Almost twenty years ago, I was 20 years old and it was the year 2000! Wha?! With my 40th birthday coming up in December, it seems appropriate to take a look at this milestone and appreciate the journey that’s gotten me here.

So as I reach the big 4-0 as a mom of a three-year-old daughter, I’m reflecting on some insights that would’ve served me well in my 20s, had I really let them sink in. These things also happen to be things I try to remember daily now, AND that I’d like to pass down to my daughter too.

In essence, this episode is a list of the “top 5 things I would tell my 20-year-old self”, but definitely apply to any age. Some of these are things I learned before becoming a mom, but they didn’t really sink in good until after the big transition into motherhood.

Motherhood changes you. I would argue it changes you for the better. I have no scientific proof to back that up. But I DO know lots of really awesome, talented, resilient, strong, wise, loving, and resourceful moms!! And, as a personal observation, I feel like I have grown more in the last several years after becoming a mom than I have in the previous 36.

So maybe I got wiser as a mom, but I think more likely I just finally took enough time to think about what was really important to me. When a little human relies on you for everything, that tends to happen.

I talk about

The FIVE insights I would tell my twenty-year-old self. And consequently, things I actually tell myself often now too.

1. Failure is a normal part of life and a necessary part of success.
2. You can’t control what other people think about you.
3. Work on YOU first. (See links and resources)
4. Plan that things won’t go as planned.
5. It’s never too late to start something new.

And a couple of bonus thoughts*-

• Especially when it comes to people, there’s always more going on than what you can see on the outside.
• ALWAYS wear sunscreen on your face! (That was some hand-me-down wisdom from my mom that I’m now grateful for. So, you’re welcome.)

Maybe these 5 (or 6) insights were super obvious to you, but I hope they were at least good reminders.

I hope you were encouraged and maybe take just ONE of these things today and really think about how you can apply it to your life to make you a better mom, wife, friend, and all-around person. Then take a simple step in the right direction. Something really easy. The easier and simpler, the better.

Just take action! (okay, that’s another thing I coach myself on doing all the time, but I don’t want to overwhelm you with all my bits of “obvious wisdom” 🙂

Resources and links

Myers-Briggs resources-

• Websites:
• The Myers & Briggs Foundation
• What Each Myers-Briggs Personality Type is Like as a Mom (Article)
• 16Personalities

Enneagram resources-

• Websites:
• The Enneagram Institute
• Ian Morgan Crohn (author, podcaster, speaker)
• Books:
• The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
• The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher L. Heuertz

Gallup Strengthsfinder-

• Gallup Strengthsfinder website

Other books I really enjoyed for personal-development and self-reflection if you want to go deeper.

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
• Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown
• Believe Boldly: The Power of Simple, Confident Prayer to Unleash the Supernatural by Erica Willis
• Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God by Mark Batterson
• The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst

Yes, there are LOTS more fantastic resources, but if you haven’t tried these, I’m going to encourage you to start with one of these.

And for fun, here is the mineral sunscreen I currently use on my face every day under makeup – Hynt Beauty Sun Prep

More about the Gotcha Mama Podcast:

The Gotcha Mama Podcast is where we share honest stories of the joys and struggles of mom-life with young kids.

Each week host Amanda Bennett interviews a mom about topics ranging from awkwardly making mom friends, to chasing BIG dreams and finding purpose, to managing crippling anxiety and depression. You’ll hear stories from moms like you with the purpose to inspire, encourage, and entertain you.

We understand that motherhood can be lonely and make you doubt yourself. The Gotcha Mama Podcast exists to let you know that you are not alone as a busy mom of young kiddos, no matter what you’re dealing with.

The show is all about tearing down our insecurities as moms by honestly sharing our stories and a little of what we’ve learned along the way.

We believe it’s a whole lot better riding the rollercoaster of motherhood together!

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