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Things I've read and a poem shared

I help create spaces where mothers can pause, connect, and build community. You can read about mental health and motherhood by becoming a reader or by supporting the Mental Health & Motherhood Summit events.

In the midst of the grief and the need to carry people through heavy times, I have been blessed by mothers.

A mother who invited me into her home for pizza and sunshine. A mother who sent me a message because she saw that I had been grieving the unexpected loss of my aunt. A mother who sent me an email inviting me to share creative space with others because she read my last piece on not having fun.

I’ve had a lot of people ask how I am doing in the past month and when I say I am fine, they don’t seem to believe me. I am not trying to be strong for anyone, but the answer feels too complex to dive into.

I am quietly reflecting my life and how I interact within it.

There is a lot of noise in this world and if I contribute to it, I want to know that I can be less stoic. I want to be soft. I want to have my speech be seasoned with salt and not bitterness.

There is a lot going on right now, my friends. Personally, this past month has been a huge stressor for me that makes me often want to shut down.

There have been willful battles between my daughter and I, a house buying process, work stress, and the continued realization that I deeply need Jesus to discipline my judgmental thoughts. (Truly the letter of James in the Bible and the parable of the ungrateful servant have gutted me this week in my self-reflection).

What is the difference between burnout and quiet reflection?

I have so much motivation to strive forward and create and do, but by the end of the day I am exhausted.

I feel the regret that I cannot read one book for my own pleasure without my eyes growing heavy. I want to retreat into a quiet place while also feeling the intense desire to accomplish all of the things. I want to be alone while surrounded by my family in my own space.

Here, in this space, I am carving out time to read over the numerous speaker applications that were submitted by women of every background.

I pray over each one and run them through a series of questions between loading up the dishwasher and giving watercolor paints to my daughter. I read the statement of intent for this event over and over as I make my considerations and ask for external guidance.

The Mental Health & Motherhood Summit is a virtual event designed to connect mothers with mental health resources, offering a low-barrier approach that deeply values community and connection.

The major topics that are grouping up reflect the topics I often write about myself here on Motherhood Minute. I wonder which ones resonate the most for you?

• Maternal Identity & Matrescence

• Creativity, Writing, & Healing

• Mental Health & Resilience

• Postpartum & Connection Between Physical & Mental Health

I hope the women who have submitted these applications understand how seriously I hold their submissions in consideration. I hope that even those not selected can somehow feel equally as held.

What a weighty responsibility this can be.

Things I liked recently (in no order):

• Krista Steele
  writes about her book club, food, and motherhood community

• My own piece on writing about motherhood unfiltered from the archives

• Yelena Sheremeta
  sharing her thoughts on the wrong conversation about work and parenthood

Finally, I had an online friend,

Mariah Friend

more specifically, reach out to me via email last week. Like most emails, I opened it and then left it back on unread, only to be forgotten. After apologizing for hiding in plain sight, which feels like a perfect summary of my online and in-person presence right now, she sent me a lovely poem she wrote. With her permission, here is Mariah’s poem.

Shatter

You were never

meant

to be unbroken


but don’t mistake

broken

for incomplete


let yourself

shatter

into the night


Like so many

fireflies

blinking


their scattered light


And when 

the pieces

go missing


when you

forget

how to belong


go on a gathering

mission

some starless eve’


with an open

mason jar,

call yourself home


Arrange

your life

like a mosaic


leave nothing out

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Want to get involved?

You can learn more about the resources, updates, and volunteer positions available for the 2025 Mental Health and Motherhood Summit at www.mentalhealthmomevent.com/news