Motherhood

An exercise in humility

As I reminisce about my own motherhood journey (my little girl is almost 3), I find that being humbled is a recurring theme.

Think about it - you have little to no control over whether and how easily you get pregnant, how you (and your baby) feel during those 40 weeks, how your delivery goes, and how that intense fourth trimester goes. Oh, and it's true for every regression, your little one's looks, abilities and temperament, what school they get into, their friends, and who they choose as life partners. I'm not even counting the poop on the floor, and vomit clean-ups on the plane. (3 times on a 3 hour flight? Come on! The whole plane was handing us their barf bags.)

Parenthood is basically a long obstacle race (with just enough joy to keep you addicted). You play the cards you're dealt. But you come out stronger, with more confidence in your ability to navigate new circumstances. Being challenged and humbled at every point in this journey has made me a more compassionate and thoughtful person. And for that, I thank my daughter.

Of course, being humbled is not the exclusive purview of parents (you just get it for free when you have kids). Whether you have a child or not, I say this - choose experiences in your life that humble you, put yourself out there, and you will be better for it. Leaving my career in finance to start We Ate Well has been another humbling yet exhilarating journey, and I'm so glad I chose it.

And now I'm off to celebrate with a glass of wine having somehow convinced this toddler to eat half an apple in the form of "cookies".

Happy Mother’s Day to the lovely moms and mother figures reading this! The days are long but the years are short.