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Mother’s Day 2024: The Art Of Motherhood

 Lizy Teo & Avantica Lopez

May 2024

In collaboration with Lizy Teo & Avantica Lopez

For Mother's Day 2024, DMK celebrates the resilience and beauty of mothers by recreating famous art pieces to showcase their strength and grace. With these iconic paintings, each masterpiece represents the timeless elegance of motherhood. Through their stories, we hope to empower all mothers to embrace their unique journey, stay true to themselves, and recognize that their motherhood journey is a work of art.

 

Read on as we delve into the courageous journeys of two inspiring mothers in our community — Stories of hardships faced, overcoming challenges, and the delicate balance between nurturing their children, pursuing a full-time career, and chasing after their dreams as women.

Lizy Teo as art

Inspired by artpiece - Arrange In Grey And Black No. 1, 1871  (Portrait of the Artist's Mother, Anna McNeill Whistler) by James Abbott Mcneill Whistler

Lizy Teo (@kylolizy)

 Content Creator, Entrepreneur, Young Mom

With more than four years of content creator experience, Lizy Teo (@kylolizy) is a well-known beauty and lifestyle influencer. What many may not realize is that she's also the owner of not one, but two businesses. Apart from being the driving force behind a wellness beauty studio for women, @omniastudiosg, she also owns a thriving car dealership company, @infinitecarsg. Balancing these ventures alongside her responsibilities as a young mother with grace and strength, Lizy's journey reflects how a woman can truly have it all.

Has the idea of motherhood always been part of your vision for the future?

Yes! I've always wanted to be a mother, though initially, my perception was largely influenced by social media, especially when I saw other young mothers share their journey. Experiencing motherhood firsthand made me fully grasp the responsibilities as a mom.

How has being a young mom influence your outlook on life, relationships, and future aspirations, especially considering your longstanding desire to become a mother?

"Becoming a mother at the age of 23 propelled me into a realm of maturity beyond my years"

All of a sudden, I found myself contemplating financial matters and long-term consequences with a gravity that surpassed the experiences of many of my peers. While this accelerated path to adulthood meant sacrificing certain aspects of what I could do in my younger days, the journey of motherhood has been immensely fulfilling for me - and I would not exchange it.

What part of being a mom brings you the most joy?

"The best part of motherhood is witnessing my son's growth and development"

Despite all the challenges of my journey, seeing him thrive makes everything worthwhile.

Lizy Teo as art

Inspired by artpiece - Portrait of the Artist's Mother (Katherine Cassatt), ca. 1889 by Mary Cassatt 

Overcoming Challenges in Motherhood

What are some of the misconceptions you've encountered about being a young mom? How did you address them?

One misconception is the assumption that young moms are irresponsible or incapable of supporting a family. While this may hold true in some cases, every individual's situation is unique. 

"For me, I focus on self-improvement rather than trying to disprove these stereotypes "

Could you share challenges that illustrate your journey of being a young mom, both in your early stages and at present?

Reflecting on my journey, a particularly challenging moment arose during the breastfeeding phase. The relentless cycle of feeding and pumping constantly throughout the day left me exhausted and overwhelmed. At night, I had to pump every two hours, and the feeding session lasted half an hour. Then, I had to wait another half an hour post-feeding for my body to return back to normalcy, leaving me with only half an hour to sleep. Apart from the lack of sleep, the bodily sensations post-pumping caused pain in certain areas.

"Breastfeeding can be a painful journey for women, and I have immense respect for mothers who continue this journey for many years "

Right now, ensuring my son doesn't fall under negative influences is my biggest challenge. As he grows, I worry about the impact of his surroundings on his behavior and values.

How has it been juggling between the different roles you have, and how has your support system helped you juggle your roles?

Balancing entrepreneurship, content creation, and motherhood is incredibly challenging. There's no perfect balance and I want to do everything — From spending more time with my son, to accelerating my businesses (Omnia Studio and Infinite Car), to quality time with my friends and for myself. Despite the challenges to find a balance, I actually find joy in the journey!

Nonetheless, I am fortunate to have a strong support system, including my mom, a helper, and supportive friends. They've helped me navigate the complexities of young motherhood, because it is true that raising a child takes a village. As someone who understands the importance of a strong support system, I really feel for moms that might not really be able to find support. Hence, there are times when I do podcasts about my motherhood journey to share advice, and would always be happy to help if anyone reaches out. 

 "Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It's not supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be worth it"

Lizy Teo as art

Inspired by artpiece - Ritratto della Madre (Potrait of Giorgio De Chirico's mother, Gemma Cervetto), by Giorgio De Chirico, 1911

How do you prioritize self-care and personal growth while fulfilling your role as a young mother?

