To the Moms Doing the Most (and Then Some)
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
— Ann Lamont
Because you’re not just helping things grow—you’re growing too.
Let’s talk about moms.
Not in the Instagram-worthy, curated-feed, matchy-outfits kind of way (although props if you manage that).
I’m talking about real-life moms. The kind who haven’t had a hot cup of coffee since the toddler learned how to open the fridge. The ones who can sense a fever from a forehead kiss, find lost shoes with witchy precision, and somehow keep everything running—on a schedule written only in their heads.
If that’s you? Pull up a chair. Let’s have a moment.
Because here’s the thing no one really says out loud enough:
You’re not just keeping everyone else grounded. You deserve to be rooted, too.
Nobody really prepares you for that, right? You don’t just become a mom and carry on like normal.
You stretch. You change.
Your sleep changes. Your brain changes.
(Your wardrobe changes. A lot.)
You learn to carry not just your own emotions, but everyone else’s, too. You become the emotional thermostat of your home—and somehow, it becomes second nature to put yourself last.
But here’s the part that often gets left out:
You don’t stop being a person just because you became a parent.
You still have feelings. Needs. Dreams. A sense of humor that occasionally still exists under the laundry pile.
Look, chocolates are great. Don’t get me wrong—brunch and handmade cards are sweet. But what most moms actually need on Mother’s Day isn’t another “World’s Best Mom” mug (we’ve all got like... five).
What we really need is permission.
Permission to breathe.
Permission to not be okay sometimes.
Permission to not hold it all together every minute of the day.
Permission to take care of ourselves FIRST (without the guilt).
Because while it’s beautiful to be the nurturer, the problem is… we’ve been conditioned to believe that’s all we’re supposed to be.
And that? That’s a recipe for burnout, not balance.
Somewhere along the way, moms got labeled as the ones who “pour out” constantly. We water the emotional garden of the household. We tend. We give. We show up. And while that’s amazing and noble and heroic in a very underappreciated way...
You are not just the watering can.
You’re the soil—the foundation everything grows from. That means you’re not here to just help others thrive. You deserve nourishment, too.
The soil can’t stay rich if it’s constantly being taken from. Even the Earth gets a season of rest. So why don’t we?
Ever heard of the “emotional load”? It’s the invisible to-do list constantly running in your head:
Did I sign the permission slip?
What are we having for dinner?
Has everyone had water today (including the dog)?
Is that a rash or glitter?
Am I showing enough love? Too much screen time? Did I schedule that appointment? Am I failing?
It’s not just logistics—it’s the mental and emotional energy spent caring. And it’s exhausting.
No wonder we’re running on fumes and impulse Amazon purchases.
5 Quick Q-Tips To Stay Rooted Without Losing Ourselves
Start your day with a simple question: “How am I doing?”
Not “What do I need to do?”—but how are you feeling, really? That awareness is the beginning of emotional grounding.
2. Guilt is not a parenting strategy.
Repeat after me: Resting is not lazy. Letting go is not failure.
Let your kids see you be human. Let them see you rest. That’s how they learn it’s okay to have limits, too.
3. Set a boundary, even if it’s awkward.
You’re allowed to say “not right now” without explaining yourself. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re fences with gates that you control.
4. Ask for help like it’s normal.
Because it is normal. Needing support doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise. You're not meant to do this alone.
5. Nourish yourself on purpose.
Whether it’s journaling, 10 quiet minutes with tea, or dancing to Beyoncé in the kitchen—do something every day that brings you back to you.
You don’t have to “bounce back.” You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to carry everyone’s everything in your metaphorical tote bag with the crumbs and mystery receipts.
So if you’re feeling a little frayed around the edges—know this: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just human. And you’re allowed to take care of your emotions, too.
You're allowed to cry. You're allowed to laugh too hard at TikToks at 1 a.m. You're allowed to not have all the answers. You're allowed to still be growing, even as you help others grow.
You just have to keep showing up for yourself—with the same grace and compassion you offer everyone else.
And if no one’s said it yet?
Thank you. For the invisible work, the emotional labor, and the love you keep giving. It matters. You matter.
This Mother’s Day, let’s not just celebrate what you do. Let’s honor who you are.
Take care of the soil. Everything else grows from there!
MOTHERS,
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL LOVED!
NEED AN ENCOURAGEMENT?
WE GOT YOU!
