Who am I, now that I’m not just a mom?

I’ll never forget the first year all my kids were in school all day, every day. I had been counting down to this season, thinking about all the things I could finally get done with uninterrupted time. But once the silence settled in, I just stood there in my kitchen, coffee in hand, wondering... Now what?

My husband and I had built a business that gave us flexibility and time freedom—something we had been so grateful for while raising our kids. But suddenly, with no little hands needing help, no mid-morning snack requests, and no tiny voices filling the house, I had no clue what to do with that time.

It was unsettling. I had spent years in full-throttle mom mode. Every day was packed with doing for my family. And now, the world had slowed down just enough for me to realize... I wasn’t sure who I was outside of them.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself in a similar situation again. My kids are in full-fledged teen mode, pulling away in the natural, healthy way they should. They have their own plans, their own ideas, their own lives. And while I’m so proud of them, I can’t help but feel that familiar ache—the one that whispers, Where do I fit now?

But this time, I’m seeing things differently. Because I’ve learned that this transition, as hard as it is, isn’t just about letting go. It’s also about stepping into something new.

So, where do we even start?

🌿 Reconnect with old passions.
What’s something you used to love before kids took center stage? Maybe it was painting, writing, running, or traveling without planning around nap schedules. Maybe it was as simple as sitting in a coffee shop with a book—reading for pleasure (what a concept, right?). It’s not too late to pick it up again.

🌿 Try something new.
One of the hardest things about midlife is that we get so used to routine, we forget to explore. But what if we did? What if we signed up for that dance class, tried learning photography, or finally started the side hustle we’ve been dreaming about? Sometimes, we don’t know what we love until we try.

🌿 Prioritize YOUR dreams.
For years, we’ve been our kids’ biggest cheerleaders—encouraging them to chase after what excites them. But what about us? What’s something you’ve always wanted to do? Go back to school? Write a book? Travel more? Give yourself permission to dream again.

🌿 Find your people.
This transition is a whole lot easier when we’re surrounded by others who get it. Whether it’s reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, or joining a community of women in this same stage, we weren’t meant to navigate this season alone.

🌿 Remember: You are still YOU.
Motherhood is a huge, beautiful part of who we are—but it’s not all of who we are. There’s more to us. There’s always been more to us.

So if you’re standing in your kitchen, coffee in hand, wondering Now what?—know this: You’re not lost. You’re just in transition. And this next chapter? It has the potential to be incredible.

We’re just getting started. 💛