Finding My "New Why" After Giving Birth

The Journey to My New Why

When I trained as a swimming teacher in 2017, it started as a simple way to earn extra money. I loved swimming, and after seeing classes running at my local pool, I thought it would be a perfect addition to my working life. At the time, I was already working as a childminder and a rowing coach at a girls' school, so I felt comfortable working with children. My mindset has always been to "give it a go—what’s the worst that can happen?"

I completely underestimated the job and the profound effect it would have on my life.

Teaching swimming sparked a passion I didn’t know I had for child development, particularly the early years. Watching a child’s confidence transform through a love of water was pure magic. This passion drove me to pursue further training in adult and baby swimming, supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), and coaching nervous adults. Job satisfaction is so important, and I truly believe teaching swimming is one of the best jobs in the world.

My personality is wired to keep moving forward and developing my skills. Being able to support new parents and their little ones with up-to-date, science-backed information is incredibly important to me. Since having my own child, that drive has only heightened. I can now blend eight years of professional experience supporting families with my own personal journey through motherhood.

The "Why" Behind Love, Bloom, Nest

After having my son and returning to work, I found myself reflecting deeply on my path forward. What more could I do? How have I grown from becoming a mum?

We are so lucky to live in a world where the choices are ours to make—whether to have children or not, to return to work full-time or part-time, or to go back to school to learn something completely new. But there are no easy routes. Every parent faces unique challenges on whichever path they choose; no transition into parenthood is a straight line.

Finding out I was pregnant was exhilarating, but it was also extremely daunting. I struggled with intrusive thoughts throughout the entire pregnancy, constantly worried that something could go wrong. While trying to remain calm and relaxed—because every book tells you that maternal stress directly affects your growing baby—I managed to get myself into a few vicious mental cycles.

In hindsight, it is so easily done. It is a completely new experience with no clear guidebook, and because one size never fits all, it is incredibly easy to get stuck in your own head. What truly helped settle those anxious voices was talking with my husband, learning to stop scrolling on Google, and surrounding myself with a wonderful group of friends who were in the exact same boat.

Now, nine months into parenthood, I find myself asking: How can I best support other women and new parents?

I want to build on my background in early childhood development, use my professional expertise, draw from my own raw experiences, and build a village in my local community.

Finding Your Village in a Lonely World

There is no shortage of antenatal classes and baby groups out there. Yet, the journey from conception to parenthood and beyond can still feel incredibly isolating. This is why I believe community spaces are so vital for parents looking to find their village.

Even though I attended all the groups, I still felt totally out of my depth a lot of the time. I will never forget our first night in the hospital. My baby was just a few hours old, the room was quiet, and it was just the two of us. When he started crying, my immediate instinct was to call the midwife for help because I genuinely had no clue what to do. The midwife was wonderful. She gently passed him back to me and simply said, "Just cuddle him." That simple reassurance was enough to settle my baby, and it was my very first step toward finding my feet as a mother.

What Can I Create?

The idea for Love, Bloom, Nest stems from all of these reflections. I wanted to create a safe, nurturing space where—from a place of Love—you can watch your family Bloom, while feeling completely supported as you build your own Nest.

Determined to expand my skills to better serve my local community, I started researching baby massage and yoga courses. I fell down a massive research rabbit hole until I found a qualification that completely captivated me: The Advanced Diploma in Parent and Child Wellness – The First 1001 Days.

This qualification focuses on supporting families from conception through to toddlerhood through connection, communication, and nurturing touch. It equips me to guide you and your new bundle of joy through the most critical developmental period of their life, showing you how to use baby massage to aid their rapidly growing minds and bodies.

This new chapter and the possibilities it brings have completely re-inspired me, and I cannot wait to share it all with you!

Thank you so much for reading! To follow along and see how this journey unfolds, come visit my Instagram or Facebook page or Both!  

Lucy x