I’m two days away from my third trimester, and that fact alone feels both surreal and grounding at the same time. There’s something about crossing into this final stretch that makes everything suddenly more real. For months, pregnancy has existed in this in-between space — deeply personal and physical, yet still abstract in so many ways. Now, it feels like I’m stepping into the home straight, and with that comes a mix of emotions I wasn’t entirely prepared for.
Excitement sits right at the surface. It catches me off guard in small moments — when I feel a strong kick during a quiet evening, or when I realise how close I am to actually meeting this tiny person I’ve been carrying. There’s a growing sense of anticipation, a curiosity about who they’ll be, what they’ll look like, how life will change. It’s not just a distant idea anymore. It’s happening soon.
But alongside that excitement is a quiet, persistent anxiety. Not overwhelming, but present. It shows up in questions I can’t fully answer yet.
Will everything go smoothly?
Will I be ready?
How will I cope with being in hospital, with sleep deprivation, with the complete shift in identity that everyone talks about but no one can fully describe?
I’ve always been someone who likes to feel prepared — physically and mentally. Pregnancy has challenged that in ways I didn’t expect. There’s only so much you can control, and learning to sit with that uncertainty has been one of the hardest parts.
Staying active has been one of my anchors through all of this. Movement has always been a big part of who I am, and continuing that during pregnancy has helped me feel like myself, even as everything changes. Running, especially, has been more than just exercise. It’s been space. Time to think, to process, to feel strong in a body that sometimes feels unfamiliar.
That said, it hasn’t been the same as before — and accepting that has been its own journey. I’ve had to listen more closely to my body, to adjust expectations, to let go of pace and performance. Some days feel easy and fluid, others feel heavy and slow. But I keep showing up, not to chase anything, just to stay connected to myself.
Walking has become just as important. Long walks with my dog, have turned into a kind of moving meditation. There’s something about the rhythm of walking, the fresh air, the simplicity of it, that brings me back to balance. It’s where I can step away from overthinking and just be present.
Strength work has shifted too. It’s less about pushing limits and more about supporting my body — building stability, maintaining strength, preparing for what’s ahead. There’s a quiet satisfaction in that, in knowing I’m doing something that will help me not just now, but in birth and recovery.
Beyond the physical, I’ve found that mental balance matters just as much. I’ve made space for stillness in a way I didn’t before. Even just ten minutes of mindfulness each day helps create a pause, a reset. It’s not about doing it perfectly — some days my mind wanders the entire time — but it’s about the habit of stopping, breathing, and checking in with myself.
There are moments when anxiety creeps in more strongly, usually at night or when I’m overtired. That’s when I try to come back to what I can control. Simple things. Eating well. Resting when I need to. Moving my body in ways that feel good. Talking openly about how I’m feeling instead of holding it in.
Food has also become a form of balance. Nourishing myself properly feels more important than ever, not just for the baby but for my own energy and wellbeing. There’s a different level of awareness now — about getting enough protein, eating regularly, choosing foods that make me feel good rather than just full.
As I approach the third trimester, I’m also becoming more aware of my body in a new way. It’s stronger than I sometimes give it credit for, but it’s also asking for more care. Rest isn’t optional anymore — it’s necessary.
There’s a part of me that worries about losing the rhythm I’ve built — the routines that keep me grounded.
What will my days look like once the baby is here?
Will I still recognise myself in the middle of it all?
But there’s also a growing trust. A sense that I don’t need to have it all figured out right now. That I’ll adapt, just like I have through every stage of this pregnancy so far.
I think that’s what balance looks like for me at the moment — not having everything perfectly aligned, but finding a way to hold both excitement and anxiety at the same time. To keep moving forward, even when things feel uncertain. To take care of my body and mind without putting pressure on myself to do it perfectly.
Two days from now, I’ll officially be in the third trimester. I don’t expect some dramatic shift to happen overnight, but I know what it represents. The final phase. The beginning of the end of this chapter, and the start of something entirely new.
It feels big. Bigger than I can fully put into words.
But for now, I’m focusing on staying present. On appreciating where I am, even with all the mixed emotions that come with it. On continuing the small daily habits that keep me grounded — movement, fresh air, nourishment, moments of stillness.
And maybe that’s enough.
Maybe balance, right now, isn’t about having everything under control. Maybe it’s about trusting myself to handle whatever comes next.
