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Tag: health
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Rediscovering Yourself as a Mom: A Personal Journey
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !
Story time:
I got pregnant my senior year.
And just like that, everything shifted.
I thought my dreams had an expiration date. That my new job title was just “Mom” and my only role was to support my partner and raise my son. My own ambitions? I quietly packed them away, like the college brochures I stopped opening.
I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the moment I started losing my sense of identity.
When Guilt Gets Loud
The thing about being a mom is… no one really tells you how much guilt gets baked into the role. Especially when you start doing something for you.
When I decided to go back to school, I was proud—but the guilt came creeping in fast.
Should I really be leaving them this long?
Am I selfish for wanting more than motherhood?
It’s this unspoken rule society throws at moms: you’re supposed to give everything, all the time. But no one talks about what happens when there’s nothing left to give to yourself.
The Chaos (and Comedy) of Doing It All
Let me paint you a picture:
I tell my boys every night, “Okay, I’m going to wake up at 5 AM and go run tomorrow!”
And recently, one of them looked me dead in the face and said,
“No, you’re not. You sleep in.”
Called. Out.
Nothing humbles you like being dragged by your own kids. So guess who got up and actually ran the next morning? Me—because I had to reclaim my mom-cred.
Despite the chaos (and there’s a lot of it), my kids cheer me on.
After a workout: “How many miles today, Mom?”
During their soccer practices: “You got this, brother!” when one of them looks tired.
They’re learning. They’re watching. And it makes the mess worth it.
Finding Myself Again
Motherhood stripped me of a lot—but it also helped me rebuild.
I didn’t find myself instead of being a mom. I found myself through being one.
It took time. Therapy. Late-night breakdowns. Early morning runs.
But now I’m back in school—not for the title or the paycheck, but for the freedom it will bring.
The freedom to build a life where I can show up for them and myself.
To be fully present in their lives without feeling like I had to abandon my own.
This Mother’s Day, I’m Celebrating the Comeback
I’m not “just” a mom. I’m a student, a runner, a woman rebuilding her life one goal at a time.
And if you’re a mom reading this feeling like you lost yourself somewhere along the way—I see you. You’re not broken. You’re evolving.
Motherhood may have shaken your identity, but it can also help you rebuild it stronger.
Your Turn:
What part of yourself are you rediscovering? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hype you up.
And if you enjoyed this post, buy me a coffee (or send me motivation for my next 5 AM run—I clearly need it)!
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Alcohol Guilt & the Decision to Choose Sobriety
I’ve been wanting to go on this journey for over a year now. The idea of quitting alcohol has always been in the back of my mind, but social drinking has felt like such a big part of my life. I would tell myself that I deserved to “let loose” after handling my responsibilities—being a good mom, staying on top of school, running my household. I used drinking as a reward.
But this past weekend, I was reminded why I’ve been wanting to make this change. I had “only” two drinks, and in just three hours, I was super drunk. The next morning, I woke up feeling the same way I always do—full of anxiety, regret, and frustration. Even if nothing “bad” happened, the blackout, the loss of control, and the overwhelming guilt were enough to make me realize: one drink is never just one drink for me.
Last year, I tried to take a break from drinking, but I spent a whole month “celebrating” my first half marathon win with alcohol. By the time I got to my second race, I felt the difference. My training suffered, my energy was low, and I knew deep down that drinking was holding me back from being my best self. Marathon training saved me once, and I know that choosing sobriety will do the same.
For a long time, I told myself that alcohol = fun. That if I was drinking, then I didn’t have problems. That I wasn’t drinking because of my problems, I was drinking to have a good time. But the truth is, drinking doesn’t take my problems away—it just postpones them. And when I wake up the next day, the problems are still there… but now, I feel even worse.
So, I’m making a promise. To myself, to my kids, and to God: For the next year, I will not drink. I want to see what life looks like without alcohol clouding my progress. I want to fully commit to my marathon training, to my goals, and to showing up for myself every single day. I’m lucky to have a close friend on this journey with me, holding me accountable. And I’m setting boundaries to avoid situations where I know temptation will be high.
If you’ve ever struggled with alcohol guilt—if you’ve ever woken up feeling anxious, regretting the night before, promising yourself you’ll “cut back” only to find yourself in the same cycle—I see you. You’re not alone. And if you’re thinking about making a change, I hope this post reminds you that you can.
Here’s to a new chapter. Here’s to clarity, control, and becoming the best version of myself.
If you ever need someone to talk to about doing this, I’m just a comment away. To romanticize this new adventure, I bought myself a ring as a symbol of commitment—proof that I can do this. And hey, it was also a great excuse to reward myself for embarking on this journey.
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