Why Every Mum Needs a One-Year Plan — Not Just a Birth Plan

Mafalda Novo
Nov 5
2 min read

We prepare for the birth, for feeding, for sleep schedules — but rarely do we prepare for ourselves.

Motherhood changes everything — your body, your time, your relationships, your career, and even your sense of self. Yet most mums only plan for the logistics, not the life that comes after.

You spend months researching the best pram, packing the hospital bag, setting up the nursery, and reading about newborn routines… but when the noise quietens, a new question arises:

Who am I now?

The Truth About the Transition into Motherhood

No one talks enough about the identity shift that happens when you become a mum.

It’s beautiful and transformative, yes — but it can also be disorientating.

Suddenly, your priorities change. The woman you were before feels distant, yet the new version of you is still forming.

You might find yourself wondering:

What do I want my days to feel like?
How can I make space for my own needs when everyone needs me?
What happens to my career ambitions now?
How do I reconnect with my partner — and with myself?

These are the questions that no baby book or maternity checklist can answer.

They require reflection, clarity, and intention.

And that’s where having a one-year plan for your motherhood journey can change everything.

From Survival Mode to Intentional Living

The first year of motherhood often feels like survival mode. You’re juggling new routines, new emotions, and an entirely new identity. But when you take the time to design a one-year plan, you move from reacting to creating.

A one-year life plan helps you reconnect with what truly matters — not just as a mother, but as a woman. It gives structure to the inner work of becoming who you want to be in this next chapter.

It’s about more than ticking boxes — it’s about asking yourself:

Who am I becoming?
What kind of mum, partner, professional, and woman do I want to be?
What does balance really mean for me — and how can I make my own version of it?

Through guided reflection, exploratory thinking, practical exercises, and intentional planning, you can shape your next twelve months with purpose — in your wellbeing, your relationships, your career, and your sense of self.

You Deserve to Thrive, Not Just Cope

We pour so much energy into preparing for our baby’s arrival, but so little into preparing for our own evolution. And yet, when a mum thrives — her entire family benefits.

Creating a plan doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It means having a vision, a direction, and support along the way.

That’s exactly why I created Embracing Motherhood — a one-year, three-stage coaching programme that walks with you through pregnancy, maternity leave, and the return to work.

Together, we explore who you’re becoming, what you need, and how to rebuild your life in alignment with your values and goals.

Because your baby deserves a happy, grounded mum. But you deserve to feel fulfilled, confident, and at peace with who you’re becoming.