A Conversation with Alicia Erceg

Forever Postpartum

A reflective series exploring the tender, transformative seasons of motherhood, nourishment, and what it means to care for ourselves and others.

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This month we feature Alicia Erceg, mother to Raffy (1) and founder of Christchurch-based Bunch Floral.

Known for her thoughtful, sustainable approach, Alicia connects local growers to the public and finds beauty in what’s intentional and seasonal. During her postpartum chapter, she’s found joy in nature - dedicating time to landscaping her garden and creating a space to enjoy with her family.

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Raffy turned one in July - as you move into your second year of motherhood, what moments or feelings have stayed with you most?

One year is such a massive milestone, I felt a lot of emotion as the year ticked over.

A feeling that felt particularly big was the constant acceptance of rapid change. Trying to hold on for dear life while simultaneously letting go and adapting, e.g. when Raffy dropped her morning nap. Every morning nice and early before we began our day I walked the dog while she slept, I would tuck the wee girl into the front pack, rain hail or shine, we walked. That nap slowly got less and less and when it came to her needing to drop it all together I was so so sad, I did not feel ready at all. It was a reminder of how impermanent stages are, how fleeting the first year is. 

I am so incredibly lucky I get to have those memories, as much as I wish I could have frozen time and walked with her sleeping on me forever, the result was amazing in a new way, as we moved into a new phase.

Were there meals, rituals, or small acts of care that helped sustain you in the early postpartum days?

Absolutely, meal time becomes (even more) important, especially if you are breastfeeding, calories are crucial.

I was never a big lunch person, but I definitely am now! I got sent some FTF meals which I split and ate for lunch and dinner with added extras like sourdough or an egg. Postpartum really changed my mindset from having a rushed late snacky lunch, to actually sitting down for a proper meal.

Ritual wise, my noise canceling headphones were the MVP, I would blast music during the witching hour(s) lol. My husband and I had a pretty solid routine in the evenings which allowed me to have a block of time to myself, mentally and physically, that was so important for me. Even if I was sitting and pumping or having a meltdown haha.

TEAM WORK. 

 

What does nourishment look like for you in this season - beyond just food?

My top two things would be exercise (outdoors) and gardening. Having time alone to think and process things and let the mind wander is important. Walking is great for this, we live close to the hills so I boost up there as much as I can.

A creative outlet is important to me, mornings or evenings I usually walk around the garden and visualise new projects or plants that would look good in an area. It's my living painting. It's nice to exercise the creative / imagination muscles in the brain.

I am also an active user of Ōtepoti (Dunedin) based Barre Base Anywhere - an online platform for yoga, pilates and barre. It’s a female owned small business that is perfect for someone with limited time. It's a great way to add strength work into a workout, I love the 15-30 min class options. Resistance training is such an important thing we should all be doing. Use it or lose it! 

 

 

As you ease back into your creative work, how have you found a rhythm between that part of yourself and motherhood?

It’s definitely something I am still figuring out, it can be a juggle but it turns out Raffy enjoys tinkering around at work with me if I need to bring her in, which is nice. It is a bit of trial and error at the moment but overall it’s nice to give things a go, like anything you need to give it time to see how it will all fall into place. 

I go into work in the evenings to set things up, on the drive in I feel this sense of excitement & freedom, which is funny because it's not like I'm going out to a party, it’s just nice to have another purpose. 

I feel really proud of myself if I have a good week of work, being able to source, create, market and sell a local product all on my own, that always feels like such a big achievement to me. Some weeks are slow but it's all part of it. It’s funny how you don’t think you can do more or give more and then you end up somehow doing it, expansion knows no bounds.

 

What does slowing down mean to you now? 

Good question! I guess by slowing down, you’re letting go of that idea you need to constantly keep up, and with that you either feel content or you don’t. There are so many distractions I used to get caught up in, external praise, validation, comparisons, trends etc. By slowing down I am forced to check in with myself. Some people may view being content as perhaps not having any drive or ambition. I used to think I wasn’t a very ambitious person, but I recently reframed that and I now realise I have a lot of self motivation and determination, I just apply it to aspects of my life that bring me joy and peace. As a result of that I have realised outside of ‘stuff and things’ I am really happy and I feel very lucky to feel that way, both individually and as a family unit. 

Who or what has been most supportive for you in your journey - a person, a place, a practice? 

Friends and family for sure, the village really does turn up when you need it most. It is so important to accept help from others, never be too proud to accept it. In contrast, being able to help someone in those first weeks / months can be a part of your own healing journey.

Accept the help knowing you will pay it forward one day, I learnt that - the sisterhood is alive and well! I also found having a sense of routine really good, for me it was my morning walk. It gave me something to get up and ready for each day, the walk became my meditation. Fresh air is so good for you both, Raffy loved it, she slept the best on freezing cold rainy mornings tucked into my jacket with the sound of rain on the brolly. Oh, and stretching! 5 or 10 minutes, stretch it all out. You spend a lot of time holding, cuddling, folding inwards, protecting, it's nice to open up and stretch out, dust off the cobwebs. Queue a barre class! 

 

Lastly, what does the idea of “forever postpartum” mean to you?

I recently spoke with you about this and I have been thinking about it a lot, how society really only recognises postpartum as the first 6-8 weeks, sometimes it can extend longer, perhaps a year if you “tick the boxes."

Biologically however, you are changed forever, physically, mentally, and hormonally. One thing I really noticed when I started taking Raffy out was that anyone a few generations above would B line it towards us, they asked questions, they reminisced on time with their baby, they talked about their grandchildren, offered advice, tell you how fast it goes (so fast). You see it daily, if you look for it, it's all around us. Birth and children shape and change our lives forever, it's such a special thing.

My idea now of “forever postpartum” means dropping judgment, expectations and having grace and empathy for everyone out there navigating their way through it all - no matter how old your children are, it's still the first time you have had a child of that age and you are both figuring that out together. 

 

Photography by Nayhauss