Today we’d like to introduce you to Aishat Badmus.
Hi Aishat, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As someone who did not grow up in the States, I did not realize how little support there is for mothers here. I am originally from the UK, and I always thought I would have my children there, so I imagined I would benefit from the support of my family and the benefits the UK government has in place for parents. However, in 2018 I moved to the States, and after I had both of my daughters, I realized just how little support there is for mothers in this country and how the challenges mothers face are not discussed in public, especially to expecting mothers. As a result of this, mothers, including myself, are left feeling blindsided and without the appropriate resources to get the help and support that they need postpartum. Not long after my first daughter, I started writing in a journal about the feelings, thoughts, and experiences that I was encountering, at times expressing myself through poetry. It wasn’t until I had my second daughter that I began publishing my journal entries as a weekly blog to share my experiences with fellow and future mothers. I wanted to highlight the very real experiences that come with motherhood and not just the romanticized version we are fed in the media. I started to get a lot of feedback from women who could relate and were grateful that I was speaking up. My experiences seemed to allow people permission to share their own struggles without the fear of judgement. I then started creating content alongside my blog to build a space for discussion and community in the motherhood arena. Through my endeavors, I began connecting with more women around the world and realized the lack of support is worldwide, declining rapidly since COVID-19. In the coming months and years, I will be working towards writing for the wider motherhood community, collaborating with more women in this arena to create a louder conversation, bigger voice, and to be part of the change we as mothers need more than ever. I am slowly providing something that I wish I had during my early years of motherhood – solidarity.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
For me, this journey has not been smooth because of what it has forced me to face. This journey has required me to be open, vulnerable, and that is something I have struggled with throughout my life. Opening yourself up to criticism and hate from people who do not know you is one of the risks you take with putting your experiences in the spotlight. There have been times when criticism has almost stopped me from trying to help others. My own struggles with postpartum pressures and challenges (mentally) have had me questioning myself and my ability to complete what I have set out to do. However, I believe in the support and community I am determined to build. Day by day, I am more confident in what I am trying to achieve, and that gives me the strength to keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
From a young age, I was always creative in the form of art and writing. However, I was steered towards a more vocational path. As I get older, I have found that this creative side of me is what fulfills me the most. I am proud of myself for having the courage to finally pursue this part of me while using it to connect with women and mothers going through challenges and needing their voices to be heard. I am excited about the ideas I have to reach more people through podcasts, books, and courses, and put those ideas into action to provide support and help to this community. I have had to overcome a lot of insecurity and self-doubt to be able to finally veer off the safe path I have been on thus far and pursue something I am very passionate about. I’ve learnt that true happiness and contentment comes when you finally let go of the preconceived idea of what you think your life should look like based on how you’ve been conditioned and embrace the opportunities that feel more authentic for you. The Good Mutha is a brand I am planning on growing to help women all over the world go against what we have been taught by society. We are made to believe we should put ourselves last, suffer in silence, and not ask for what we deserve, especially as mothers. My brand is working on improving those conversations and allowing women to find the power within.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My drive and consistency. When I am passionate about something I want to accomplish, I put my mind to researching and understanding how to reach my goal, and I make it a point to be consistent. Even on the days where I find motivation lacking, I always try to remember why I set out to achieve this in the first place. I know the changes I want to make for women like me and the positive impact it could have for even a handful of people, and that is enough for me to stay driven and focused on the task at hand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegoodmutha.substack.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/thegoodmutha/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoodMutha
- Other: linktr.ee/thegoodmutha
Image Credits
Ibrahim Badmus
Cindy Ocran
Giselle Mateo-Flynn
Amy Mateo
Blessing Adesiyan
