Mothersense

The View from Here: Why Your “Lens” Changes Everything

March 7, 2026March 16, 2026 by Mothersense, posted in This Life

Let’s be real: it’s incredibly easy to fixate on the “gap.” You know the one—that space between where you are right now and that shiny, idealized version of your life you’re constantly chasing. We spend so much time obsessing over what we lack, the goals we haven’t hit yet, and the “to-do” list that never seems to end.
But here’s a thought: The lens you choose to look through determines how heavy your feet feel as you move through the world. If you’re only looking at the summit, the climb feels like a chore. If you take a second to look back at the trail you’ve already blazed? That’s where the magic happens.
Take a “Conscious Inventory”
I’m not suggesting you ignore your struggles or pretend you don’t want more. I’m suggesting you take a conscious inventory of the “already.”
What do you already have? What have you already survived? What lessons are already tucked into your pocket? Being grateful for what’s present doesn’t mean you’ve stopped growing; it means you’re fueling your growth with appreciation instead of desperation.
Why You Need to Keep a Paper Trail
If you aren’t already, start journaling. Seriously.
Memory is a fickle thing—it likes to trick us into thinking we’ve stayed in the same place. Journaling is your “proof of life.” It’s the evidence of your growth (or a gentle wake-up call regarding your stagnation).
* Look at your progress: Read a horizontal entry from six months ago. You’ll likely see problems you’ve since solved and fears you’ve since conquered.
* Identify the ruts: If you notice you’re complaining about the exact same thing for a year straight, that’s not a failure—it’s data. It’s a sign to re-evaluate that specific goal or habit.
Progress Over Perfection
Give yourself some grace. You are a work in progress, and “progress” doesn’t always look like a straight line up. Sometimes it looks like a plateau where you’re just catching your breath. That’s okay. Re-evaluate your goals, adjust your pack, and keep moving.
Pocket Affirmations for the Journey
Carry these with you this week when the “gap” starts feeling a little too wide:
* “I am the living evidence of my own resilience and growth.”
* “I choose to celebrate the person I am becoming, even while I’m in the middle of the process.”
* “Grace is my fuel, and progress is my compass—perfection is not required.”
* “I have everything I need to take the very next step.”

Love and light…..it’s going to get better, be better, you just have to believe!

2026 Saddle Up

February 19, 2026March 25, 2026 by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation

2026: Saddle Up – Multiple Streams in a Changing America.

We are living in a rapidly shifting America. The news cycle moves at lightning speed, and if you let it, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

Layoffs. Inflation. Political noise. Social division. It is a lot. But here’s the flip side.

We are also living in one of the most opportunity-rich times in history. Never before have ordinary people had such direct access to tools, platforms, and audiences that allow them to create income outside of a traditional 9–5. And while I have written before about the pressure to monetize every hobby (because yes, that pressure is real), there is a difference between feeling forced… and feeling empowered. If you want to crochet. If you want to sew. If you want to flip furniture. If you want to create content. There is no harm in building something that belongs to you.

And in 2026 – The Year of the Horse – maybe it is time to ride….

🧶Turning Hobbies into Income

You do not have to quit your job. In fact, keeping your standard job as a safety net while building something on the side is one of the smartest financial moves you can make.

Here are some practical ways people are monetizing hobbies right now:

Handmade & Creative Goods Selling on Etsy.

Handmade or Vintage finds on eBay

Local vendor markets and pop-up events.

Custom orders through social media.

Crochet blankets.

Quilts.

Reusable bags.

Seasonal décor.

Digital downloads.

Printable planners.

There is a niche for almost everything. The key? Start small. Test the waters. You don’t need a warehouse – you need consistency….

♻️ Refurbish, Repurpose, Resell.

Some people see junk. Others see opportunity. Furniture flipping. Thrift store reselling. Estate sale sourcing. Upcycling décor. Restoring tools or equipment. A $20 dresser and a weekend of sanding can turn into $200. Small margins add up when you learn what sells. And bonus: you are keeping items out of landfills….

📱 The Digital Gold Rush: UGC & Affiliate Marketing.

This is where things get interesting. Many brands now pay everyday people to create UGC (User Generated Content) – short videos, testimonials, product demonstrations -that they use for advertising.You do not need a massive following. You need: Clear audio. Decent lighting. Authentic delivery. Opportunities include:

UGC creator platforms. SKOOL, Discord Affiliate marketing (earn commission for recommending products)

Amazon storefronts.

Digital course creation.

Print-on-demand merchandising.

Blogging with ad revenue.

If you already talk about products you love, why not get paid for it?

💼 Network & Financial Services Opportunities.

