Motherhood is a crash course in patience, resilience, and grace. It’s the kind of education you’re not fully prepared for, filled with both chaotic days that stretch endlessly and fleeting moments you wish you could bottle forever. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t master (haven’t mastered) every aspect of it, but every single day shaped me. Motherhood stretched me in ways I never would have imagined before becoming a mother, and in return, it gave me wonderful joy and very valuable lessons in my life. For years, everything I had went toward raising my girls (and still does in most ways) and balancing the demands of family and career. I often operated on autopilot, ensuring everyone else was good, fulfilled and happy while forgetting to ask myself the same question. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy. I love my family and my career very much, it just slowly began to dawn on me that I was defined solely by those two things.
So something began to shift, quietly, almost imperceptibly. Maybe it’s the season of midlife, a time when you find yourself somewhere between reflection and reinvention. Maybe it’s watching my daughters step into their next chapters as independent, curious young women, a living reminder of how time moves forward whether we’re ready for it or not. Or maybe it’s just life tapping me on the shoulder, nudging me to slow down, to stop rushing toward “what’s next” and make space for “what is.” Whatever the reason, I find myself standing in a new phase, a phase where I need to learn to find me again.
A New Chapter, Grounded in Gratitude
This isn’t about discarding the past. It is about remembering it fully and about building on it, taking the joys, the struggles, the many many laughs and the lessons and continuing from a place of deeper intention. I look back with gratitude at the woman I’ve become because of all the twists and turns of my story. Parenting has been a profound teacher, as has juggling a demanding career with the countless plates that need spinning in a family of four.
I am very grateful for my husband, my constant in a world that often feels like it’s moving too fast. He has been my rock through every new season, from the sleep-deprived early years of parenting to now, as we shift and grow and are now supporting each other through the complexities of midlife. Together, we’ve built a life filled with love and partnership. Now we’re navigating this new terrain, sharing in the fun and excitement of watching our daughters grow, while also looking ahead and imagining the life we’ll build when it’s just the two of us again. But, trust me, we’re not rushing any of it.
Admittedly, it’s easy to feel as if time is speeding by. Lately, the days seem to blur, years seem shorter, and the moments feel like they’re slipping through my fingers. But instead of stressing over how quickly it all seems to go, I’ve made a conscious decision to slow down. For the first time in years, I’ve come to truly understand the importance of being present. And I am glad I did, and am trying to not regret doing it more consciously before.
Learning to Be Present
I used to always live in the future. I was the woman with three lists, constantly planning ahead, thinking about the next big thing, the next deadline, the next phase of life. Being busy felt productive, and I mistook moving fast for moving forward. But what I may have missed sometimes in that hustle was the quiet magic of now. The beauty of a moment happening right in front of you.
This shift toward presence didn’t happen overnight, nor was it something I even knew I needed for a long time. But especially over the past year, life has gently pulled me toward a slower, more grounded way of living. I find myself savoring simple moments, like laughing at dinner with my daughters or sharing a late afternoon walk with my husband. I used to glance past those little pockets of joy; now I hold them close. Even in the busyness, there’s something so powerful about pausing to simply be.
That sense of presence has also extended toward myself. It’s as though I’ve given myself permission to slow down enough to ask, “What do I want? What do I need?” A simple question, but one I hadn’t asked in far too long. And for me, part of that answer came in the form of rediscovering my creativity.
A Creative Outlet That’s All Mine
Years ago, I found so much joy in creating. As part of my world teaching high school, I had the privilege of directing plays and musicals, designing sets, and working alongside students whose energy and passion felt contagious. Those creative projects filled me up in ways that few other things could. Back then, I was always making, building, imagining. The arts were colorful, vibrant, and full of possibility.
But as my family grew and the demands of life took over, that part of me went quiet. The artist, the visionary, the creative thinker took a backseat to the roles of mom, employee, wife. I told myself I didn’t have the time or energy for creative pursuits anymore, and I believed that for years. My daughter’s have the same creative passions, and there are no words for how it feels to watch them perform, hear them sing and learn to create. I have been involved in their creative journey from the sidelines and through their organizations, but I always wanted their journey to be about them, not me.
Recently, though, all of that has changed. That creative fire I once felt has reignited, and this blog is the result. Writing and creating this site has become my outlet, a way to express and share my thoughts, and reflect on this incredible human experience. Yes, what I create here is tied to my family and career, but it also stands apart. It’s something just for me, and it feels so good to create again.
Encouraging Other Moms to Reclaim Their Passions
If there’s one message I hope resonates through this blog, it’s this: Moms, it’s okay to have something that belongs to you. It’s not selfish; it’s crucial. We spend so much of our lives pouring ourselves into others, into ensuring everyone else is thriving, that it’s easy to lose sight of our own passions. But those passions matter. They make us whole.
Whatever lights you up, lean into it. Whether it’s painting, gardening, singing, running marathons, writing poetry, knitting, photography or something entirely different, find things for yourself that bring you joy. Finding time for yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a gift to both you and your family. When we nurture ourselves, we show up better for those we love.
Balancing It All with Joy
My life is still filled to the brim. My career is demanding, my daughters keep me on my toes, and to-do abound. But I’ve found joy in the balancing act. This isn’t about “having it all” in the way society often tries to sell women. For me, it’s about approaching my life with gratitude and intention, holding what matters close, and letting go of what doesn’t.
It’s never too late to reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been tucked away. My daughters see me reclaiming my creativity and carving out time for my passions, and I know I’m setting a powerful example for them. They’re seeing that growth doesn’t stop, no matter how busy life gets. They’re seeing that it’s okay to dream and to take action on those dreams, even in the middle of an already full life.
Motherhood, midlife, creativity, growth—it’s all part of the same, beautiful story. I’m still learning, still evolving, still finding new ways to juggle the present while looking forward. But most of all, I’m grateful. The years move fast, but every moment, every lesson, every experience has brought me to where I am today.
And if you’re wondering if it’s too late for you to do the same, I promise you it’s not. You can always begin again.
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