There seems to be a trend floating around in real life and on our virtual ones. It has to do with women- mothers in particular- wearing their hearts on their sleeves… and on their social media platforms.

Let’s not get my choice of wording twisted. I do not want “trend” to have a negative connotation. If anything, I desire my choice of wording to focus on its ability to show its relevance. Because (finally) I believe this trend is here to stay. As, in my humble opinion, it should.

In this day and age, we’re seeing a major shift regarding inclusivity, body positivity and spreading love rather than shame. At least that’s what I’ve been noticing in all forms of media. Not only is this refreshing for a millennial mother who grew up in the age of low-cut-denim featuring a rhinestone navel ring (not that there’s anything ‘wrong’ with those fashion faux-pas), but this is what our children are exposed to: a diverse, confident woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, wear what she wants and raise her children the way she sees fit.

The more authentic we are, the more others will become empowered to live in their truth; to live how they want to live and to uplift and support other women.

This upward ‘trend’ of helping-one-another-rather-than-putting-others-down-because-the-earth-is-corrupt-enough has really left an impression on the generation raising the next. Mothers alike seem to be more open about sharing their thoughts and their feelings. They’re wearing their hearts on their sleeves, as they should be!

I’d like to say most of us find comfort in hearing other experiences. It’s common to feel validated when we know other parents are going through the same kind of thing and feel the same kind of way.

Recently, it seems as though we as a society are killing the stigma towards speaking aloud about mental health, body diversity and many other ‘touchy’ subjects that people in the past would critic as unsavory.

The more we speak, the more they will hear. The more they hear, the more our children will be aloud to grow within an open and supportive community; with less comparative natures and self-doubt. At least that’s the hope.

Not only are we now speaking about these once unaccepted “transgressions”, but we encourage one another to be true to themselves- especially when it comes to motherhood.

Generally speaking, these once perceived flaws are now attributes that define our individuality and our beauty.

When we become mothers, we become warriors. We share the struggles and the downfalls and we tend not to focus solely on the wonderful moments, but openly express about the times we wish we had more help, more love, and more patience.

This ‘trend’ is on the rise. It’s better than holding the pain in. If we were to hold in our angst, it would build up, likely to explode in ways that we would unfortunately regret. By expressing how we feel, we are simply identifying our needs while communicating them with our friends, family, and most importantly, ourselves.

If we continue to wear our hearts on our sleeves, we will rid the shame of the emotions we once believed to be inappropriate. Emotions we were ashamed to demonstrate. There is absolute no need to hide this side of motherhood, because we all experience it.

We must continuously be reminded that we, as mothers, are in this together. Every situation we go through there is another someone likely experiencing it or having experienced it. Every thought we believe to be negative, silly or ridiculous as it may be, is a thought that someone else has also struggled with.

We may be individuals and unique as humans, but our experiences are shared. They should be shared. Just as we become more and more accepting of everyone’s differences, we shall never forget the differences that mothers face and feel. We will support one another, when and if we decide to open up.

In doing so, we will finally normalize the wearing of our hearts on our sleeves.

Words by Julian Jamie

Photographed by Alyssa Govas

Styling Seychelles