Motherhood Isn’t Forever, But You Are

There was once a time when I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without my son; now, he is a fiercely independent 14-year-old. He is shedding the “little boy” phase and learning how to be a man. While I know this transition is healthy, I still find myself nostalgic for the days when he would curl up in my arms and twirl my hair.

Those early years had their own challenges—navigating a strange world and teaching right from wrong—but this new stage is different. Now, I have to sit back, let him find his own way, and trust that I’ve given him the tools to be a good man.

The Identity Shift

Between the middle school drama, the girls, and the teenage sass, I’ve realized how fast life is moving. Next year is high school. In two years, he’ll be driving. In four, he might be gone.

For 14 years, my primary identity has been “Jackson’s Mom.” Even at work, my mind was always with him. As a self-proclaimed worrier, I struggle with the reality that his life will go on without me there to protect him. This realization has forced a hard question: Who am I when I’m not being a mother?

Reclaiming the Spark

My husband has his hobbies—golf and fishing—but I’ve always put myself on the back burner. I tried various things, but nothing really stuck. My physical and mental health took a backseat because, after a long workday, I just wanted to be with my family. Now I’m really only needed for rides and meals, I am left at a loss.

That is why I created The Afternoon Bloom.

This is my space to reignite my spark through reading, writing, music, art, and food. It’s a community for people like me—those who want to remember who they were in their youth and reclaim that joy. Motherhood is a season, but our personal growth is lifelong. I’m ready to love the life I’m living, for myself.