Why Self-Reflection Matters for Moms (And How to Start)
Motherhood has a way of transforming us—sometimes in ways we don’t recognize until much later. That’s what this series is about: peeling back the layers, noticing the shifts, and giving yourself credit for the growth you’ve earned.
Today’s prompt asks you to name what you love about yourself now—not who you were, not who you’re “supposed” to be. Who you are, today. Grab The Burnout Recovery Workbook for Mom to keep exploring these questions at your own pace.
In this article:
What are three qualities I love about myself now?
I’ve leveled up my resilience
I’ve become more intentional with my time and energy
I still value my authenticity and insightfulness—but deeper now
Why This Kind of Reflection Matters
Want to reflect on your own growth?
What are three qualities I love about myself now?
It’s surprisingly hard to answer this one, especially when you’re used to holding everything together for other people. But it’s worth it. This is your permission slip to say, I’m proud of myself for this. Not in a performative way—but in a real, soul-deep, “I survived this and I’m still here” kind of way.
It’s one thing to reflect on who you were before or even who you want to become—but loving the current version of yourself takes guts. Especially when your days are a blur of snacks, emotional whiplash, and trying to remember who you were before diapers and preschool logistics took over your brain.
Here are three qualities I’ve come to genuinely love about myself:
I’ve leveled up my resilience
Before motherhood, my definition of “rock bottom” was different. I had bad breakups, rough jobs, and times I felt completely lost.
Now, I’ve had days when I felt like I was unraveling at the seams—emotionally depleted, physically drained, and still expected to take care of an infant’s every need while functioning like a cheerful, loving, stable parent. I’ve had moments of sobbing on the bathroom floor and then quietly walking back out to read Goodnight Moon like nothing happened.
I’ve kept going on days when I was broken inside.
I’ve made something meaningful out of loneliness, exhaustion, and isolation. Hello, blog!
I’ve learned how to rebuild myself in real-time, even with a child tugging at my sleeve.
I don’t just “bounce back” anymore—I adapt and survive. Motherhood changes your emotions in ways no one talks about. And while becoming more emotional might sound like a contradiction to resilience, it’s not. I don’t repress my feelings, but I’ve become tougher—capable of holding grief, stress, rage, and joy all in the same 24 hours.
I’ve become more intentional with my time and energy
Before I had a kid, I had so much time—and no idea how to use it well. Now, with just three daycare days a week, I can knock out writing, trading, errands, phone calls, and housework in a fraction of the time it used to take. Why? Because I don’t have the luxury of wasting time anymore.
Motherhood has made me ruthless (in a good way) about priorities. I don’t chase perfection, I chase progress. I’ve also made choices I never thought I’d make—like putting my child in daycare even though I’m a work-from-home mom. That decision changed everything for my mental health and productivity. Intentional choices beat idealistic guilt every time.
I know exactly what’s worth my energy and what’s not.
I protect my time like a resource, because it is one.
I work smarter, faster, and with clearer priorities than I ever did before.
Less time, but better focus. Less pressure, but better outcomes. I’ve traded unlimited time for urgent clarity—and I wouldn’t go back.
I still value my authenticity and insightfulness—but deeper now
These two traits have always been in my DNA. I’ve never been great at pretending things are fine when they’re not, and I’ve always had a sharp eye for spotting patterns, especially the harmful ones. But motherhood has amplified both.
Now, I see through the veneer of “curated motherhood” faster than ever. I don’t want the perfect morning routine, the matching outfits, or the latest wooden Montessori toy—I want real. Real conversations. Real support. Realness that doesn’t depend on aesthetics.
That’s why I’ve written things like The Pitfalls of Influencer-Driven Parenting—because I refuse to play a game that tells moms they’re never doing enough unless it looks a certain way.
I’m more honest about what’s hard, what’s beautiful, and what’s both at once.
I use my insight to challenge old patterns, both in my life and in the world around me.
I question the cultural noise that tells women to “do it all.”
It’s not just about honesty—it’s about refusing to perform a version of motherhood that doesn’t serve me or my family.
Why This Kind of Reflection Matters
Taking time to notice what you love about yourself isn’t just feel-good fluff—it has real psychological benefits. Studies show that practicing self-compassion and identifying personal strengths is linked to:
Lower stress
Better emotional resilience
Improved parenting satisfaction
According to Kristin Neff, Ph.D., a leading researcher on self-compassion, reflecting on your strengths can help reduce shame and increase motivation—especially when you’re going through a tough season.
And for moms? This kind of reflection is a quiet rebellion against a culture that constantly tells us we’re not enough. It helps you remember that you are not just a caregiver—you are a person who’s still growing.
If you want to go deeper, the nonprofit Greater Good Science Center has excellent free resources on building self-awareness and emotional resilience.
Want to reflect on your own growth?
Take a few quiet minutes and ask yourself: What are three qualities I love about myself now?
Write without judgment. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. But you are someone worth knowing—and that includes by yourself.
Don’t filter your answers through what’s impressive or socially acceptable. Don’t try to “spin” it. Just sit with yourself. Let what’s true rise to the surface.
Ready to dive deeper? Download The Burnout Recovery Workbook for Mom and keep uncovering the version of you that motherhood has shaped—not just the one you’re supposed to be, but the one you are becoming.
