I’m 34 and I’ve never had a mantra. I’ve never really felt like I’ve needed one until now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done a lot of (what I consider) hard things. I’ve run a marathon and gotten my PhD. Heck – I’ve been married for 10 years and as much as I love my hubby, there have been some really tough times. But never, until now, have I needed (and I mean needed) a mantra.

Almost 4 months ago I did a really cool thing: I gave birth.

Since then, I’ve learned a lot.

• I’ve learned a whole new level of multitasking (there’s truly an art to pumping while on a work meeting while watching your kid).
• I’ve learned just how loud this achy body is (I mean, is it really necessary for my knee, ankle, and wrist to crack while I sneak back into bed after putting my little one to sleep in the middle of the night)?
• I’ve learned that sometimes a 30-minute cycle class can actually take an hour to complete because your little one is the worst napper ever. Shout out to Robin Arzon for those motivational rides. As a fellow instructor, I heart you.
• I’ve learned that I can “shower” in less than 90 seconds. Thank you, dry shampoo.
• I’ve learned to “ruthlessly prioritize” as Chrissy Chard, co-founder of Smart Fit Womxn, would say.  
• I’ve learned that in order for me to drink a hot cup of coffee, I’ll likely have to reheat my mug at least 4-5 times.

But more importantly, I’ve learned how full my heart can actually feel. The love I have for my child runs so deep I feel it in my bones. There are no words I can type to adequately express the joy I feel simply by being their mom.

My mantra is this:

You’ve Got This, Momma.

I use it during the hard times but also during the good times. And my little one seems to know it because their first word was “Momma”.

Do you use a mantra? Are you thinking about using a mantra? Let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

~Written by Kellie Walters