If there’s one thing I’ve taken away from my endless scrolling on TikTok, it’s the phrase “Getting Your Pink Back.” I’ve seen hundreds of videos of moms—often with babies strapped to them—talking about the little things that bring them joy. And honestly? It struck a chord.
Postpartum has been a journey for me, and if you’ve read my past blogs, you know it’s something I’ve struggled with. I’ve “graduated” from therapy, I take my daily medication, and I’m doing all the right things. But when I look in the mirror, I still don’t fully recognize the woman staring back at me.
She’s bigger than she used to be, with new stretch marks marking the two lives she created. The bags under her eyes are darker, heavier. The melasma from pregnancy still lingers, only covered by layers of foundation. She looks tired—just not the same bubbly person she used to be.
The longer I stared, the more I realized I had no idea who I was anymore.
The Lost Sparkle of Motherhood
These days, my idea of a perfect Friday night is the kids in bed by 6:30pm, DoorDash on the way, and me passed out by 9pm. My hobbies? Picking up toys that somehow end up everywhere, wiping down countertops for the millionth time, feeding an endless cycle of snacks to my toddlers, and catching .5 seconds of The Real Housewives before someone needs me.
My friends have probably lost patience with me after I’ve canceled plans one too many times or forgotten to text back because I’m just too overwhelmed by life some days.
And then, in the depths of my TikTok spiral, I kept seeing videos of moms talking about “getting their pink back.”
That’s when it hit me: I don’t just need to find my pink again—I need to keep it for good.
What Does “Getting Your Pink Back” Even Mean?
This term actually comes from mama flamingos. When they have their chicks, female (and male!) flamingos lose their beautiful pink color, fading into a duller shade. Why? Because they pour everything into their babies—nutrients, energy, love.
But as their chicks grow, their vibrant pink color returns. Because they start taking care of themselves again.
Motherhood takes so much from us—our time, sleep, bodies, and sense of self. But the hardest part, the part no one talks about enough, is how to get back the sparkle we’ve lost.
So, how do we start getting our pink back?
Stop Putting Yourself Last
For the moms in the back: take time for YOU.
We can’t keep running on empty and expect to be the best moms, wives, friends, or employees. You can’t help others with their oxygen masks if yours isn’t on first! Start small—even if it’s just five minutes of intentional self-care.
Stop Searching for the Old You
The old Ann? She’s gone. And honestly, so is the old you.
But here’s the thing: we’re stronger now. We’re more resilient, more patient, more capable than we ever were before. Instead of trying to go back, let’s embrace this new version of ourselves and give her the love and acceptance she deserves.
Be Patient with Yourself
Motherhood is already the hardest job in the world. And on top of that, we pile on more roles—wife, sister, daughter, friend, employee. We wear so many hats, and somehow, we expect ourselves to master them all immediately.
It’s time to give ourselves some grace. Be patient. Be kind. You are doing enough.
Communicate How You Feel
I’m lucky to have found an amazing group of moms who just get it. But not everyone has that built-in support system, and trust me—it makes a difference.
Talk to your spouse, a friend, a therapist—someone. You don’t have to carry the weight of this alone. Find a way to let it out in whatever way serves you best.
Set Attainable Goals
Let’s be real: losing 80 pounds and fitting into my high school jeans? Not happening right now. Going out Thursday through Sunday like I used to? Also not happening.
But you know what is possible?
- Drinking one more glass of water a day.
- Scheduling dinner with a friend.
- Booking one gym class this week.
Small, realistic steps in the direction we want to go. Because even the tiniest progress is still progress.
Getting Our Pink Back. Mom life is hard. So hard. We’ve all lost a little bit of our pink. A little bit of our sparkle. A little bit of us.
But I truly believe that this is the year we start taking it back. Whether it’s through self-care, reconnecting with old passions, or simply being kinder to ourselves, I hope we all get back some of that beautiful color—in whatever way makes us feel like us again.
Here’s to getting our pink back—and keeping it this time.
