Pillars of Motherhood-2. The Intellectual Pillar
Why Intellectual Growth Matters in Motherhood
Motherhood is a deeply meaningful role—but it doesn't mean we stop growing as individuals. In fact, nurturing our minds is one of the most important ways we can stay grounded, energized, and fulfilled during all stages of parenting.
When you're knee-deep in diapers, snack requests, or teenage drama, it can feel like your brain is on autopilot. But your intellectual self still needs attention. If we don’t give ourselves regular opportunities to think, question, learn, and expand, our minds can feel stagnant. Mental fog, forgetfulness, and even burnout can creep in—not because we're not smart, but because we're under-stimulated.
Just as we feed our bodies with food and movement, we must feed our minds with new information, perspectives, and ideas. Intellectual growth isn’t about going back to school (unless you want to!)—it’s about engaging your mind in meaningful ways that help you feel alive and connected to something bigger than the laundry pile.
Plus, when we prioritize intellectual wellness, we naturally become more curious, creative, and confident. We model lifelong learning for our kids. We show them that being a mom doesn’t mean giving up your identity, it means continuing to grow in all areas, including your mind. You can even include it into your daily conversation with your kids. Hey kids, I learned XY and Z today. Tell me one thing you learned today.” It is a great conversation starter and also makes them think and review their day in a positive way.
Funny Side Story: I was asking my kids this question at the dinner table and one of my kids spoke up and said, “I learned Mrs. So-and So is pregnant.” I asked if that is all they remember learning that day and the answer was, “yes.” Ha!
So whether it’s reading a book, diving into a new skill, or simply having deep conversations with other women, know this: your brain is worthy of care and attention, too. You are not “just a mom.” You are a whole, evolving woman—and your intellectual pillar is one of your strongest supports.
Signs Your Intellectual Pillar Might Be Neglected
As moms, we’re so often in go mode that we may not even realize when our intellectual needs are being ignored. If you're feeling mentally sluggish or uninspired, it’s not just in your head—your intellectual pillar might be asking for some attention.
Here are a few common signs:
You feel mentally foggy or forgetful. You walk into a room and forget why. You can’t recall the last book you read that wasn’t for your kids. That mental sharpness you used to rely on feels distant.
You're craving something more. You love being a mom, but there’s a quiet voice inside that’s asking for stimulation, challenge, or creativity. You want to learn something new, but don’t know where to start.
You’re stuck in the same routine. Every day blends into the next. You long for a deeper conversation, a fresh idea, or a break from the monotony.
You feel disconnected from yourself. Maybe you used to love writing, art, science, history, or analyzing ideas—but now, that part of you feels buried.
These feelings are not a failure—they're invitations. They’re gentle nudges from your soul saying, “Hey, I miss you.” Your mind is ready to stretch, to be lit up again, and to remind you that you're more than your to-do list.
Tending to your intellectual pillar doesn’t require huge time commitments. It starts with awareness—and then small, doable steps that help you reconnect with your brilliant, curious mind.
How Energy Healing Can Help with a Neglected Intellectual Pillar
When the intellectual part of you has been dormant for too long, it’s not uncommon to feel blocked—mentally, emotionally, or even energetically. You might feel resistance to learning, guilt for taking time for yourself, or self-doubt about your ability to grow.
That’s where energy work can make a big difference.
Energy healing helps clear the internal noise and emotional clutter that keeps you stuck. It can reveal and release old “programs” (these are things we tell ourselves over and over again that are not true), maybe beliefs that say you’re “not smart enough,” or that your personal development isn’t as important as everyone else’s needs. These are real, energetic blockages that affect how you think and what you believe is possible.
By realigning your energy systems, you create space in your mind and spirit for curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Your thoughts begin to feel clearer. Inspiration flows more freely. And you start seeing learning not as a chore—but as a joy.
Energy healing reconnects you to your inner wisdom and reminds you that investing in your intellect is not selfish—it’s sacred.
Creative Ways to Learn When You’re a Busy Mom
Let’s be honest—motherhood doesn’t come with a lot of free time. Between laundry piles, meal prep, driving kids to activities, and bedtime routines, the idea of “learning something new” can feel laughable. But intellectual growth doesn’t have to mean going back to school or adding another thing to your already-full plate.
You can feed your mind in small, meaningful ways that actually fit into your lifestyle.
Here are some creative ways to keep learning, even when life is full:
Listen While You Go
Turn everyday tasks into mini learning sessions. Listen to audiobooks or podcasts while doing dishes, folding laundry, or driving. Choose topics you’re curious about—parenting, wellness, psychology, or even something totally new and fun like art history or gardening.
Micro-Learning Moments
Don’t underestimate the power of reading a short article, watching a 10-minute YouTube video, or writing a few lines in a journal. Bite-sized learning counts. Set a timer for 15 minutes and explore a topic that lights you up. Look at where you can seamlessly put this into your routine already. For example, before you eat lunch, while you are driving for school pick-up maybe even work in an after lunch walk and listen to a podcast, audiobook or a TED talk.
