I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I have to apologize for having a life.

It’s an uncomfortable thing to admit—maybe even a little unsettling—because it points to something deeper about the way motherhood is often framed. Many of us were taught, subtly or outright, that choosing ourselves is a kind of betrayal. That devotion to our own lives means we are less responsible, less loving, less committed as mothers.

That belief is heavy.

And while it exists as a big idea, it’s in the quiet, everyday moments where it does the most harm—slowly shrinking the shape of our lives.

Here are a few ways I see it show up in my own day-to-day.

Have you ever felt like you were walking in line with the “shoulds” of life instead of leaning into your own purpose? I ask because I’ve been there. Following the unwritten rules, carrying expectations that weren’t even mine, living in a way that felt more like performance than truth.

This new chapter I’m in — this beginning — would you believe me if I told you I felt it coming a year ago? I didn’t know how my life would change, but I sensed a shift brewing.

When creativity calls, are you truly paying attention? What is it trying to tell you? I’ve come to see that creativity isn’t about doing more—it’s about expressing more. Too often, we confuse being productive with being creative, pushing ourselves to add tasks rather than to deepen expression.

Ah, "mom-balance." It's the unicorn of motherhood, isn't it? That mythical state where we seamlessly juggle work, kids, household, self-care, and somehow emerge at the end of the day with a serene smile and a perfectly clean kitchen. Yeah, right.

From memoirs to self-help guides to poetry collections, these books cover a wide range of topics and offer valuable insights into self-love, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, or just need a reminder to take care of yourself, these books are sure to help you on your journey to wellness.

Prenatal skin got you stumped? Here’s my easy-to-follow pregnancy-safe skincare routine. (Read: It’s CLEAN!)

In the days and weeks after becoming a mama, the absolute last thing I thought about was myself. Here’s how I got real and took action toward prioritizing my care.