Some choose to build businesses through established companies like Primerica, insurance sales, or financial education services. These models require research, licensing, and understanding compensation structures — but for the right personality, they can create residual income streams and team-based growth.

As with anything: do your homework. Understand the commitment. Make sure it aligns with your values.

⚖️ The Balance: Productivity vs. Peace

Let me say this clearly. Not every hobby needs to become a hustle.The joy of crocheting just to crochet? Sacred. The peace of baking just to share? Beautiful. The creativity of writing just because you must? Necessary.

But if you feel a pull, not pressure — a genuine curiosity about building something of your own, this is a uniquely powerful time to try.

You can:

✅️Keep your day job.

✅️Protect your benefits.

✅️Experiment in evenings or weekends.

✅️Fail quietly.

✅️Learn loudly.

✅️Adjust quickly.

Multiple streams of income are not about greed. They are about resilience….

🐴 2026: The Year of the Horse. 🐴 The horse represents momentum. Strength. Endurance. Forward motion. Maybe this is not the year of frantic hustling. Maybe it is the year of intentional building. Start the Etsy shop. List the first item on eBay. Film the first UGC sample. Sign up for the course. Research the opportunity. Draft the business name.You do not have to gallop. You just have to move.

2026 is going to be a ride. Let’s go.

A is for Addiction

February 15, 2026March 26, 2026 by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation

Addiction.

Just sit with that word for a moment.
It carries weight. It sounds heavy. Shame-filled. Final. I can’t think of many positive things we associate with it.
I personally smoke cigarettes (working toward quitting), and I am absolutely a caffeine addict — and probably sugar too. But beyond my own habits, I have loved addicts. Not just romantically. Friends. Family. People I would go to the ends of the earth for.

So let’s ask the question plainly:
Is addiction a disease? A condition to be treated? Something recovery is possible from?
Yeah. Yes. It is.

What Is Addiction?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as:
A treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains it similarly — addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences.
Chronic.
Medical.
Treatable.

Those words matter.

And here’s something else that matters:

In the United States, about 1 in 6 people struggle with a substance use disorder each year.
Millions more struggle with nicotine dependence.
Caffeine dependence is widely recognized.
Studies show that highly processed foods can trigger brain reward systems in ways similar to addictive substances.
This isn’t rare. This isn’t “those people.” This is us. Our neighbors. Our families.

We Joke About It… But Should We?
People casually say, “I’m a coffee addict.”
Or “I’m addicted to Diet Coke.”
Or “Don’t talk to me before my sugar.”
But do we understand the weight of that word?

Yes — you really can be addicted to sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and highly processed foods. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human with a brain wired for reward.
Our brains are designed to remember what feels good and to repeat it. Dopamine — the “feel good” neurotransmitter — reinforces behaviors that provide pleasure or relief. Over time, repetition becomes reliance. Reliance becomes dependence.
And dependence, when disrupted, becomes withdrawal.

The Logan Story
Let me tell you a story.
Logan was 10. His mom wasn’t much of a cook, so meals were mostly pre-packaged, fast food, convenient — and let me say clearly: fed is fed. No judgment. Survival comes first.
But when summer came, Logan went to stay with Dad and stepmom. They cooked fresh food. Fruits. Vegetables. Homemade meals. Grilled burgers and hot dogs.
Within days, Logan had what looked like the flu. Headaches. Fatigue. Irritability. Just not himself.
His big sister picked him up, took him to the movies and — yes — McDonald’s.
Miraculous recovery.
Until a week later, when the “flu” returned.
He wasn’t sick. He was withdrawing.
His body had become accustomed to high levels of sugar, sodium, and processed additives. When they disappeared, his system reacted.
Dad refused to reintroduce the fast food. They let his body recalibrate. It was uncomfortable. It was eye-opening. And it was very real.
Logan didn’t know he was dependent.
But his body did.

It’s All the Same Brain
Opioids.
Nicotine.
Methamphetamine.
Alcohol.
Sugar.
Caffeine.

Different substances. Same reward circuitry.
When we remove what the brain has grown used to, the body protests.

Withdrawal can look like:
Headaches
Fatigue
Anxiety
Irritability
Nausea
Depression
Physical pain

Some withdrawals are uncomfortable. Some are dangerous. Some are life-threatening.
But the mechanism? The brain wanting what it has been trained to expect.

So Where Do We Start?

We start by naming it.

Without shame.

We stop whispering about addiction like it’s a moral failure. We stop labeling people as “weak” or “lacking willpower.”
We start asking:
What pain is this numbing?
What pattern is this reinforcing?
What support is missing?
Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery thrives in connection.
Somewhere, there has to be a conscious decision to become mindful of what we are putting into our bodies — and why.

