Mothers and motherhood have gone through a revolution. From being confined to the home to having nearly limitless options. You can be the empress of the house and keep everything perfect. You can be a kitchen whiz. But you can also be a CrossFit queen or run marathons across the globe. You can climb the corporate ladder or build grassroots communities from the ground up.
You don’t have to be perfect. But make an effort.
When I’d accidentally color outside the lines on one of those fairy tale coloring pages — Thumper from Bambi, Dopey’s hat, Cinderella’s carriage — I’d get frustrated and want to start a new page. My mom would say no. It doesn’t have to be perfect. But practice. She taught me to outline first, then color lightly inside the lines. You’ll get better.
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I carried that lesson into life. I still get frustrated when things don’t go as planned. But I remind myself that it’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, learning and growing.
Wear sunscreen. And moisturize.
Basic, but essential. My mom washed her face every morning and night without fail and always wore sunscreen. It’s something I think about when I use The Organic Skin Co. moisturizer or reach for Sugared + Bronzed Tinted Mineral Sunscreen for both protection and glow.
Rituals matter. They make normal days feel special.
Before we’d cook together, Mom always lit a cinnamon candle and played “The Golden Mile” by Workshy. It turned slow Sundays into something memorable.
Now, I do the same. I whisk my ceremonial matcha from Matcha.com with my bamboo chasen before journaling. My Aroma360 Mini Pro Diffuser lets me swap scents to match my day: something fresh for spring cleaning, something citrusy when friends come over.
Work hard. But also work smart.
Homework had to be done before dinner. My mom expected top grades and helped me get there. We made up songs for history facts, silly acronyms for hero names. She would’ve been obsessed with Studicata, which creates personalized study materials for law students and those prepping for the bar. Adapt to your learning style and weak spots. Though there are no shortcuts, there’s no shame in using tools when they can help.
Pick your fuel wisely.
My mom was a stickler for whole foods, locally sourced and nutrient-dense. No shortcuts. I stick to that ethos today with premium cuts from Meat N’ Bone, clean protein-packed options like Egglife tortilla wraps and bold, high-quality beans from Fresh Roasted Coffee.
Move your body — and enjoy it.
She pushed me outside to play, even when I wanted to stay in with my video games. Movement brought joy. Today, Spikeball lives beside my Nike Strength kettlebells. A reminder that moving my body can still feel like play.
Function is priority, but practical can be stylish.
Our home wasn’t Pinterest-perfect, but it worked. A bench over our shoe rack. Windows, when opened, brought the draft to all rooms in the house. Tables that lasted decades. Mom believed in utility first, but beauty could follow.
Now, I fill my space with long-lasting finds from Teak Warehouse, clean air thanks to Airdog and seasonal ambience from Gemstone Lights. On St. Patrick’s Day, the house goes green. On Mother’s Day? It sparkles.
Style can change with your mood. Don’t feel stuck to an image.
Frilly dresses one day. Jeans and sneakers, next. My mom let me explore all the looks.
Now, I pick what makes me feel confident: a bolo tie from Montana Silversmiths, or something edgy and street from RtA. She taught me that style should follow how you feel, not how you think you should look.
Dare to do things that scare you.
I was a shy kid. But one summer, my mom enrolled me in a theater workshop and practiced my lines with me as I prepared for the lead role. It was terrifying. But I still remember the thrill of it today.
I was also a clumsy kid. But at the playground, she encouraged me to get back up every time I fell. If Strider Bikes had been around back then, she probably would’ve given me one at two.
Stay safe. But have fun.
When I traveled to Italy alone, she gave me a list: Keep your passport close. Extra money in your sock. Take it all in. And make sure you have loads of fun. I still do all of that.
My Scooch phone case holds my cards and cash. And my freezer? Always stocked with Cold Case Ice Cream to add fun, even on the hard days.
Get to know and trust yourself.
Her last and most enduring lesson? Learn to listen inward. Trust your instincts. “What do you need? What do you want? What is your body trying to tell you?” she’d ask whenever I came to her for answers. She never imposed. She invited me to look closer.
This is the kind of life I want to pass on: filled with curiosity, confidence and care. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up for yourself and for the people you love.
Can’t wait to light that candle, cue up Workshy and slather on sunscreen all summer long with my modern mom.