Megan Young’s gentle reminder to moms: ‘Take care of yourself, too’

October 9 ------ Becoming a mother doesn’t come with a manual, but if there’s one thing Megan Young has learned since welcoming her son, Leon, earlier this year, it’s that self-care isn’t selfish — it’s essential for survival.

The former Miss World, actress, and newly launched brand ambassador for Megasoft’s Sisters napkins and pantyliners is navigating her first year of motherhood with candor and grace, admitting it has been both beautiful and bewildering. “I’m very happy and honored to be part of the Sisters family,” she said during her launch as the brand’s newest face. “This is my first endorsement after giving birth, so thank you to Sisters.”

It was a small but meaningful statement — the kind that quietly marks a new chapter. Yet behind Megan’s unfading beauty queen poise and polish, there was also a trace of uncertainty on the day of her big reveal — one that many women knowingly share when stepping into motherhood. “You know how people say that once you have a child, you never really know what will happen to your career, or if you’ll just end up being a mom,” she admitted with a small laugh. “But I guess times have really changed. And we’re really showing people that as modern moms, we can really tackle anything.”

Indeed, beyond her radiant new-mom glow, Megan’s new story is that of a woman rebuilding, redefining, and rediscovering herself through motherhood. She confessed that when she first found out she was pregnant, she had no idea what to expect. “Before, I used to think only about my career — it was all me, me, me, or Mikael,” she said, referring to her husband, actor Mikael Daez. “But now, my awareness — not just for [my baby] Leon, but for all the people around me — has become so much stronger. Maybe because when I was pregnant, so many people took care of me. I really took notice of that, and now I want to give it back.” That gratitude has evidently shaped how she approaches motherhood — with openness, empathy, and honesty.

“During the first two months [after giving birth], I felt intense sadness, intense emotions, intense happiness. Everything was in the extreme,” Megan admitted. “I couldn’t control it. Sometimes I’d be so happy or I’d cry, then sometimes I’d snap for no reason.” She credits Mikael for helping her through that storm. “He really helped me process everything I was feeling — whether extreme happiness, sadness, or anger. That’s why I think that roller coaster of emotions only lasted two months because he helped me so much.”

Megan’s honesty about postpartum struggles, which are still so often whispered about in Philippine society, is a gift to new mothers like her who quietly battle them. She doesn’t even shy away from saying that there are some days she still feels overwhelmed.

“If I’m going to be very honest, there are times when I forget myself when taking care of Leon,” she said. “And that’s another thing I’m grateful to Mikael for — he reminds me what I want to do for myself.” It’s a simple but powerful reminder that even the most nurturing mothers need nurturing themselves. “It helps me get out of that zone, that mom guilt,” she said. “We’re a team here, as husband and wife. We both have responsibilities, but we both need to be happy, too.”

Megan’s recovery, both emotional and physical, has been marked by small but consistent acts of self-care. “Now that my doctor has cleared me, I can work out again,” she said. “Even walking for 30 minutes a day makes me so happy. It makes me feel better. And little things — like having time for a manicure, pedicure — they add up and make you feel so much better about yourself.”

The 35-year-old celebrity’s tone turned reflective as she admitted to discovering strengths she didn’t know she had before becoming a mom. “I always thought I was more of a follower,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t think I was a leader. But throughout this journey, especially after giving birth, I realized I can do it. That I can also be a leader of our family.” And in the middle of all this rediscovery, Megan found herself drawn to a brand that spoke directly to her current chapter. “The first product I asked for from Sisters when we sealed the deal was their menstrual pads,” she shared. “Because I knew I’d need them in the hospital after giving birth. You really don’t stop bleeding for a while, and hygiene is so important, so it was a big help for me.”

Source: manilatimes.net