Not with judgment.
With curiosity.

My Truth
I am a caffeine addict.
I am nicotine dependent.
I am working on both.
And I have loved addicts.

Deeply.

We need to help one another make better choices instead of judging someone’s struggle. Because it could be you. It could be me. It could be someone you love.
Addiction is not a character flaw.

It is a condition.
It is treatable.
Recovery is possible.

And compassion? That should be non-negotiable

Recalibrating Gratitude

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 by Mothersense, posted in This Life

I sometimes catch myself being ungrateful.
Not in a loud, stomping-my-feet kind of way. Not in a way that would be obvious to anyone watching. But in the quiet way where I start overlooking what’s good and fixating only on what’s wrong.
The past few months have been particularly rough — financially, emotionally, physically. I still don’t have real answers about the left flank pain, though it has improved, and for that I am thankful. The heart issues? They seem to have been a fluke… or maybe a warning shot across the bow. Either way, my heart is strong, my blood pressure has normalized, and that is no small gift.
Emotionally and physically, though? It’s felt like one of those rickety carnival rides — the kind that jerks you around without warning. Up, down, sideways, spinning just fast enough to make you question your equilibrium.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I caught myself.
Not focusing on solutions. Not leaning into my usual “everything is figure-outable” mantra. Not scanning for silver linings or mapping out next steps.
I was wallowing.
And honestly? That’s not like me at all.
I’m the one who finds the bright side. I’m the one who reframes. I’m the one who says, “Okay, this is hard — now what are we going to do about it?”
But even the strong ones get tired. Even the optimistic ones have days where the weight feels heavier than usual.
So I did what I know to do when I feel myself drifting off course.
I recalibrated.
I carved out a little time each day to be alone. To reflect. To sit with my life and my circumstances without judgment. And somewhere in that quiet, I found something steady again.
Gratitude.
Not the fluffy, hashtag kind. The grounded kind. The kind that says: I am still here.
I am still able to spend time with my mostly grown kids.
I get to hear my sweet Aubree call me “Grand-ma-ma!”
I get to feel Charlotte slip her little hand into mine and lean in for a forehead kiss.
That is not small. That is everything.
I am fortunate. I am blessed. Even on the bad days. Even when the money feels tight. Even when my body feels unpredictable. Even when I have a moment (or two) of wallowing.
Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending things aren’t hard. It means refusing to let the hard things be the only things I see.
Perspective, y’all.
If you are weary, you are not alone. If you’ve been riding your own version of a bad carnival ride, I see you. But take a moment. Look around. Find one thing — just one — that anchors you back to what’s still good.
Recalibrate.
Because bitterness is heavy. Despair is suffocating. But gratitude? Gratitude steadies the ride.
We’ve got this.
Love and light, folks.

Becoming and Unbecoming

February 3, 2026March 25, 2026 by Mothersense, posted in This Life

2026 has already been a doozy.
We welcomed January with a whole host of breaks—some expected, some not. Now we’re stepping into February, and the old groundhog has seen his shadow. Six more weeks of winter, and honestly? I’m not mad about it.
I prefer cooler temperatures. Always have. But the darkness—sometimes that gets to me. Not in a seasonal depression kind of way, more like a please give me a little more daylight so I can get things done kind of way. Still, this in-between season matters. Transition always does.
Maybe that’s why this time feels so significant—because I am transitioning too.
I’m becoming a better version of myself. A more complete self. One who is no longer trying to mask big feelings or tuck disappointments neatly out of sight for the comfort of others. I am becoming more. And if I’m too loud, too much, too intense for some people—as Elyse Myers so perfectly put it—“Go find less.”
I will happily apologize for past wrongs, for mistakes I’ve made, for moments where I fell short. But I will not apologize for being myself. If that means some people fall away, I will let them. I’ll grieve a little—because loss is still loss—but I also understand now that not everyone is meant to go where I’m headed.
This season is about becoming and unbecoming.
Letting go of what no longer fits.
Shedding versions of myself that were built for survival, not peace.
I will always fiercely defend my children and my chosen family. That part of me is immovable. But I am no longer clinging to blood ties simply because they exist. Those ties have been complicated—heavy—and loyalty owed solely to blood has caused me deep harm. I’m untangling that now. I’m lowering my expectations of people who have shown me, repeatedly, who they are.
And here’s the quiet power in that:
What I’m building next—what’s coming for me—cannot be touched or taken. It will be mine. And it will become a legacy for the family I created, not the one I was born into.
Winter can linger a little longer.
So can this becoming.
I’m not rushing it.