Can I ask you something kind of real?

When was the last time someone asked how you were doing - not as a mom, not as a partner, not as whoever needs something from you - and you actually had an answer that wasn't "tired" or "good, just busy"?

Because I've been sitting with that one lately. And honestly? It took me a minute.

This is the finale of our mini-series, and I really wanted to end here - on this idea of what happens when you quietly disappear in the middle of motherhood. Not in a dramatic way. Not a breakdown or a big identity crisis. Just that slow, subtle thing where you look up one day and realize you've been ordering the practical thing for so long you forgot what you actually wanted. Or a friend asks what you do for fun and you automatically list your kids' activities. Or you're alone in Target for 20 whole minutes and you genuinely have no idea what you would even buy for yourself.

That's what we're talking about today. I'm calling it functional disappearance - you're still here, lunches are packed, emotional support fully online - but somewhere underneath all of that, there's a version of you that's just been on hold.

The good news? She hasn't gone nearly as far as you think.

In This Episode:

• What "functional disappearance" really is — and why it happens so quietly
• The moment in Target that made me realize how much I'd drifted from myself
• The stages of mom "me time" (stage one: announcing you need alone time — rookie mistake)
• Why you don't need a whole day off to start coming back to yourself
• Small, real moments that help you remember who you are underneath the schedules and the mental load
• The "both/and" of motherhood — you can love this and still miss the person you were before
• A gentle question to carry with you this week

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper

Missed the mini-series? Start with Episode 95 (glimmers) and Episode 96 (the mental load)

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

You know that feeling when your brain has approximately 100 tabs open — and at least 17 of them are frozen, 12 are playing music you can't find, and one is reminding you that the field trip form still isn't signed?

Yeah. That's motherhood lately.

In part two of the A Week in My Life, Emotionally mini series, I'm getting into the running list — the one that never actually turns off. The one that follows you from the bathroom sink to the dinner table to the moment you're about to fall asleep and your brain suddenly goes, hey, did you change the laundry?

If you've ever carried something nobody else can see, this episode is going to make you feel a lot less alone — and maybe even laugh a little.

In This Episode:

• The "100 tabs open" feeling and why it resonates so deeply with moms
• The laundry you remembered three times and still didn't do
• Why forgetting the snacks isn't proof you're failing — it's proof you're carrying too much
• The midnight spiral that goes from groceries to mom guilt in seconds
• Being interrupted 47 times while trying to do one single thing
• Why the running list is actually evidence of how much you love your people
• A reframe that might make you a little more gentle with yourself

📲 What's your most ridiculous running list moment this week? DM me on Instagram 📧 On my email list? Hit reply — I genuinely want to hear it

Busy Mom Guide: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/busy-mom-guide

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

What if the good parts of motherhood aren't waiting for you on the other side of a calmer season — but are already showing up, right in the middle of the chaos?

In this first episode of the A Week in My Life, Emotionally mini series, I'm not talking schedules or logistics. I'm talking about what my week actually felt like — the emotional experience of being a mom to three kids (ages 7, 9, and 12) while running a therapy practice. And what kept showing up? Glimmers. Small, ordinary moments I almost missed completely.

None of it is flashy. None of it would stop your scroll. But these glimmers? They're what keep me grounded — and I think they might be what keeps you going too.

If you've been waiting for motherhood to feel calm before you let yourself enjoy it, this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• What "glimmers" are and why they matter so much for overwhelmed moms
• The joke book moment that stopped me in my tracks
• How a chaotic sibling argument turned into an unexpected glimmer
• Why ordinary morning conversations with your kids are worth protecting
• Celebrating tiny wins — even just getting out the door
• How to start noticing glimmers even when you're in full survival mode

What's one glimmer from your week? Send me a DM on instagram or an email and let me know!

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

Every season of motherhood looks different.

When my kids were babies and toddlers, I remember wondering what life would feel like once we got past those exhausting early years. I imagined things might feel calmer… more predictable… maybe even easier.

Now that I’m parenting two elementary-aged kids and one middle schooler, I can tell you this: it’s different — but it’s not necessarily easier.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the honest things I wish someone had told me about this stage of motherhood. The good, the funny, the surprising, and the parts that still catch me off guard.

We talk about:

• How the logistics may change, but the mental load often doesn’t
• The surprising ways kids still need us as they grow
• Why parenting older kids can feel both freeing and emotionally complex
• The funny realities of school schedules, sports, and constant snacks
• Learning to trust your intuition as a mom instead of trying to do everything perfectly

If you’re in the thick of motherhood right now—whether your kids are little or getting older—I hope this episode feels like sitting down with a friend who gets it.

Motherhood evolves, but the pressure we put on ourselves doesn’t have to.

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can hear is simply: you’re doing better than you think.

Listen to the episode and join the conversation.

And if you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone had told me that…” I’d love to hear it. Send me a message or share it with me on Instagram.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

If you’re feeling stretched thin in this season of motherhood, I created a free resource to help. My Busy Mom Guide includes simple mindset shifts and practical ideas to help you slow down and feel more present in your everyday life.

