Motherhood can bring incredible joy, but when layered with trauma, loss, or prolonged exhaustion, it can feel almost impossible to access. In this heartfelt episode of Breathe, Laugh, Parent — The Shine Om Podcast, Rachel speaks directly to the mothers navigating grief, burnout, or overwhelm, and wondering:
“Will I ever feel joyful again?”
The answer is yes, you can and will find joy after trauma or hard seasons, but it may not present itself in the way you may expect.
Table of Contents
Why We Struggle to Find Joy After Trauma
When we’ve lived through trauma, whether birth trauma, the death of a loved one, or years of unsupported parenting, our nervous system remains wired for survival.
Joy, rest, and play can feel like luxuries or even threats, but the truth is, these aren’t reserved for your “healed” self. They’re part of what helps you heal.
Modern neuroscience and nervous system-informed parenting remind us that joy is possible in the micro moments, and often, that’s where the magic lies.
The Nervous System, Emotions & Joy
Your nervous system is designed to keep you safe. But it’s also capable of softness, lightness, and expansion when we create cues of safety.
In episode 13 of the podcast titled Finding Joy After Grief & Trauma: Healing Through Small Moments in Motherhood, Rachel shares:
- Why emotional honesty is a parenting strength
- The power of crying in front of your child
- How co-regulation happens when we feel, not suppress, our emotions
- Simple joys that don’t require extra energy
- How to gently rebuild your joy muscle at your pace
One example Rachel shares is the moment she grieved the loss of her Nan while holding space for her daughter. By naming what she felt, out loud, she created a shared moment of healing. That tender act modelled emotional safety and connection.
Your Children Don’t Need a “Happy Parent”—They Need an Honest One
Children don’t learn resilience from watching us hide our feelings. They learn it by witnessing us move through them.
When you show your kids it’s safe to cry, to grieve, to sit with discomfort, you raise emotionally intelligent humans. You also create a kinder, more spacious relationship with yourself.
Where to Start When You’re Ready to Feel Again
If joy still feels far away, don’t start with productivity; start with permission.
In this episode, Rachel guides a mindful practice that helps you:
- Name the emotion you’re feeling
- Tune into where it lives in your body
- Breathe through it gently
- Allow it to soften and move
This simple act becomes your bridge back to joy.
Download the Mindful Child Toolkit
If you’re looking for practical, accessible tools to regulate your nervous system and support emotional expression with your children, download the Mindful Child Toolkit.
It’s a printable, joy-rooted e-book that includes:
- Breath and movement practices
- Upregulation and downregulation tools
- Playful co-regulation prompts
- Links to meditations, podcast episodes, and calming rituals
📥 Download it now at shineom.com.au/toolkit
Support If You’re Struggling
If this episode triggers strong emotions, please remember that you’re not alone. Please reach out to a loved one, such as a family member or friend, and share your experiences with them. Here are some additional external support options:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- PANDA: 1300 726 306
- Gidget Foundation: gidgetfoundation.org.au
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Parentline VIC: 13 22 89
- Perinatal Wellbeing Centre (ACT): (02) 6288 1936
Listen Now
🎧 Breathe, Laugh, Parent — The Shine Om Podcast
Episode: Finding Joy After Trauma or Hard Seasons
Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcast or your favourite platform.