Self-care is crucial for me, whether it's watching my favorite show before bed or listening to podcasts while multitasking. I also have a community on my Instagram called KyloKings, where I share my life learnings. Apart from helping others in the community, it also helps me retain what I've learned, and at times, as a bonus, the engagement with my community helps me feel better as well. 

Lizy's Words Of Advice

Let's extend our appreciation to all mothers, including ourselves. It's crucial to celebrate milestones and embrace the journey, from the miraculous experience of pregnancy to the ongoing challenges of motherhood. Take a moment to express gratitude and kindness, recognizing the unwavering dedication and boundless love that mothers pour into their roles every day.

"Find joy in challenging moments"

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Avantica Lopez as art

Inspired by artpiece - Girl In Red Dress With Cat And Dog, 1834 by Ammi Phillips American United States of America

Avantica Lopez (@avanticalopez)

Social Media Manager, Content Creator, Pet Mom

Balancing the responsibilities of a full-time job and multiple side hustles while caring for two energetic fur babies is no easy feat. As we honor the multifaceted roles of mothers, we also celebrate the unique bond between humans and their fur babies. Avantica Lopez shares her journey as a devoted pet mom to her beloved bunnies, where she exemplifies the nurturing spirit and unwavering love that defines pet motherhood in all its forms.

What made you decide to keep rabbits?

I've always loved them since I was young and I've been keeping bunnies since I was 7 years old.

 What lessons have you learned from being a pet mom and what role do they play in your life?

"Becoming a pet mom has made me more compassionate, kind, understanding, open-minded, and nurturing."

My bunnies play a huge role in my life; they're like my kids. They're the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I go to bed. They have taught me to listen before speaking, and encouraged me to advocate for voices that can't be heard (because bunnies can't bark). You really have to pay attention to their behaviors and observe them closely, which emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding. They impact my daily life profoundly, and I can't imagine a day without them.

What is the best part about being a pet mom?

The best part is waking up every day knowing that your “child” is eagerly waiting to see you. Coming home to them and seeing their excitement is truly heartwarming.

"It's probably my favorite part, just being able to wake up and return to them; that's what I really love."

Avantica Lopez as art

Inspired by artpiece - Woman on a Striped Sofa with a Dog, 1876 by Mary Cassatt

A Source of Comfort and Support

How have your bunnies contributed to your journey of personal growth and independence?

When they were babies, I was with them 24/7 and always keeping track that they had everything they needed. But now, I've become more relaxed, letting them do their own thing while I do mine. They've become more independent, just like me. And my bunnies provided support and comfort for the chaos in my life. They played a pivotal role in helping me overcome huge challenges in my life, including the death of a dear friend, even up till today. My bunnies have also pretty much become my best friends and they are definitely the "person" for me whenever I need a hug or cry it out.

"They are my rock and continue to be my best friends, providing comfort whenever I need it"

Overcoming Challenges of a Pet Mom

Could you share the challenges that illustrate your journey of being a young mom, both in your early stages and at present?

The hardest part is finding quality time to spend with them while balancing work and personal life. Some days, after a long day at work, I just want to rest but I need to fork out additional 2 hours with my bunnies. Admittedly, it is a little bit of a struggle, but its also an important struggle that I need to find a balance with.

"But I always remember that my bunnies need attention and love too"

How have you overcome challenges as a pet mom and how do you balance all the other responsibilities in life?

I balance my responsibilities by practicing discipline and prioritizing time with loved ones. I am a family-oriented person, a relationship with my pets is like a relationship with myself, an extended part of me. Hence, I make sure to make time for both my family and my "kids".

"Time is precious, and I make sure to allocate it wisely"

Avantica Lopez as art

Inspired by artpiece - Maja with Lapdog, 1865 by Eugenio Lucas Velázquez

 How do you prioritize self-care and personal growth while fulfilling your role as a pet mom?

Prioritizing self-care is essential, especially with my busy schedule. I've learned to put myself first and find balance between my responsibilities and personal needs.

Avantica's Words Of Advice

If you don't have the resources or time to properly care for a pet, don't get one. Pets deserve attention, care, and love, and it's essential to provide that if you decide to bring one into your family.

"Too much structure makes life mundane, Too much spontaneity makes life chaotic, and a dance between the two makes life meaningful"

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As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us take a moment to express gratitude for the remarkable women who embody the spirit of resilience, strength, and grace. Together, let's honor these unsung heroes by showing appreciation through acts of kindness, spending quality time, and showering them with love and affection. Whether it's a heartfelt conversation over a cup of tea, a thoughtful handwritten note, or a simple gesture of gratitude, let's make an effort to uplift and cherish the incredible moms in our lives.  Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms out there—you are the true epitome of beauty, strength, and grace.

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