Innes Heywood
“I am challenged daily to surrender to the flow of motherhood and what my days now look like, beautiful and exhausting”
Name
Innes Heywood
Designer - Innes Lauren
Who makes up your family?
My partner Hadley, our 9 month old baby girl Flo and our dog Harrigan.
Can you describe your journey to motherhood?
To be honest, I didn't really have a plan around motherhood or when I would like to become a mother, I always knew I would love to have children and become a mother, I have always felt very maternal and really enjoyed watching the journey of those close to me become mothers. When we fell pregnant it was a huge surprise, but I felt in my body that it was meant to be, that she chose the most perfect timing.
How has your relationship with your work changed since becoming a mother?
There is less pressure from myself. Becoming a mother has made me realise what is really most important to me, to live a life of authenticity and honesty and to have the freedom to be able to spend time with Flo and Hadley. This is reflected in my business. I also just have less energy and time, I choose to rest when I need it vs work. These last 9 months I have had to really surrender to the idea that it’s not the chapter for my work, to lean into my feminine and care taking role for Flo.
Has your source of inspiration changed since becoming a mother?
I have definitely felt a lack of inspiration since becoming a mother however when I do feel inspired I come back to creating with authenticity and honesty which has a natural ease to it.
How do creativity and motherhood intersect in your daily life?
I am currently designing a baby girl swimsuit, this was definitely born from a moment of creativity and motherhood. Another one is the ways in which I play with Flo, or the things I give her to play with and explore.
How would you describe your postpartum?
So beautiful, it gives me goosebumps when I think about those first few weeks. We gave birth at home here in Coorabell, it was a gentle landing for Flo, as it was for my body. We spent the first 2 weeks at home, luckily we have views of nature and the ocean so it felt nourishing and cosy yet expansive. We had so many meals dropped off to us those weeks which made the load for Hadley much easier. As beautiful as those weeks were, they were also filled with lots of tears and sadness for me. I had postpartum depression which felt confusing and motherhood felt isolating. These emotions and hormones levelled out and it all felt lighter. Every month of postpartum feels so different, beautiful and challenging in equal measures.
What have been the greatest challenges?
I think just the huge adjustment from maiden to mother and all that comes with this, the responsibility of being a mother to a newborn, the lack of sleep or for me the fear of lack of sleep, freedom. I am challenged daily to surrender to the flow of motherhood and what my days now look like, beautiful and exhausting.
And what have been the greatest joys?
Feeling my heart break open with so much love, for myself, for all mums, for my partner, for my mother. Watching Flo dream feed. Listening to her giggle. Seeing the bond between Hadley and Flo and watching him play with her. Surprising myself with my capability as a mother.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice for postpartum what would it be?
Rest more, ask for more help, invest in more body work.
What self care practices or rituals did you find the most nourishing in early motherhood?
I had an oil blend that I made up during my pregnancy that I would put on my body after a shower. I enjoyed continuing this into early motherhood, or using caster oil on my belly before bed. I also loved the smell of lavender oil during my early postpartum period so I would rub this on my feet and burn some around the house.
What does the future for Innes Lauren hold?
I really am not sure, but I am excited to create a small range of swimsuits for baby girls and some women’s dresses. I also love the idea of a natural fibre swimsuit. I hope that I can find the balance between stability for our family but also allowing the flow of life and opportunity to take us anywhere in the world. I think possibility is always within reach of the imagination.
