I used to think getting ready was just about looking nice.

No one warned me that becoming a mother also meant saying goodbye to the woman I once was.

  I know — you probably read that title and thought, “Yeah, right… I don’t even know where to start.” And honestly, I didn’t either.

 For the longest time, I wanted to try something new — painting, cooking, baking, blogging, wood carving, drawing, knitting, and so much more. I had plenty of ideas, but never enough energy or time.

"Dance is self-care in motion a way to release what words can't express and remind yourself that joy lives in your body"

Sometimes, as moms, we pour so much into everyone else that we forget to fill our own cups. That’s where motivational videos have become a little lifeline for me. It may seem simple—just hitting play on a video—but the impact is so much deeper.

 Before kids, I was already a people pleaser—I said yes to everything, even when I was exhausted, overwhelmed, or just didn’t want to. I was so afraid of letting people down that I ignored my own needs. And once I became a mom, that habit followed me. Between family, friends, and the never-ending responsibilities of motherhood, it felt like there wasn’t even room for me anymore.

“When you visualize your dreams, you give them space to grow—and teach your children to dream, too.”

 For years, I felt like I was searching for something I couldn’t quite name. I tried different things—hoping to find happiness, purpose, or even just a spark of excitement—but nothing ever seemed to stick. I’d find little moments of joy, but they faded so quickly, leaving me feeling lost again. I would look around at others—earning degrees, building businesses, chasing dreams—and I wondered, what about me? What do I want out of life? Where do I belong?

 It’s been five days since my last journal entry, and so much has happened that I’ve had to pause and gather my thoughts. Some days feel heavier than others, and I’m learning—slowly but surely—how to navigate this new reality with patience, self-compassion, and the support of those around me.

 Have you ever wanted to start a skin care routine but felt like life was constantly getting in the way? Or maybe you tried before and gave up because it felt like just another thing on your never-ending to-do list? I’ve been there. I’ve always loved skin care—the soothing feel of a good moisturizer, the little indulgence of trying a new product—but somehow, it never fit into my busy life. Between the kids, pets, house chores, and even my greenhouses and garden, my skin care routine always got pushed aside.