Maternal Activism: Balancing the Fight and the Flow in Supporting Mothers

Maternal activism is equal parts “fight” and re-imagine.

First and foremost - this blog is NOT clinical advice nor is it intended to minimize PMADS or maternal mental health. In fact, it is to strengthen this conversation, expand it and bring more attention to it, from all disciplines and providers who work with Mothers.

Supporting mothers today requires navigating two crucial aspects: the "fight" and the "flow." Both are essential to the work we do, but finding balance between them can be challenging. As professionals supporting mothers, it's vital to understand and embrace both the advocacy work of resistance and the restorative power of re-imagining a healthier, more supportive world for motherhood. Here’s how we can navigate these dual aspects for the sake of our own well-being and the empowerment of mothers.

The "Fight": Advocacy and Activism in Maternal Support

The "fight" is the active resistance to the oppressive systems mothers are forced to navigate every day. If you've been feeling the growing energy around maternal activism, you're not alone. There's an undeniable surge in the push for justice for mothers, and it's more important than ever.

This "fight" is fueled by the anger and rage we feel when we think about the injustice mothers face—whether it's the lack of adequate childcare, paid family leave, or the overwhelming pressure of the "perfect mother" myth. These issues are systemic, and no amount of individual effort, like setting boundaries or working on communication skills, can solve them.

Mothers often come to us feeling overwhelmed and struggling with challenges that aren’t caused by them, but by the structures around them. The problems they face are not personal—they are collective. As much as we try to offer solutions, they tend to perpetuate the very ideals mothers came to us to undo.

This is why the fight is necessary. As Adrienne Rich famously wrote, "Motherhood is oppressive." And it’s this oppression—the systems, norms, and ideologies that shape the experience of motherhood—that leads to symptoms like burnout, anxiety, rage, and loss of self. These are the direct results of a system that oppresses mothers, not individual shortcomings.

The "Flow": Re-imagining Motherhood with Hope and Creativity

But here's the thing: staying in a state of constant "fight" isn’t sustainable. Our nervous systems aren’t designed to be in a constant state of activism “fight”. We need to be able to shift into the state of flow—where creativity, hope, and healing can thrive.

This is where the re-imagining of motherhood comes in. Flow isn’t just about doing less; it’s about creating space for something new, something better. In this space, we tap into our creativity, vulnerability, and connection. It's where hope comes alive, where we imagine a better future for mothers, and where we actively create solutions that are rooted in compassion and collective healing.

Flow is a powerful form of activism in its own right. It’s a gentle, aligned force that allows us to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Rest, as we often forget, is also a form of activism—a necessary practice for our bodies and minds to heal and sustain us through the harder moments.

The "Both/And" Approach: Finding Balance

This work—supporting mothers—isn't just about choosing one side or the other. It’s a balance of both the "fight" and the "flow." At times, we must advocate, challenge the status quo, and push for systemic change. And at other times, we must re-imagine a world where mothers are supported, valued, and able to thrive.

So how do we flow between these two seemingly opposite states of being? How do we shift from the fierce energy of activism to the gentle power of creativity and imagination? And, most importantly, how do we keep going when the fight feels endless?

The answer lies in taking time for both: knowing when to lean into the fight and when to allow space for rest, creativity, and connection. It’s about recognizing when your nervous system needs grounding and support, and when your soul needs to be fired up by your passions and creativity.

The Matricentric Way: A Shared Journey of Liberation

This is the heart of The Matricentric Way—a movement that embraces both the fight for justice and the flow of re-imagining. We are in this together. Our work, our fight, is a collective one, and what we can imagine for ourselves and mothers will be richer and more transformative when we share it.

At the core of this journey is our need for one another—our nervous systems need each other to heal, grow, and create. So, let’s support each other, keep the balance between activism and rest, and continue this journey of liberation for mothers everywhere.

Learn More and Get Involved

Professionally: The Matricentric Way is leading this paradigm shift - it truly is expanding the conversation on maternal mental health. If you are a professional that supports Mothers, I invite you to enroll in The Matricentric Way, either LIVE or self-paced. Join this movement today so that we can transform not only the lives of the individual Mothers we support, but the greater collective of Mothers.

Personally: The Becoming Mama course is available self-paced for any Mother within her first 7 or so years postpartum, interested in learning more about her matrescence AND the impact of Patriarchal Motherhood on her experience of being a Mother. (NOTE: this is NOT a substitute for clinical therapy NOR is it recommended to treat maternal mental health challenges. Consult your therapist for any mental health concerns.)