On Living in a Culture that's Out of Balance
Reflections on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, cultural differences, and the imbalances we live in
Reflections On Being Human is a reader-supported publication. If you would like to create reciprocity for my work, gain the ability to comment on my posts, receive full-access to all of my articles as well as meditations, journal prompts, and mindfulness or somatic activities, then I invite you to become a paid subscriber. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Well, I’m 35 weeks pregnant and fatigue has arrived in full-force. I’m now finding myself spending large portions of my time either napping or resting.
A part of me knew this was going to happen. I knew I was going to get far too tired to keep trying to do it all… my body has instinctually been giving me signs for the last several weeks. I knew it was coming eventually because my big waves of energy to clean, organize, cook, run errands, exercise, etc. has been steady decreasing with time. Each week being notably different from the last.
A part of me wishes I could just hang out in a dark cave, completely disconnected from the noise of the world, and re-emerge whenever I and the baby both feel ready.
It feels extremely yin.
The desire for darkness.
The desire for coolness.
The desire for quiet.
The desire for all things to be calm and peaceful.
The desire for rest.
The desire to be as passive as possible.
The desire to simply be with whatever I’m feeling in the moment, whether it’s emotional or physical, with no need to “fix” or “solve” anything.
The desire to really look inward and just be with whatever is coming up.
And it makes sense. I have been told by Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners that pregnancy and labor is one of the most yin experiences a person can have.
Which, I mean — when I really think about it — if you’re not going to experience that during pregnancy, labor and childbirth then… when? There is a reason, after all, why “yin” has been more associated with feminine energy.
It’s hard for many of us to really go into that “yin” state because modern life (specifically in the US) is very much so not focused on prioritizing and valuing those things.
We’re highly focused on the “yang” way of being in the world, like…
Productivity.
Taking action.
Active moment.
Cardio exercise.
More intense strength exercise.
Being awake so you can do more and achieve more.
Creating structures and systems to make things more “efficient” and be completed quickly.
And so on.
I have to admit, because I’ve been raised in this culture and currently live in it, it’s been hard for me to be pregnant here. I’ve quickly realized that the culture itself isn’t at all in alignment nor supportive with what I’ve been learning my body’s and I’s needs are. I’ve been having to work against the cultural expectations to do more, and for my experience to look and be what this current US culture expects of me.
So this led me to wonder… how do other countries and cultures treat pregnant women? What are their practices postpartum? How do they support families and children in general?