5 Ways to Reconnect with Yourself During Pregnancy
The hardest part of pregnancy isn’t what you usually hear about—the nausea, fatigue, or even the bone-deep exhaustion. Those are all tough, but expected. What caught me off guard was something no one really talks about: the feeling that you’ve somehow lost yourself along the way.
There’s this unspoken rule that if you don’t love being pregnant, it means you don’t love your baby. I couldn’t disagree more. The physical and emotional transition into motherhood is unlike anything you can prepare for, and while you’re in it, it’s easy to feel disconnected, even lonely. I’ve been there. It’s not fun.
In this post, I will share five ways to reconnect with yourself during pregnancy and begin embracing this new version of life with a sense of grounding.
Journaling
Leisurely Reading
Yoga
Guided Meditation
Nature Walking
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
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Journaling
Whenever I feel icky or just “off,” I turn to journaling. There’s something powerful about getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It feels like a release. I love writing in a paper journal (there’s just something about the tactile feeling), but you can also use a tablet or type into a Google Doc too.
You can find tons of journal prompts online, but I usually go for a simple brain dump: ten minutes of writing whatever comes to mind, no judgment. During pregnancy, my writing tends to focus on these themes:
What am I afraid of? What’s the worst that can happen, and what can I control?
What am I excited about? What brought me joy recently? Can I replicate it?
What’s left me confused? Are these feelings valid, or are hormones steering the wheel?
What’s the best-case scenario I hope for, and how can I help bring it to life?
What kind of support do I need, and is it reasonable to ask for it?
What am I grateful for?
Focusing on gratitude has been a game-changer. It’s great to vent on paper, but if I don’t take a moment to acknowledge the blessings in my life, the process feels incomplete.
If journaling doesn’t click with you, that’s okay! Not everyone finds writing to be a release. That’s why we’re diving into a few other ways to reconnect with yourself.
Leisurely Reading
I recently joined a few online reading communities and was surprised by how many people set reading goals each year. I loved the idea, even though I’ve always been a slow reader. Then, I discovered “combo reading,” which is switching between the physical book and the audiobook.
This year, I got hooked on a fantasy series that went viral. It not only entertained me but reawakened my imagination and offered an escape I didn’t realize I needed. It reminded me that reading doesn’t have to be heavy or highbrow to be meaningful.
Here are some easy-to-read series I’ve loved:
Fantasy: Fourth Wing Series by Rebecca Yarros (so far, there are three books in this series)
Romance/Young Adult: The Summer I Turned Pretty Series by Jenny Han
These reads have helped me unwind and feel like myself again, even if just for a few chapters at a time.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that connects your mind with your body and is now a popular form of exercise. Yoga has been a lifesaver, both physically and emotionally. When I started experiencing intense lower back and pelvic pain (thanks, growing uterus), my doctor recommended prenatal yoga. I found a local studio that specializes in it, and honestly, it changed everything.
Yoga taught me to listen to my body and be more aware of my breath and posture. It also introduced me to a community of other expecting moms, which made the journey feel a little less lonely. The best part? It combines gentle movement, mindfulness, and rest—three things I really needed.
If a local class isn’t an option, there are so many amazing free prenatal yoga classes on YouTube to explore.
Guided Meditation
Pregnancy can be mentally overwhelming. For me, the toughest parts weren’t the physical symptoms. It was the anxiety and fear of the unknown. Your body isn’t the only thing changing—your relationships, your identity, and your sense of control are all shifting too.
That’s where guided meditation has helped. I meditate almost daily, using apps like Calm and Headspace. They offer different styles, but both include guided meditations that I find super helpful. You can also find free meditations on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music.
I like to go into each session with a specific intention, like letting go of what I can’t control, or calming fears about making the “right” decisions. Through guidance and breathing, meditation can help ease these feelings. However, meditation’s successfulness is hard to measure scientifically. If it works for you, keep going! If it doesn’t, it’s okay to move on from it.
Nature Walking
The best and no-cost option for reconnecting with yourself during pregnancy is nature walking. Nature walking is exactly as it sounds – walking outside where you can view natural greenery. Try to find a local park or easy trail that you can stroll for about thirty minutes a day. Something I like to do during my walks is add a mix of meditation and journaling practices. I stay in tune with how I’m feeling, speak out loud, and weigh out solutions to problems I’m experiencing.
Walking also has many health benefits for you and your baby and is a low-impact exercise. This allows you to keep weight gain steady, improve blood flow, and ease some pregnancy discomforts. As always, it’s important to consult your health care provider before participating in exercise to make sure it’s right for you.
Conclusion: 5 Ways to Reconnect with Yourself During Pregnancy
Pregnancy involves several physical and mental transformations that women endure. One of the toughest ones that I’ve personally experienced was feeling like I lost touch with who I was. Then I implemented these five ways to reconnect with myself during pregnancy. Through journaling, leisurely reading, yoga, guided meditation, and nature walking I was able to stay grounded.
Now that I’m in my third trimester, these practices feel even more essential. I plan to carry them with me into postpartum and motherhood and give myself the grace to grow through the process.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
