27: Riding the Waves of Anxiety and Guilt in Motherhood

Redefining Us

Redefining Us
27: Riding the Waves of Anxiety and Guilt in Motherhood
Oct 02, 2025 Season 1 Episode 27
Stephanie Konter-O'Hara

Have you ever taken your first trip away from your baby and been blindsided by anxiety, guilt, or even intrusive fears? In this solo episode, Stephanie shares her raw experience of leaving her daughter for the first time and the unexpected emotions that surfaced.

Stephanie reflects on the way intrusive thoughts show up for parents, especially mothers, and how easy it is to slip into guilt for pursuing passions outside of parenthood. She speaks to the tension that exists between being present with your child and living in alignment with your own values. She highlights both the relief of connecting with other moms who share similar fears and the challenge of reconciling two seemingly opposing needs.

Her story normalizes the complexity of motherhood and reminds us that living fully often means holding space for two truths at once. It's okay to want to see every moment with your child and it's also okay to follow your own ambitions even if that means being away from them for a moment.

Learn more about the Redefining Us Monthly Community - https://wellmindedcounseling.com/redefining-us-community

Please leave us a review or rating! These help get the show out to more women like you wanting to have these conversations.

Would you like to chat more about this episode's topic? I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @wellmindedcounseling

I wrote a book! Becoming Mommy: Aligning with yourself and finding your voice during pregnancy and motherhood, available at all major retailers - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZT9P3RB?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_KFT90ZBDS48FDGG6DH5X&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_KFT90ZBDS48FDGG6DH5X&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_KFT90ZBDS48FDGG6DH5X&bestFormat=true

Where to find more from Redefining Us:
Website: wellmindedcounseling.com/redefining-us-pod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellmindedcounseling
Instagram: @wellmindedcounseling

If you want to support the show so we can continue sharing this content with others like you, you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Episode Artwork 27: Riding the Waves of Anxiety and Guilt in Motherhood 15:29 Episode Artwork 26: Giving Yourself Permission to Pivot 18:07 Episode Artwork 25: Breaking the Myths and Stigma Around Postpartum Depression with Courtney Miller 36:10 Episode Artwork 24: The Urgent Case for Comprehensive Sex Ed in a Changing World with Scotney Young 43:44 Episode Artwork 23: Motherhood, Matrescence, and the Healing Power of Art with Leanne Morton 45:19 Episode Artwork 22: The Truth About Fertility, Lab Work, and Being Told You're "Fine" with Lauren Mallers 48:23 Episode Artwork 21: The Truth About Perfectionism and the Good Girl Script with Brooke Jean, MA, LPC 44:07 Episode Artwork 20: The Truth About Infant Feeding and Why Parents Deserve Better with Valana Frohardt 41:12 Episode Artwork 19: Redefining Miscarriage as Birth Grief and Transformation 30:34 Episode Artwork 18: Authentic Marketing That Feels Good to Create with Joanne Homestead 36:42 Episode Artwork 17: Using Body Neutrality to Navigate Change and Build Confidence with Eada Gendelman 26:40 Episode Artwork 16: Mothering the Mother: Honoring our Grief with Kelle Myers 34:23 Episode Artwork 15: Midlife Priceless: Reinventing Yourself at Any Age with Sairan Aqrawi 44:44 Episode Artwork 14: The Connection Between Disordered Eating and Nervous System Dysregulation with Ashlyn Burnett 31:59 Episode Artwork 13: Redefining Rest, and Overcoming Overwhelm with Caitlin Morris 35:23 Episode Artwork 12: Embracing Pleasure and Redefining Sexuality with Dr. Rosalyn Dischiavo 30:49 Episode Artwork 11: Talking Money and Motherhood with Financial Therapist Khara Croswaite Brindle 41:09 Episode Artwork 10: Redefining Motherhood and All It's Imperfections 17:49 Episode Artwork 9: Breaking Myths About Domestic Violence and Finding Support with Sybil Cummin 40:08 Episode Artwork 8: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health with Cre Chritz 31:30 Episode Artwork 7: Exploring Motherhood Through IFS and Human Design with Heidi Lindeman 38:30 Episode Artwork 6: Body Image, Eating Behaviors, and Rewiring Our Relationship to Food 29:14 Episode Artwork 5: SAHM What Inspired Her to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom 53:23 Episode Artwork 4: Acting & Aligning with Ourselves 19:12 Episode Artwork 3: Navigating the Journey into Motherhood 27:24