Shay Mitchell Says She Felt 'Pressure' to Return to Her 'Old' Self After Giving Birth to Her Two Daughters

"I've always said I can't snap back. I can only snap forward,” said the Béis founder

Shay Mitchell is sharing how she felt “pressure” to "snap back" after giving birth to her daughters.

The Pretty Little Liars alum shares daughters Atlas Noa, 2, and Rome, 18 months, with her partner, Matte Babel.

Mitchell, 36, shared in the Tuesday Byrdie cover story that it’s “tough” to be “a woman in this day and age.”

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel that pressure. However, I've always said I can't snap back. I can only snap forward,” Mitchell said. “As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I put the old version of myself aside, and a new chapter began."

Related: Who Is Shay Mitchell's Boyfriend? All About Matte Babel

The Béis founder explained that since the birth of her two daughters, she’s begun to reflect on how her daughters perceive her.

"I want them to see me and know you can be extremely independent yet still rely on others for support," she said.

"I want to instill a strong work ethic in them. My parents always said if you get something on your own, nobody can take that away from you,” Mitchell continued. “So I want them to know if you believe in something, you can attain it."

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The mother of two admits she can navigate both parenting and her growing business because she has “help” from a “team around her.”

"The other day on TikTok, someone commented, 'Oh, look at the nanny feeding her child.' I've never claimed to raise my children by myself,” shared Mitchell. “If I didn't have the help I do, I wouldn't be able to do what I do [in my career or as a mom]. It's important to call it out because it is a luxury to be able to do both."

Along with a helpful support system, the Dollface actress credits Babel for being by her side and as a sounding board. “We share the same morals, and I'll forever be grateful to be in a healthy relationship," she told Byrdie.

The actress shared how she and Babel are working together to “celebrate” their daughters’ multiracial backgrounds — Mitchell is Filipino and Caucasian, and Babel is Trinidadian and Caucasian. "Matte and I encourage them to be curious about their background and treat everyone equally," she explained.

Related: Shay Mitchell Inspired by Daughter Atlas for New Kids' Luggage Collection: 'She Has an Opinion'

The couple have been linked since 2017. They welcomed Atlas in October 2019 and Rome in May 2022.

After Rome’s birth, Mitchell exclusively shared with PEOPLE that Atlas "is loving being a big sister." Mitchell told PEOPLE, "[Atlas] is so excited. She's been incredible. She helps me change diapers and it's good — she loves it."

"I feel awesome. I feel really, really good,” added the businesswoman. "It definitely takes a village. I'm really lucky my parents are in town and everybody's been really helpful."

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