De-influencing you as a mom

Being a 28-year-old mom in today's world often feels like navigating a constant comparison trap. From perfectly curated social media feeds showing impeccably decorated nurseries and serene family outings, it's easy to fall into the belief that your own reality isn't enough. But let me tell you, as a 28-year-old mom myself, the unfiltered truth is far more relatable and, in its own way, much more beautiful. I often find myself constantly exhausted. The cycle of cleaning, cooking, and chasing after a little one is real, and it’s relentless. Especially when your baby, like my one-year-old daughter, needs to be held for every nap and bedtime because she cannot self-soothe to sleep unless in her car seat. Those precious moments of quiet often come when she's sleeping on my chest, leaving me glued to the couch. It's hard to imagine having a moment to myself, let alone time alone with my husband! We truly include our daughter in everything, which is lovely, but also means date nights are a distant memory. And while those influencer homes look dreamy, my reality is living full-time in an RV. It means we don't 'decorate' in the traditional sense, and moving frequently is just part of our routine. Sometimes I still feel a pang that I never got to decorate her daughter's room, longing for that picture-perfect nursery. But then I look at her sweet face in her little RV crib, surrounded by her essentials, and I know she has everything she needs—especially our love and presence. Oh, and the dogs! Our Rottweiler and Husky are part of the family, but caring for them honestly feels like a second job now that we have a baby. Their needs add another layer to an already full plate, but their unconditional love truly makes our busy life richer and our family complete. It's not all rainbows and blessings, either. Even at 28, I still battle those lingering postpartum thoughts – that nagging fear something bad might happen to my daughter. It’s a silent struggle many moms face, and it's okay to acknowledge it. We pray often, and that spiritual connection gives me so much peace and strength to push through those anxieties. Then there's the push and pull of wanting to travel and experience new places versus the desire to settle down so our daughter can have childhood friends and a stable community. It's a balance we're constantly trying to strike, hoping to give her the best of both worlds. But through it all, what truly anchors us is prioritizing each other and finding happiness in the little moments, no matter where we are or what challenges we face. We work to appreciate the blessings we have, even if our life doesn't look like an Instagram reel. You're doing amazing, mama.