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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