Dr. Gertrude talks with Working Mom Balanced Podcast Host Nelly Alba about creating the life you want as a mother. As an ambitious, career-oriented person, Nelly found the typical work-life balance advice ineffective and negative.  After suffering a breakdown living according to what moms “should do,” she consciously decided to live differently than the blogs suggested. She began her business of blogging, podcasting, and mentoring other working moms while also raising two children and being the director of a non-profit organization.  Nelly and Dr. Gertrude discuss the importance of self-awareness and self-discovery before making huge life changes. If we don’t know how we want change to look, it's easy to fall into old habits and do what we think other people want, ignoring ourselves.  Nelly shares her experiences rewriting the mother codes, including establishing healthier family boundaries and supporting her partner, who is a stay-at-home father. Nelly details some of the softer tools she uses to prevent stress and dispel negativity in the long term. Episode Outline: (00:48) Dr. Gertrude's life update (07:08) Nelly Alba’s journey to Working Mom Balanced  (15:24) Balance is not found its created (20:41) Biggest mother codes Nelly rewrote (27:28) Connecting to your vision (32:36) Deciding to be a stay-at-home dad (39:33) Tools for stress management (45:24) What does rewrite the mother code mean for Nelly (46:35) Dr. Gertrude’s wrap-up Connect with Nelly Alba: Listen to Working Mom Balanced Podcast Learn more on Nelly’s website Download Nelly’s free clarity journal Connect with Dr. Gertrude:  Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the 2024 Spring Equinox Self-Mothering Retreat at https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/spring-equinox-24