It all begins with Hanneke Peeters, a 42-year-old resident of Haarlem. Together with her partner Clint, she founded "Rock Your World" in 2018. Her mission is clear: to help women take better care of themselves so they can lead their lives the way they want to. Above all, to be the mother they want to be. Hanneke is a mother herself to Fitz (11) and Louie (5). In an open conversation, owner Katrien de Ruijter of MAMALOVES delves deeper into Hanneke's mission to help women embrace self-care, discussing the transformative journey she underwent as a mother.
Pregnancy: the beginning of a significant change
"I remember the most significant change in my life, which began about 8 years ago. In my mid-twenties, I saw many friends around me struggling with issues like burnouts and visits to psychologists. Although these topics were extensively discussed during dinners, I could never really identify with these challenges. I grew up in a stable environment, with no divorced parents and no one seriously ill. In my eyes, everything was going well." "The change came with my pregnancy, which I casually mentioned to my friends. I didn't really think about it and had my own lunchroom where I worked hard at the time. The birth didn't seem like something to worry about, as so many women become mothers, right? But the reality was different."
A challenging start to motherhood
"For me, becoming a mother was a profound experience. I unconsciously had various assumptions about how motherhood should be and how I should feel. But in reality, I didn't feel a real connection with myself and my child." "Although things were actually going well despite some lack of sleep, I felt restless. I struggled to live in the moment and found it difficult, for example, to not be on my phone in the playground.
"My relationship with my partner also became a struggle. Both of us longed for peace, but everything felt heavy and unnatural. I felt trapped and lonely."
"That's when I realized that I wasn't the mother I wanted to be. My partner and I decided to separate, and I took a decisive step by traveling to Bali alone. In hindsight, this turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made."
Only when I realized that there were different styles of parenting and that I could let go of my own expectations, could I become the mother I wanted to be.
The transformation
Bali opened Hanneke's eyes to her own stress level, which she hadn't even noticed before. She says, "I was forced to take a break and discovered that I actually didn't know how to do that. My restlessness manifested immediately upon arrival at the retreat. I wanted to go away, do something, and couldn't deal with the silence." "After a series of treatments, including healing, massages, and yoga, I suddenly felt an unprecedented calmness descend upon me after seven days. This was a turning point. From that moment on, everything changed." "The experience in Bali brought me back to my basics, and I realized that things needed to be different. I organized a retreat in Ibiza and also spent a week there with my son. This was a turning point where I spent true one-on-one time with my child for the first time. It was an intense but valuable experience."
The founding of Rock Your World
Hanneke discovered that she could help others and gained more and more clients. It was her new partner who came up with the idea to find a way to support more people on a larger scale.
"A common theme she encountered with women was the overwhelming feeling of guilt and the vicious cycle they sometimes find themselves in. Women know what they need to do to feel better, such as exercising, but don't do it, which makes them feel bad again. This led to the idea of creating a platform that was accessible, where women felt comfortable, and where they didn't have to do too much."
"I grew up in a family with a nurturing mother. I had a worldview of motherhood based on my own experiences. There was a continuous internal conflict because she wanted to both venture into business and be creative and be the best mother. I was ambitious and found it difficult to ask for help. Only when I realized that there were different styles of parenting and that I could let go of my own expectations could I become the mother I wanted to be."
"Rock Your World's platform offers women a range of tools, from self-care products and coaching to meditations, retreats, and valuable knowledge. The goal is to make self-care and well-being more accessible to everyone."
5 practical tips for women: Selfcare in action
Hanneke Peeters emphasizes that self-care is not just a concept but something that can be put into practice daily. She shares 5 tips to help women integrate self-care and well-being into their daily lives:
1. Start with yourself: Increase your self-awareness
"Self-awareness is the key to self-care. I advise women to take the time to look deep within themselves. Ask yourself questions like: Who am I? What do I really want? What do I need to be happy? Answering these questions can help women better understand their priorities and needs, enabling them to take better care of themselves."
2. Hormonal balance
The first 42 days after birth "Hormonal balance is crucial, especially during the first 42 days after birth. Avoiding things like coffee can contribute to maintaining a healthy hormonal balance. Building up a hormonal imbalance in this period can have a long-term effect on the mother's health, so it's essential to pay attention to this."
3. Physical contact with yourself and your child
"To relax and let go, physical contact is essential. Treat yourself, for example, to a relaxing foot massage with oil. This can help create a deeper sense of well-being. A special tip for mothers: massage your child's feet before bedtime, using a calming body and bath oil. This ritual can be soothing for both mothers and children and create a special bond."
4. Phone off, 1-on-1 time, and rituals
"Reduce distractions, such as phones, and create moments of genuine attention. For example, when taking your child to school, leave the phone at home. Instead, walk hand in hand and be together. I consider this a ritual, a special moment that deepens the connection between mother and child."
5. Selfcare is not always alone
While self-care is often associated with individual activities, Hanneke reminds us that it can also be a shared experience. "People crave connection, especially with loved ones. I encourage women not to confuse 'me-time' with the obligation to be alone. Being with friends, laughing, and having deep conversations can bring a sense of lightness and well-being into women's lives. Being together can be as empowering as spending time alone." "Try to put these tips into practice and make self-care an integral part of your daily life. By investing in yourself and the people around them, women may be able to lead a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life, regardless of the challenges that motherhood brings."
More information?
With Rock Your World, Hanneke Peeters guides mothers on their journey to balanced and healthy motherhood. Her own experiences and transformation have given her the wisdom to help others find their own path as mothers. Learn more about her business on the Rock Your World website.
