This week we are featuring Kristiana, Founder of The Cause Bar.

First name: Kristiana

Age: 40

How many kids: 2

Their ages: 5 and 2

1) How has motherhood surprised you most? 

How you just figure it out - you kind of have no choice!  There is no book, lesson or amount of practice that can prepare you for the real life of motherhood that's about to happen....and it can be extremely overwhelming.  But as mothers and women, we have been blessed with our intuition and guts, and I've relied on both so much for the past 5 years.

2) What is a typical day like? 

While no day is ever identical, we do have some consistencies!  Never a need for an alarm as our 5yo so poignantly wakes us up each morning by 6:30A (sweet!) and our daughter soon follows.  Breakfast, hugs, 4-5 reminders to brush his teeth and tie his shoes for our son before we walk him off to school.  I typically spend the mornings with our daughter going for a run or doing a mommy & me workout class, before enjoying some time at the park, beach, music, gym, or dance class, and then we have lunch together.  Having just launched my own business, my afternoons are spent focusing on work, and we always do dinner time sitting down together - that's the most important part of our day.  If my husband or I have an event, we really do our best to schedule them for after dinner, or even after the kids are down for bed.

3) What is the biggest challenge?

Not feeling guilty about taking time for myself.  Launching a business is like having a 3rd child, so you can feel spread thin very easily - and when mama's spread thin, it's not fun for anyone.  I try really hard to remember to take even just a few minutes to myself - to feel the sun, go for a walk, catchup with a friend.  It can be really hard to find the time and then to take it when you find the time because you always wonder "what else could I be doing for the kids and the family right now?"  But taking those moments keeps me sane, and in turn, keeps our home sane :)

4) What is the biggest joy?

The moments I get to see their real personalities come out - whether it's their creativity, competitiveness, or when they're helping out a friend, showing their sense of humor (including sarcasm which is something they definitely inherited from their parents)!  It's just so surreal to see these tiny humans continue to form each and every day and develop into their own unique personalities!

5) What is the best piece of Mom advice you've been given or would give?

In addition to the above #3 where I stress the importance of not feeling guilty about taking those much needed moments for yourself, I would say don't ever feel the need to be perfect because despite what anyone says - or that social media might portray - no-one is!  We're all figuring out this motherhood thing each and every day and we all mess up!

6) How do you unwind after the kids go to bed? 

Playing the guitar while drinking a glass of wine.

About The Cause Bar:

We all want to make a positive impact in more than just a reactive, emergency relief or holiday giving basis. But in this busy world, the majority are lacking the time, energy, and inspiration on how to live a more social good lifestyle. The Cause Bar exists to inspire, connect, and equip busy change makers to live out the lifestyle of positive change they wish to see in the world.