Make It a Family Affair
Learning doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Try something new as a family—watch a documentary together, take a virtual museum tour, or learn a new language as a group, learn to juggle together, skies the limit. When your kids see you prioritizing growth, they’re more likely to do the same.
Learn About You
Sometimes the most powerful learning happens internally. Invest time in understanding your emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. Read personal development books or explore mind, body connections to learn how your mind and body are connected.
Follow Your Curiosity
Give yourself permission to learn something just because it interests you. It doesn’t have to be productive or practical. The joy of learning something just because can be incredibly healing and energizing.
Stages of Motherhood and Intellectual Needs
Depending on where you are in your stage of motherhood. Fulfilling your intellectual needs may look different. Here are just some examples of what can be incorporated at each phase.
New Moms: Learning in small pockets of time
maybe it is just playing NYT Wordle or the NYT Strands. These are two of my favorites.
Could be looking up a meaning of a word and how it affects your life. Such as the word love, grace, mercy, opportunity etc..
Maybe it is finding a fun mom blog that helps you lighten the load of motherhood.
Start a new moms book club or a new moms “Moms Night Out” group.
Moms of Toddlers/Young Kids: Mental stimulation through podcasts, audiobooks
I really enjoy religious podcasts on topics I am interested in.
Check out your local library and the audiobooks that they have available for FREE! Our library uses Overdrive and Libby.
Pull up Spotify and look through topics that are interesting to you.
School-Age Moms: Taking a class, reading along with your kids
Looking into community classes. We have a community center plus the university puts out seasonal offerings.
I have been known to do read alouds with my kids. Find a book and find some time to reach a chapter or two at a time.
Moms of Teens or Older: Rediscovering passions
going back to school
creative outlets such as writing, drawing, painting, photography, learning to play an instrument
Find a place to put a puzzle and work on it little by little
Try something you have always wanted to try. You are never too old!
My Activity Go-Tos
Some of my favorite books are:
Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol Truman
Your Body Speaks Your Mind by Deb Shapiro
I love the scriptures! There is a lot to learn from the scriptures. Line upon line and precept upon precept. The learning is endless in the scriptures. The amount of podcasts and blogs geared towards understanding the scriptures is breathtaking. Find ones that resonate with you and just run with it!
I always have a Sudoku book with me wherever I go. I prefer a good pencil and paper activity. Just having something to stimulate my intellect is so helpful. It gets my mind working and allows me to just have a moment of rest from the other cares of the day.
I usually listen to audiobooks or podcasts while folding laundry, cooking dinner or doing tasks that don’t require a lot of thinking. It helps keep my mind from going into the mundane routine mind of nothingness.
“Important Side Note: Just like the adage; “You are what you eat.” The same applies for the media, social content and other things we consume, “We are what we put into our minds.”
Choose things that will be uplifting and positive!”
How Energy Work Can Support Intellectual Growth
As you explore creative ways to keep your mind engaged, it’s also important to consider what might be blocking your intellectual momentum. This is where energy work can quietly but powerfully shift things.
When your energy is out of alignment, it can show up as brain fog, lack of motivation, or difficulty focusing. You might have the desire to learn, but something just feels... off. That’s often an energetic issue, not a personal failure.
Energy healing helps you reconnect with your natural curiosity and clarity, making it easier to grow your mind and expand your world.
Here’s how it works:
Recognize and Clear Limiting Beliefs
Often, we carry subconscious programs like “I’m not smart enough,” “I never finish what I start,” or “It’s too late for me.” These internal scripts may have been passed down or formed in childhood, and they quietly limit your capacity to grow.
The first step is recognizing these beliefs. Once you’re aware of them, you can begin to shift them gently. One powerful method I recommend is using emotional flipping and bridging affirmations to move from disbelief to possibility in small, believable steps.
Balances the Mind-Body Connection
When your systems are aligned, your brain is better able to process, absorb, and retain new information. You’ll feel more mentally present, alert, and open to new ideas.
You can balance this connection through prayer, meditation, a walk and other ways that I can teach you in an energy session. Just little exercises that take a few minutes but can make a world of difference.
Reignite Curiosity
Many moms carry mental fatigue from decision overload, overstimulation, and years of multitasking. Reigniting your curiosity helps with all of this because it gives you something to look forward too. Sit with what you want to learn. Make sure it is something that will bring you joy and a nice reprieve, not something that will seem like another chore. Energy healing can calm that internal noise, helping you reconnect with the joy of learning—without it feeling like another task.
Creates a Safe Inner Space
Sometimes, intellectual growth is stifled by fear! Fear of not being good enough, fear of wasting time, or fear of not having what it takes. Energy work creates a calm, grounded inner space where your brain feels safe to grow again.
