Category: Echale Ganas

Ya girl is baaaack — and now with two kids!

Before diving into my postpartum journey the second time around and sharing the lessons I’ve learned, I want to start by celebrating anyone who has ever gone through pregnancy and postpartum. We hear all the time that it’s “hard,” but honestly, that’s an understatement. The mental, emotional, and physical energy it takes to grow a human — let alone raise one while navigating a completely new version of yourself and your life — is indescribable.

The transition into motherhood, especially the first time, can be filled with emotions we aren’t prepared for, making us feel like we must be doing something wrong. But hear me out: you’re doing everything right. These feelings are temporary, and you are doing amazing — ¡lo estás haciendo muy bien!

My first postpartum experience was exactly what I just described — overwhelming, scary, and nothing like I expected. After a 40-hour labor, I ended up having a c-section, and my baby spent an entire month in the NICU. I was NOT prepared to leave the hospital without my baby. I was terrified of losing him and overwhelmed with thoughts that maybe I had made a mistake. At one point, I even fantasized about running off to Europe on a one-way flight to escape the weight of everything I was feeling. I know, I know — you’re probably like, “Girl, what?!” But please don’t judge. The baby blues are real. They bring irrational thoughts that don’t feel like “you,” but the physical and emotional intensity can make them feel so real.

As wild as that all sounds, it’s normal. And thankfully, with my second — who’s now three months old (I still can’t believe it!) — I was better prepared for what postpartum would bring. So when the waves of sadness and anxiety came, I didn’t panic. Instead, I allowed myself to feel them, and surprisingly, surrendering to the process helped everything pass more quickly. By two months postpartum — and after a second c-section — I finally felt like myself again.

So mentally and emotionally, the bounce back was a win. Physically, it went smoother than the first time too. All this to say: becoming a new mom is hard and scary because no one can truly prepare you for the rollercoaster you’re stepping onto. Every baby, pregnancy, and postpartum journey is different — which means every birth is also the birth of a new version of you.

Postpartum burnout

I see you, amiga.

The brain fog from sleep deprivation. The struggle to function beyond your basic needs. Getting irritated by people just existing near you, and then feeling guilty for it. Wanting so badly to get into a routine because happy mom = happy baby, but it feels impossible to find time for yourself. Wondering if you’ll ever reconnect with the things you used to love — your hobbies, your passions.

I see you… because I am you.

We gotta give ourselves grace and time

Here’s your permission slip to give yourself grace.

Breathe. Stop trying to do everything at once. Let go of spiraling thoughts about the future or regrets about the past — you don’t have control over either. What you do have control over is today. And today is the foundation for tomorrow.

Because here’s the truth: physical recovery from childbirth takes time — not a month, not even two. It can take a year or more. On top of that, you’re caring for a brand new human, trying to maintain your home, preparing to go back to work, and returning to your relationships as someone who feels completely different.

There’s so much pressure to “bounce back” quickly, especially when we see others on social media seemingly doing it all just two weeks postpartum. But remember: you’re only seeing a highlight reel.

Take me, for example. I feel pretty good two months postpartum. It seems like I’ve bounced back quickly — and in some ways, I have. But physically, my scar area is still numb. I can fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans, but my belly still bulges due to diastasis recti. Mentally and emotionally? I still disassociate sometimes. I’m often just going through the motions, not as intentional as I’d like to be. I have no routine yet, and I’m already back at work. The last half of my maternity leave was rough, filled with unexpected challenges that shook my sense of stability. Yet, to the outside world, it might look like I’ve “bounced back.”

Exhibit A of fake “bounce back”. It may look like I have it all together but this outfit was a look good, feel good moment cause your girl was going through it – instability, uncertainty, and lots of waiting in this season despite what it looks like from the outside.

But what does that even mean?

“Bouncing back” is subjective. You can’t rely on someone else’s version of it to validate your own progress. Instead, rely on the truth:

You are strong. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God gave you everything you need for this exact moment.

There is so much power in that.

How to manage and prevent burnout

Adjust Expectations

You don’t have to do it all — and certainly not all at once. Prioritize what matters most to you. Focus on your top 1–2 priorities and let those guide your daily choices. Everything else can be spaced out and tackled one thing at a time.

Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Please sleep when you can. Nap when the baby naps (sometimes, yes, it is possible). Hand the baby off to your partner if you can. Ask for help. A well-rested mama can do more in an hour than a sleep-deprived one can in a day.

Set Boundaries

Say no. Protect your energy. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but if you want to offer one, that’s okay too. Modeling boundaries isn’t just for your sake — it teaches your children that saying no is healthy and respectable.

Ask for and Accept Help

I struggle with this one. I have an amazing support system, but I hate asking for help. I feel guilty, like I have to repay every kind gesture. But the truth is: the people who love you aren’t keeping score. So let’s do better. Ask for help — and more importantly, accept it when it’s offered.

Simplify Your Routine

Keep. It. Simple.

Healthy breakfasts don’t have to be fancy — boil some eggs, wash some fruit. Don’t wait for the perfect planner — use your phone’s notes app. Don’t stress about a full workout — walk to the park, do a few squats, and call it a win. It’s not hard, amiga — we just make it harder than it needs to be.

Make Time for Yourself

This is a game changer. Even 30 minutes before your babies wake up can make a difference. Take a peaceful shower. Go on a solo walk. Pray. Journal. Whatever fills your cup — do that. I don’t do this every day, but when I do? The shift in my attitude is major.

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (psalm 118:24)

Motherhood is chaos — especially in those early months. It’s full of interruptions and curveballs. But right there, in the mess, is where we learn to let go, build resilience, and flow with life instead of fighting it.

Start celebrating progress over perfection. Maybe you only finished half your workout — but at least you showed up. You didn’t finish writing the whole song — but at least you strung together the chorus. Motherhood is the hood of “at least”:

“At least I started.”

“At least I tried.”

“At least I did what I could.”

That mindset will carry you further than any to-do list ever will.

Find joy in this season – keyword: find. Because even if it’s messy and loud and nothing like what you expected there’s nothing a little gratitude can’t shift.

Creative projects can wait. That next idea can wait. But your babies at this exact age? That moment won’t come again.

And that’s not to guilt anyone — sometimes, you do need time away. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. If your intentions are rooted in love, growth, and becoming a better version of yourself for your family — then that’s what matters most.

Final thoughts

If anything in this blog post resonated with you, please know: you are not alone. I’m right here with you. And most importantly, God sees you.

Remember — to whom much is given, much is required. These challenges are refining you. They are preparing you for greater things.

So ask for help. Lean on your village. The people who love you want to be there for you.

Echémosle ganas, amigas.

Como mamás, siempre encontramos la forma de seguir adelante — porque así tiene que ser.

No te rindas.

Mereces todo lo que tienes… y más.

— Jesse

All the times I’ve been in an interview for a job or meeting someone new, it’s hard for me not to mention that I sing and write songs. That’s why I’m there—to fuel my dream. Most people respond with, “Oh, that’s nice,” which I hear as, “Oh, that’s a cute hobby.” I never take it personally, though, because I would probably think the same thing. It isn’t until they see a show or my social media that they go, “Ooooh, you SING SING.” Yeah, baby, I’ve been trying to tell you.

People’s reactions to our passions and aspirations are none of our business. But they can stir up self-doubt, especially if we’re older, have kids, are in school, are married, etc. As humans, we are wired to seek safety and avoid risks. So our brain automatically shifts into doubt mode:

“I’m X years old; who is going to want to listen to me?” “Nobody cares what moms have to say… especially a young one.” “I’m studying something that can actually make me money. Why would I keep pursuing what may actually just be my hobby?”

The doubts can go on and on. However, we have to remember that what other people think about our creative endeavors—and even what we tell ourselves sometimes—is none of our business. Let me take it a step further: your own doubts, or what you think are your own thoughts, have been fed to you. You don’t have to listen to them. It’s okay to acknowledge them without ruminating on them—just in case nobody has told you that before.

The Pressures

I understand the pressures from society, family, and social media. But we don’t have to abide by them. Just because you feel tension when you go against what is expected of you—or even just do something different from those around you—doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing it. This is where discernment and self-awareness come into play.

