When I first started making sourdough, it wasn’t because I had some lofty dream of becoming a master baker. If I’m being honest, it all began because I got tired of waiting for the holidays when my bestie (the infamous @nourishingwild) would bake it for me. I loved it so much, but let’s be real—once a year wasn’t enough. So, when my dad casually offered me some of my uncle's sourdough starter, I figured, why not give it a go? What’s the worst that could happen, right? (Spoiler alert: plenty of kitchen flops along the way.)
Little did I know that this simple decision to start baking sourdough would become so much more than just creating a tasty loaf. That starter became a spark, not only for my bread-making journey but also for reconnecting with me in the midst of the chaos of motherhood. What started as a fun kitchen experiment turned into an unexpected source of joy, grounding, and self-discovery. It became a little ritual that helped me practice mindful motherhood, focusing on self-care through sourdough and the small joys it brought into my life. Here are five surprising ways sourdough has helped me find myself in motherhood.
1. Slowing Down & Regulating My Nervous System
In the fast-paced world of motherhood, it’s so easy to get swept up in the never-ending to-do lists and constant demands. But sourdough forced me to slow down and find moments of calm amidst the chaos. You simply can’t rush sourdough—there’s no fast-forward button for fermentation, no shortcuts when it comes to mixing, resting, or baking. And in a way, that’s exactly what I needed.
This slow, deliberate process became a form of mindfulness for me, helping me regulate my nervous system. The repetitive, soothing motions of kneading and shaping dough gave my body a chance to settle, creating moments of stillness that felt incredibly grounding. Just like with sourdough, regulating the nervous system isn’t something we can rush either.
One of the practices that I found particularly helpful alongside my sourdough ritual is soft belly breathing. This simple but powerful exercise has been a game changer for calming my nervous system in those overwhelming moments. Soft belly breathing helps to activate the body’s relaxation response, which is so important when everything feels overstimulating. And the best part? You can do it anytime, anywhere.
If you’re curious about trying it for yourself, I’ve created a free recorded soft belly breathing exercise to help guide you through it. It’s been such a helpful tool for me, and I’m excited to share it with other mamas looking for a way to create calm and center themselves. Click here to access the free soft belly breathing exercise.
2. Tapping Into My Creativity
When you're in the hustle and bustle of motherhood and career life, you can often feel little room for creative outlets, but I found that the simple act of creating something as tangible as a loaf of bread helped me reconnect with my creative side. Sourdough gave me the chance to make something just for me—and trust me, seeing that dough rise (or flop!) sparked a kind of joy I didn’t know I needed.
3. Nourishing My Body with Intentionality
Nourishing your body after baby becomes an entirely different conversation when you’re deep in the whirlwind of motherhood. For me, sourdough helped shift my mindset around food. My health journey started with a paleo adventure, but once I figured out what my body liked—and really didn’t like (hello, processed junk!)—I began to wonder: was it the gluten or all the additives that made me feel off? This journey helped me realize that making my own bread allowed me to savor the heaven that is bread while avoiding the brain fog, bloating, and overall ick that comes with store-bought versions. Sourdough became a reminder to nourish my body with intention, focusing on whole, real ingredients. And honestly, being intentional about what I put into my body had a ripple effect on my mental and emotional well-being too.
4. Rediscovering Who I Am Outside of "Mom"
Somewhere between sleepless nights, constant snack demands, and mom anxiety, I realized I’d lost touch with who I was before becoming a mom. I used to love to craft, make boquets, cook for holidays, and do house projects. In a way, learning to make sourdough was my way back to myself. The process became a quiet ritual, a reminder that I am still my own person with passions outside of the role of "mom" or my work. It was about creating a space for mindful motherhood, but also about remembering the individual behind the mom.
5. Creating an Anchor Through Ritual
The process of baking sourdough became an anchor for me in the whirlwind of motherhood. Amidst the unpredictability of life with a little one, it was one of the few things I could count on—a quiet, sacred ritual that was just for me. Establishing this routine gave me something predictable and grounding when everything else felt like it was constantly shifting. It became my "me time," a moment to reset after long, sleepless nights and a slow, intentional start to my busy days.
There was something deeply comforting about knowing that I was creating something tangible, with my own two hands, that nourished both my body and spirit. In many ways, sourdough became a metaphor for the journey through motherhood—messy, unpredictable, but ultimately rewarding. It reminded me to be patient with myself, to embrace the process, and to find joy in the small, simple moments that make this wild ride feel a little more grounded.
Sourdough and motherhood may seem like an unlikely pair, but this simple bread-baking practice gave me more than just food on the table—it helped me reconnect with myself in the most surprising ways. Whether you're looking to practice self-care through sourdough or find a way to stay grounded amidst the chaos, I highly recommend starting your own sourdough journey. You might just be surprised at the lessons you learn along the way.
And let’s not forget the real star of the show here—feeding the mother! Just like how you have to regularly "feed" your sourdough starter to keep it alive and thriving, we, as mothers, need to nourish and feed ourselves too. It’s easy to get so caught up in caring for everyone else that we forget to tend to our own well-being, but we need just as much nurturing.
In my work as a maternal mental health practitioner, I’m constantly reminding—quite literally—feeding myself this reminder: self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. You can’t pour from an empty cup (or bake from an unfed starter!). Sourdough became a tasty metaphor for this in my life, teaching me that when I take the time to "feed" myself—whether that's with good food, quiet moments, or a creative outlet—I’m able to show up more present and nourished for my family. So, just like your starter, feeding the mother is essential for both the bread and the soul.
Your truly, Dena Tibsherany<3
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