Sleep training gave you the rest. Now it’s time to use that energy, joy, and space to take small (or mighty) steps toward your own dreams.
Guest Contribution by Nadine Stille
I’ll admit it – we waited a long time before diving into sleep training. Not because we didn’t want to sleep (believe me, we did). But because baby #2 was on the way and we had been holding onto a lot of the common myths and worries many parents have: What impact would it have on our close relationship with our child? Wasn’t this type of sleep chaos normal and we just needed to wait out this current phase? Is it selfish to want uninterrupted rest and pay someone to help us? Would it even work?
Turns out, the biggest surprise wasn’t that sleep training with Rosalie from Plume Sleep worked – it’s how much it changed our entire family dynamic for the better.
Our kid did gain more self-confidence by learning a new skill, and started sleeping better (and longer). Suddenly, evenings weren’t just about drawn-out bedtime chaos any longer. But we found calm and time for ourselves.
And with more time and energy at our hands, an unexpected question popped up:
Now that kiddo’s sleeping… what do I want?
You Got Through Sleep Training – So What’s Next for YOU?
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely made it to the other side of the sleepless-night tunnel. Your child is sleeping more consistently, everyone’s lives at home have calmed a little, and you’re starting to rediscover what it means to have a tiny bit more time to yourself.
So, what now?
For many parents – especially moms – this moment brings a mix of relief and restlessness. We’ve spent so long responding to others’ needs that when space opens up and we have consistently more calm moments for ourselves, we’re not always sure what to do with it.
That’s why I want to gently ask:
What about your own dreams?
Reconnect with yourself beyond parenthood
When was the last time you thought about something that was just for you?
Now that your child is sleeping, it might be the perfect time to reconnect with the parts of yourself that got tucked away during the sleep-deprived months (or years). Here are a few gentle prompts to explore:
- What did you daydream about and envision for yourself before becoming a parent?
- Is there a project, idea, or passion that you can’t stop thinking about or asking yourself: ‘What if…?’
- What lights you up, gives you energy, and drives you – even just a little?
You don’t need a 5-year plan and have it all figured out to begin thinking about your own dreams again. You just need some space, your own permission, and a willingness to let yourself want something more.
5 Tiny, Totally Doable Ways to Pursue Your Own Dreams (Even if You’re Still Tired)
No pressure to start a business or write a novel next week. This is about small, powerful steps that honor who you are and what you want.
- Keep a “Just for Me” journal – Capture one thought, one idea, one feeling per day.
- Set a 10-minute dream timer – Use it for writing, creating, meditating, or anything that connects you to you.
- Sign up for a low-pressure, flexible class or workshop – Think fun, not “productive.”
- Do one thing a week that feels “unproductive” but deeply joyful and doesn’t require a lot of preparation – Start dancing in your kitchen, or going for a walk by yourself.
- Talk about your own dreams out loud – To someone you trust and will cheer you on – a friend, your partner, or even your kid (they’ll love seeing your eyes light up).
These small actions build momentum and boost your confidence and joy levels. They remind you that your own dreams are valid and definitely worth tending to.
5 Mighty Tips For Parents Who Are Feeling Ready To Take On More In Pursuit Of Their Own Dreams
But maybe you’re feeling fired up and ready for something a little bigger. If you’ve got more energy or support right now, here are a few mighty moves you can explore:
- Reignite a career goal or business idea that’s been waiting in the wings – even if it means updating your resume or writing a business plan nap by nap.
- Pitch a passion project – whether it’s launching a podcast, writing a book, or starting a community initiative.
- Carve out time for yourself – give yourself permission to delegate tasks, set boundaries and expectations, ask for help, and let others support you while you grow.
- Carve out and schedule in regular “I mean business” time each week to plan, build, and take bold steps toward your long-term dream.
- Build your dream team and lean on your parent support village – that could include a mentor, coach, or trainer to grow your skills and confidence – just like you’ve done with getting sleep training support.
If tiny steps open the door, these bigger moves can help you walk boldly through it.
Wanting More Isn’t Selfish – It’s Powerful
Let’s rewrite this story together:
Wanting sleep and wanting time for yourself and your own dreams doesn’t make you selfish – it makes you human, relatable, and a wonderful role model for your children.
When you start pursuing your own dreams – whether that’s starting a passion project, changing careers, or simply reclaiming more ‘me-time’ and joy – you’re also showing courage, curiosity, motivation, and self-trust for your children. That’s powerful.
The smallest shifts will have a ripple effect and can make a big difference.
When I started spending time on things that mattered to me – reading, dreaming, moving my body again – I showed up more confident, energized, and connected as a parent, too.
A Quick-Start Framework for Reclaiming Your Own Dreams
If you’re ready to begin, here’s a tiny roadmap:
- Name your dream – even if it’s messy or half-formed. Seeing it written down and hearing it as you say it out loud makes it real.
- Pick your “dream slot” – 10 minutes, one evening, or one nap window a week, then schedule it in your calendar and make it a non-negotiable ‘me-time’.
Track your progress in feelings, not just tasks. Did it bring you joy? Energy? Peace?
You’re Already Doing the Hard Things – Let This Part Feel Good
You’ve done the 3am wake-ups, the pacing, the worrying, the questioning. You’ve navigated hard decisions and you made it through.
You’ve got the ‘adding more rest’ part covered.
This next part?
Let it be about adding joy. Let it be about reconnecting with your own dreams.
Take five minutes today to ask yourself:
What would I love to do, just for me?
And let that be the start of something beautiful.
Want More Support?
🌙 Still figuring out your family’s sleep rhythm? Rosalie and the entire Plume Sleep Team have brilliant tools as well as gentle and assuring guidance. Check out Plume Sleep Resources.
🌱 Ready to start dreaming again, even just a little? Grab my free Nurture Mama bundle with guided meditations, affirmations, and a self-love journal to help you feel calm, confident, and ready to go after your dreams.
You’ll also join my newsletter for regular encouragement, doable steps, and that “you’ve got this” energy – straight to your inbox.
Nadine Stille helps ambitious parents blend real-life family chaos with their big dreams – whether it’s a bold career pivot or reclaiming time for what lights them up. With over 15 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, Nadine brings both strategic know-how and deep empathy to her coaching practice. She’s trained and certified in multiple coaching modalities and supports clients around the globe in taking meaningful steps – big or small – toward the life they truly want. Her approach combines real talk, gentle accountability, and a focus on rest, joy, and what truly energizes you. When she’s not coaching or chasing after her two little ones, you’ll likely find her with a novel in one hand and cake in the other.
Check out her youtube channel here, and follow along on instagram!