Starting this blog is the best personal example I can think of. Podcasts and blogs are part of my daily car rides and workdays. My favorite time of day is my commute to drop my little guy off in the morning. It’s when I feel the most alert, awake, and productive. It’s my me-time—just me and my coffee, learning something new or listening to someone’s story. But I wanted to find a podcast that spoke to creatives, specifically women creatives, and even more specifically, Latina creatives. I couldn’t find one that truly resonated with me, so I moved on with my day.

But then, I felt a conviction to create the podcast/blog I was searching for. I had tried launching podcasts before with no success. I told myself there was no way I had time between my personal life and my music. No way I could add this to my plate. So I pushed the idea aside. But two weeks later, the thought came back. It wouldn’t leave me alone. That doesn’t happen often, okay? So I thought, this has to be something God is calling me to do. I decided to obey, do my best, and stay consistent. Before launching, I wanted to do everything the right way—create a plan, build the website, make it look how I wanted, write a few blog posts in advance, and record some episodes. This time, I would be prepared. And here I am.

I’m really proud of my choice to start this, even though it felt impractical. I’m about to give birth to my second child, I’m releasing more music this year than ever before, and I have about 18,249,328 other responsibilities. But this project fulfills me in a way that music alone doesn’t.

Dealing with setbacks

And if you read my last blog or listened to my last episode, this is part of the journey, ok? There is nothing you can do about setbacks besides get back up y a darle mas duro, mami. Stop trying to be perfect; you never will be. And stop freaking out and spiraling when you get off track.

Growth is not making yourself feel guilty. It is analyzing what threw you off, accepting it, learning from it, and back to action.

Let’s get personal. The summer of 2023, I had just released my song “Serendipity” with its music video and I was super happy with it. I had worked so long on this song and a lot of people were involved in making the music video look amazing. But shortly after, I felt lost. I felt pressure. So long story short, I just stopped trying to pursue my music career (kind of… I never fully did). I stopped posting on social media. I stepped back from music to ask myself if I even really wanted the dream like that anymore. And at that season, the answer was no. I wanted my family. I wanted to be a better mom. I wanted to enjoy being and living without feeling like I was chasing a dream that I could never get to or felt like wasn’t even mine anymore. So the fall and winter of 2023, I can’t recall doing much creatively. But by the spring of 2024, I saw a music business program that was being offered in my city. I applied and said, if I get in, then we’re back, Jesse. And I got in.

The whole point of me sharing this pause with you is because it actually didn’t set me back. Those six months of rest and analyzing what I really wanted for my life were crucial. Because of that, I am more aligned with myself as an artist. I don’t need anybody to tell me my song needs this or that. I don’t need approval nor do I want it. I know and believe that my audience is out there and that I will find them. Todo a su tiempo. And because I took the time to build this strong mindset as an artist and figure out my why again—yes, it changes over time—I came back to my creativity with so much more freedom, flexibility, and my creativity and artistic self thank me in return by giving me ideas, inspiring me, and letting me be me.

So be kind to yourself—when you’re tired, when you’re too busy to even think about your craft, when you simply don’t want to do it, when you think you’re not made for this, or when you think that your creativity cannot be enough to sustain you. Take a breath and tell yourself that it’s okay and that there is time. Because as much as we want to make sure we get things done, we also want to make sure that we’re enjoying doing it and we’re doing it out of pure love and intention and not pressure, heaviness, and stress. Nada sale bien así, and you know it.

If you want to overcome self-doubt, try this:

• Identify Negative Thought Patterns: Shake your head and say, “This isn’t mine nor is it for me.” Keep doing this until it becomes second nature.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Write down everything you accomplished today, no matter how small.
• Visualize Success: Take 3-5 minutes daily to visualize your dreams. Faith is believing in what you can’t see yet.
• Create a Support System: Build a village of people who uplift and hold you accountable.

If you feel like you’ve failed, chill. It’s just a setback. Growth isn’t about guilt; it’s about learning and moving forward.

Be kind to yourself. Your creativity will pursue you just as much as you pursue it. Believe in it, because it’s yours. Keep pushing, amiga.