden to mother transition? Motherhood as a Journey of Growth: Embracing the Transition from Maiden to Mother
Searching for a transformational book? See why Lisa Marchiano’s Motherhood is an excellent choice.
References
- Porges, S. (1995). Polyvagal Theory: The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Emotion and Social Connection.
- Murdock, M. (1990). The Heroine’s Journey: Woman’s Quest for Wholeness.
- Griffin, J., & Tyrrell, I. (2003). Human Givens: The New Approach to Emotional Health and Clear Thinking.
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