Maybe You’re Doing Better Than You Think

I recently watched a short video my friend & colleague Sam Ervin posted on LinkedIn. It was quiet, honest, powerful and a reminder that we’re often far too hard on ourselves. It stayed with me.

Lately, I’ve been navigating a new (and surprisingly complex) chapter of motherhood:
Parenting adult children.

With one in college and a recent graduate back home as he waits to start his first job, I’ve gone from empty nesting to full nesting again seemingly overnight. And let me tell you, it’s a strange in-between.

They don’t need you the way they used to, but somehow, they still expect you to play the same role: help with laundry, cook dinner, keep the fridge stocked… the list goes on and on. The other day, I actually found myself wondering, “How did they survive college doing all this on their own?” It’s like the moment they walk through the door, the muscle memory kicks in and says, “Mom’s here. She’s got it. “And suddenly, I’m back in the old rhythm, trying to figure out how to support them without hovering, guide them without managing, and also gently remind them that they’re fully capable humans.

It’s emotionally layered and often invisible.

At the same time, work has its own pressures. In my world of event planning, there are nonstop demands, last-minute changes, and a dozen different stakeholders to keep aligned. I’m the one behind the scenes making it all come together, and I genuinely love what I do.

I also tend to say “yes” a lot to new projects, stretch assignments, and volunteer roles… not because I have to, but because I want to. I’m deeply invested in learning and growing both professionally and personally. But that drive to keep improving can sometimes blur into overwhelm.

Some days it feels like I’m carrying the weight of two invisible jobs:
One as a seasoned professional.
The other as a mom learning how to parent differently.

And both matter deeply to me.

So if you’re juggling work, life, learning, and relationships, this is your gentle reminder:

You’re doing better than you think.
You’re not alone.
And it’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out yet.

What season are you in right now, and what’s helping you navigate it?
I’d love to hear your story.