The Real Reason You're Stuck (And how to get unstuck)

Dear Beautiful Soul,

I see you there, scrolling through this post at 11:47 PM while everyone else sleeps. I see you in the grocery store, calculating every dollar while your toddler melts down in aisle three. I see you staring at your reflection some mornings, wondering where you went—the woman who used to have dreams, goals, and a voice that mattered.

You're running on empty, aren't you? Not just tired from the sleepless nights or the endless juggling act between work, kids, and keeping everyone else's world spinning. You're soul-tired. Heart-tired. Tired in a way that sleep can't fix because somewhere along the way, you stopped being a person and became a function.

But here's what I need you to know right now: You are not broken. You are not behind. You are not too late.

The Prison of "Just Getting By"

Let me tell you about the day I realized I was living in a prison of my own making. It was a Tuesday—isn't it always a Tuesday?—and I found myself crying in the cereal aisle because my four-year-old asked for the "fancy" cereal, and I couldn't afford the extra two dollars. But it wasn't really about the cereal, was it? It was about feeling like I had shrunk myself down to nothing more than a budget, a schedule, and a series of "no's."

I had become so focused on surviving that I forgot I was supposed to be living.

That's when it hit me like lightning: The real reason we stay stuck isn't lack of opportunity, resources, or even time. It's because we've convinced ourselves that wanting more makes us selfish, ungrateful, or unrealistic.

We've been told that good mothers sacrifice everything. That struggling makes us noble. That putting ourselves last is love.

Sister, that's not love—that's martyrdom. And martyrs don't build legacies; they build resentment.

The Truth About Getting Unstuck

Getting unstuck isn't about a complete life overhaul or waiting for perfect circumstances. It's about remembering who you are beneath all the roles you play and making small, intentional shifts that honor both your responsibilities and your dreams. Here are five transformational steps that changed everything for me—and will change everything for you:

1. Reclaim Your Identity Beyond "Mom"

Write down three things you loved about yourself before you became a mother. Not what you did for others, but who you were. Were you creative? Ambitious? Funny? Adventurous? That woman didn't disappear—she's just been buried under laundry and lunch boxes.

Action step: This week, do one small thing that connects you to that original version of yourself. Take a dance class online. Write a poem. Call that friend who made you laugh until your stomach hurt.

2. Stop Apologizing for Your Dreams

Your dreams are not selfish; they're essential. When you pursue what lights you up, you model for your children that life is meant to be lived fully, not just endured. You teach them that women have value beyond what they give to others.

Mindset shift: Instead of saying "I wish I could..." start saying "I'm figuring out how to..." This tiny change rewires your brain from helpless to resourceful.

3. Create Sacred Boundaries

You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot give what you don't have. Boundaries aren't walls— they're the foundation that allows you to show up authentically for the people who matter most.

Practical step: Choose one hour this week that belongs only to you. Not for chores, not for others' needs —just for you. Protect it like you would protect your child.

4. Shift from Scarcity to Possibility

When we're in survival mode, we see only what's missing. But abundance isn't about having more money —it's about recognizing the resources, skills, and opportunities that already exist around you.

Daily practice: Each morning, write down three things you're grateful for and one possibility you see for your day. Train your mind to look for openings instead of obstacles.

5. Invest in Your Future Self

The woman you're becoming deserves the same care and attention you give to everyone else. This might mean taking an online course, starting that side business, or simply believing that your goals matter as much as everyone else's needs.

Reality check: You don't need permission to bet on yourself. You don't need a perfect plan. You just need to start.

Your Transformation Starts Now

I want you to do something right now. Put your hand on your heart and say these words out loud:

"I am not stuck because I lack opportunity. I am not stuck because I don't have time. I am not stuck because I'm not smart enough or capable enough. I am stuck because I've been afraid to believe I deserve more. But that fear ends today."

Here's your call to action: Take out your journal (or your phone notes) and answer this question: "If I knew I couldn't fail, what would I do in the next 90 days to move toward the life I actually want?"

Don't edit yourself. Don't be practical. Just dream on paper.

Then choose one tiny step from that vision and take it this week. Not next month. Not when things slow down. This week.

You Are the Hero of Your Own Story

Beautiful soul, you've been waiting for permission that will never come. You've been waiting for the perfect moment that doesn't exist. You've been waiting for someone else to see your worth and validate your dreams.

But here's the truth that will set you free: You are not the supporting character in everyone else's story. You are the hero of your own.

Your children don't need a perfect mother who sacrifices everything. They need a whole mother who shows them what it looks like to honor both love and ambition, both service and self-care, both commitment and dreams.

You matter. Your dreams matter. Your healing matters. Your transformation matters.

The world is waiting for what only you can give—but first, you have to remember who you are and claim the life that's calling your name.

You've got this, warrior. It's time to rise.

Ready to stop surviving and start thriving? Request my free guide "The Single Mom's Identity Recovery Kit" and join thousands of women who've chosen to reclaim their power, purpose, and joy.

Your transformation starts with a single step—take it today!