You can grab it here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/busy-mom-guide

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

Daily routines might sound simple, but the right rhythms can completely change how your days feel as a parent. Instead of rigid schedules or perfectly planned days, small pockets of consistency can help kids feel secure, reduce chaos at home, and give moms more breathing room in their day.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Jessica Irwin, a pediatric occupational therapist, mom of two boys, and founder of Rooted in Routine. After years of working closely with families, and then experiencing motherhood herself, Jessica realized how powerful predictable daily rhythms can be. She shares practical ways to build flexible routines that support your child’s development while also helping you feel calmer, more confident, and less overwhelmed as a mom.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why predictable rhythms help regulate kids’ brains and nervous systems
• The five key parts of the day where simple routines can make the biggest difference
• How routines can create more calm for moms, not more pressure
• A simple morning rhythm that can help you carve out a little time for yourself
• Why independent play is an often overlooked but powerful routine for kids
• Using visual schedules to make after-school or after-work hours run more smoothly
• What to do when kids resist routines or things don’t go as planned
• How to start building routines without feeling overwhelmed or adding more to your plate
• One compassionate first step if your days currently feel chaotic or out of control
  
  
  

If you’ve ever wished your days felt a little smoother, your kids knew what to expect, and you could create more calm in your home without rigid schedules, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas to start small and build from there.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

Connect with Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinroutine

Check out Jessica’s website, including her resources and membership community here: https://www.rootedinroutine.com/

Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next. Join the list here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

So much of motherhood isn’t the visible work; it’s the invisible remembering, anticipating, planning, and holding it all together. And for many of us, that mental load is what leaves us the most exhausted.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent and creator of Proxy. Before becoming a mom, Christine built and sold an eight-figure company as a CEO who deeply understood systems and delegation. Motherhood, however, challenged her identity, her relationship with productivity, and her understanding of what success really means. We talk about delegating the doing and the thinking, navigating guilt when outsourcing at home, and how buying back your time can create space for a more intentional life.

In this episode, we cover:

• The identity shift from high-level career to early motherhood
• Untangling self-worth from productivity
• The difference between delegating tasks and delegating mental load
• Why “it’s easier if I just do it” keeps us overwhelmed
• Practical, accessible ways to outsource support
• Reducing decision fatigue and protecting your mental energy
  
  
  

If you’ve been carrying more in your head than anyone can see and wondering whether there’s a different way to do this, this conversation offers both permission and practical steps forward.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

Learn more about Proxy, a private thinking partner for the mental load: https://peacockparent.com/proxy/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askproxy

You can text Proxy at 820-732-2625 to try 15 messages for free. And with code Liz, you’ll receive three months free to see what it’s like to build this kind of support into your everyday life.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the familiar tension of wanting to grow, be productive, and say yes, while also craving a slower, more present way of living. In this episode, I’m reflecting on a recent family trip that completely shifted my perspective on pace, presence, and what it really means to slow down in motherhood. What I realized surprised me: slowing down isn’t just about doing less, it’s about becoming different internally. Together, we explore why so many moms feel pulled in every direction, how our internal urgency gets shaped, and what it looks like to live at a more human pace, even in a very full life.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing
• The hidden pressure of modern motherhood and constant urgency
• How environment and pace shape your nervous system
• What a slower pace can reveal about clarity, peace, and presence
• Simple ways to disrupt autopilot and create micro-moments of calm
• How to embrace the both/and of motherhood
• Practical shifts to help you slow down

This episode is an invitation to breathe, reflect, and consider how a simple shift in pace might bring more clarity, connection, and calm into your everyday life.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

If you want to dive further into the topic of the invisible mental load of motherhood, check out episode 89, The Invisible Mental Load of Motherhood (And How to Start Letting Go): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/experience-motherhood/id1678603043?i=1000750125345

Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next. Join the list here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

Motherhood doesn’t always come naturally and when it feels hard, it’s easy to assume we’re doing something wrong. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Shayla of Hey Shayla, a mom of three and creator known for her honest conversations about motherhood, mindset, and intentional living. Her perspective is a powerful reminder that joy isn’t something we earn by getting it right; it’s something we choose, even in the middle of exhaustion, mess, and uncertainty.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why motherhood can feel harder than we expect and why that doesn’t mean you’re failing
• The identity shift of matrescence and learning who you are after becoming a mom
• How comparison and social media quietly steal joy from everyday motherhood
• Practical mindset shifts to help you find joy in your current season
• How to create pockets of rest, fulfillment, and peace inside full, busy days
• Letting go of perfection and embracing what works for your family
• Why joy is a daily practice, not a destination

This conversation is gentle, grounding, and deeply relatable, especially if the joy of motherhood has started to feel distant.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:

Connect with Shayla:

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyshayla

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heyshayla

Check out Shayla’s website to get her Mindset Guide and Positive Mindset Flip Book: https://www.heyshayla.com/shop/

Listen to Shayla’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-shayla-judgement-free-motherhood/id1589893217

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :)

Experience Motherhood more!

• Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood
• STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL
• Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m
• Get access to other free guides
• Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com

-->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast!
Your support is incredibly meaningful!

Support the Show
A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening!

Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood!


Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.