My PostNatal Healing
Applying Innate Traditions to My Postpartum Healing Journey
In my postpartum healing journey, I’ve deeply explored the integration of innate traditions and practices to help heal my body, mind, and spirit. This self-study has been an eye-opening experience, revealing the power of these ancestral practices to support emotional, physical, and spiritual recovery during this sacred time. In particular, the Closing of the Bones ceremony played a pivotal role in helping me process pain, grief, and emotional burdens from my birth experience and other decisions surrounding motherhood.
Closing of the Bones Ceremony: A Powerful Tool for Containment and Release
The Closing of the Bones ceremony was one of the most profound experiences of my postpartum journey. Rooted in ancient traditions, this ceremony involves physically and energetically closing the body to restore a sense of containment, healing, and wholeness. When I first encountered the ceremony, I didn’t fully understand the power it held. After experiencing it, I immediately recognized how deeply it impacted me. The ceremony helped me feel grounded and supported as I entered a space of stillness, allowing me to connect with my body in a way that I hadn’t since giving birth.
The ritual involved a physical massage and the wrapping of my body, which provided a sense of deep physical containment. But the real healing came through the emotional and spiritual release I experienced. I was able to let go of unresolved pain and sadness from my birth, including the trauma I had not fully processed at the time. The ceremony gave me the space to release emotions tied to the decisions I made in my early motherhood journey—such as the decision to not have another baby, my approach to weaning, and the sleep training methods I had employed. I had previously held onto guilt and regret about these choices, believing I had made profound mistakes, but the ceremony allowed me to let go of those narratives and accept that I had done the best I could in each moment.
Embracing an Ancestral Diet: Nourishing My Body with Fats and Meat
Another key element in my healing journey has been shifting my diet to align more closely with ancestral traditions, particularly focusing on nourishing foods like fats and meat. Before delving into ancestral wisdom, my diet was largely plant-based and low in animal fats, a choice driven by perceived economical benefits and health ideals at the time. However, after learning about the ancestral diet and the importance of nutrient-dense foods for postpartum recovery, I decided to make a change.
I began incorporating more traditional fats like bone broth, ghee, and organ meats into my meals, and I noticed a significant difference in how my body responded. I felt more energized, more balanced, and less prone to mood swings. My digestion has improved, and I regained a sense of vitality that had been lacking before. This shift in diet has not only been physically revitalizing but has also helped me to embrace my body’s needs more deeply. I’ve realized that nourishing my body with the right foods supports my healing process on a cellular level, helping me recover more fully from the demands of motherhood and childbirth.
Slowing Down and Going Inward: A Lesson in Patience and Grace
In addition to diet and ceremony, one of the most transformative changes I’ve made is allowing myself to slow down and focus inward, rather than rushing. After the birth of my daughter, I fell into the trap of trying to “bounce back” quickly, pushing myself to return to pre-birth activities and expectations as soon as possible. This rush to reclaim my life left me feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from my body’s needs. I didn’t honor the deep rest my body required, nor did I allow myself the time to process the emotional and physical shifts that come with becoming a mother.
Four and a half years postpartum, I’ve learned to give myself the grace I didn’t offer during my early months of motherhood. I’ve intentionally created space in my life for rest, reflection, and gentleness. I’ve been more mindful of the importance of rest, not only for my body’s recovery but for my emotional and mental well-being as well. Taking time to rest, nurture myself, and go inward has allowed me to find a deeper sense of calm and ease in my day. This shift has helped me cultivate a healthier relationship with my postpartum experience, allowing me to embrace the process of healing without pressure.
Incorporating innate traditions into my postpartum healing journey has been nothing short of transformative. The Closing of the Bones ceremony helped me release pent-up emotions and find peace with the decisions I had made as a mother. Shifting to an ancestral diet has revitalized my body and mind, giving me the nutrients I need to heal and thrive. And slowing down to focus on rest and inward reflection has allowed me to honor my body’s natural rhythms and restore balance. This self-study has deepened my connection to myself and my own healing process, empowering me to move forward with grace and ease, trusting that healing is not linear but a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and honoring the wisdom of the body.
