New Mom Uses Color to Connect with Motherhood

By MARIE TABELA | Contributing Writer

Motherhood is filled with a roller coaster of emotions, starting from the very moment a pregnancy is confirmed.

It is not uncommon to have experiences that reach a level of happiness that can only be described as otherworldly on the exact same day that a feeling of profound loneliness can take over.

For one mother, Crystal Jochen of the Bluffs, the latter emotion came as a bit of a surprise.

“[Before COVID,] I already felt like I was in isolation as a new mom, and I wasn’t prepared for that because not a lot of people talked about that,” Jochen explained.

As a way to work through and understand these feelings, Jochen repurposed an idea she already had in the works on another topic: an adult coloring book. With the birth of her child, Cody Jochen (19 months), came the birth of her coloring book, “Mamantras: Meditations for Postpartum.”

“‘Mamantras: Meditations for Postpartum’ is a coloring book designed to help new mothers through the postpartum period,” according to a synopsis. “‘Mamantras’ is filled with beautiful illustrations alongside powerful affirmations every new mom should tell themselves.”

The coloring book features 36 pages of powerful mantras for new mothers alongside images drawn by Rowan Sterenberg of the Netherlands, an artist Jochen discovered on Instagram. Each image captures mothers from all different backgrounds and walks of life.

“I wanted a bottle feeding and breastfeeding picture, different ethnicities; I wanted every mom to be included in the book,” Jochen said.

The mantras emerged as a result of Jochen curating a list of negative things she had been telling herself. Her mindset changed after an appointment with her baby’s pediatrician. She encouraged Jochen to stop telling herself things like “breast is best,” as Jochen anguished over her struggles with breastfeeding, and focus more on the bigger picture by telling herself that rather “fed is best; there’s no wrong way to feed your baby.”

A light bulb went off for Jochen, and soon, a new list with positive affirmations materialized. From there, the positivity just kept flowing, and she realized she wanted to help other moms who may be feeling the same way.

“I really hope this book reaches new moms who are struggling like I was,” she shared. “I didn’t have a mom tribe, and I think it’s so important to have a community in this new season of life to give [them] encouragement and grace when [they] are struggling.”

The overarching message of the book is simple: Moms are not to be judged, nor are they to judge themselves. While geared toward postpartum mothers, the book still serves as a powerful reminder to mothers with children of any age that they are doing their best.

As Jochen reflected: “Every mom needs that reminder that she’s a good mom.”

To purchase a copy, visit crystaljochen.com or pick one up in person at Jochen Wellness Center in Beverly Hills.