"My desire for softness now is not a betrayal of my former self, or a regret, or a misdirection. It is simply a new chapter, and I’m grateful for all of the lives I’ve lived before my daughter."
So beautifully said.
I loved this post, Violet. Every word of it. I especially love your title as I too have found this to be REALLY true!
Thank you so much for reading and for this sweet comment! I relate to much of what you write as well, esp on this topic, I had a feeling we’d be connected on this one 🫶🏻🩵
Congratulations! I'm so glad you are able to pull back and focus on what you love! I worked remotely part-time for the first two years home with my son and I felt so trapped and overwhelmed. Since I quit that job I feel like my brain has awakened and am writing for the first time in decades! It's such a good feeling.
I’m so proud of you! I knew you’d be some type of writer back in the Valrico house days where I’d see your notes from previous classes all beautifully written in those gel pens! Not to mention the raps you and your buddies made. …🎶in the front lawn…scary mulch!!!!!
Also I totally pictured escalating music to end your closing. Goosebumps! 🩷🩷🩷
I love this post so much. It expresses something I have also felt in motherhood, but which I have kept secret and quiet because it's hard to find a space (and the words) to express it. At a time where the world has contracted so much, where I feel like I often exist outside of thought and time, I am also ambitious and vivacious and driven and alive and want to do so, so much. It feels close to taboo.
Isn't your child enough? Isn't motherhood enough?
Wrong questions. Irrelevant questions. My coming into motherhood has awakened a multitude of other becomings in me.
Skye this is a beautiful comment!! I also feel like I exist sometimes outside the parameters of time. I love your reframing of those “questions” that aren’t at the crux of it all. Thank you for reading and posting this thoughtful reflection 🩵🫶🏻
Your closing line gave me full body chills: "I write because I have to. And so I begin my ascent."
Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful and resonant essay on the shapeshifting of our ambition after having children. Your words are important and need to be shared! I couldn't relate more and share a similar dream that no longer wants to stay dormant, in large part because of my transformation to mother. This is a piece I'll be saving so I can read it again (and perhaps again and again) to feel less alone when it's time for me to seriously pursue the great pivot. Rooting for you, for me, and all the mothers reaching for unlocked desires.
I’m emotional today and this comment made me cry a real tear 🥹🩵 Lol thank you so much for this! I felt esp vulnerable writing this one? Even tho it’s objectively not as vulnerable as other topics I’ve written about, just v cathartic and it’s rly comforting to know there are others feeling similarly — I’m so happy we connected on Substack 💌
Beautiful and true. Always here to
support and love you😍😍😍
I love you, too! 🩵
"My desire for softness now is not a betrayal of my former self, or a regret, or a misdirection. It is simply a new chapter, and I’m grateful for all of the lives I’ve lived before my daughter."
So beautifully said.
I loved this post, Violet. Every word of it. I especially love your title as I too have found this to be REALLY true!
Thank you so much for reading and for this sweet comment! I relate to much of what you write as well, esp on this topic, I had a feeling we’d be connected on this one 🫶🏻🩵
Beautiful, just beautiful.
🩵🩵🩵
Congratulations! I'm so glad you are able to pull back and focus on what you love! I worked remotely part-time for the first two years home with my son and I felt so trapped and overwhelmed. Since I quit that job I feel like my brain has awakened and am writing for the first time in decades! It's such a good feeling.
I’m SO happy for you and totally relate to that feeling. I’m hoping to be in the same boat as you come next year. Thank you for reading and GO US 🩵🫶🏻
I’m so proud of you! I knew you’d be some type of writer back in the Valrico house days where I’d see your notes from previous classes all beautifully written in those gel pens! Not to mention the raps you and your buddies made. …🎶in the front lawn…scary mulch!!!!!
Also I totally pictured escalating music to end your closing. Goosebumps! 🩷🩷🩷
Heheh I love you too! Away with the boring law, in with all of the words. Thank you for being my No 1 fan!! 🩵🫶🏻
You’re welcome 🥰
I love this post so much. It expresses something I have also felt in motherhood, but which I have kept secret and quiet because it's hard to find a space (and the words) to express it. At a time where the world has contracted so much, where I feel like I often exist outside of thought and time, I am also ambitious and vivacious and driven and alive and want to do so, so much. It feels close to taboo.
Isn't your child enough? Isn't motherhood enough?
Wrong questions. Irrelevant questions. My coming into motherhood has awakened a multitude of other becomings in me.
Skye this is a beautiful comment!! I also feel like I exist sometimes outside the parameters of time. I love your reframing of those “questions” that aren’t at the crux of it all. Thank you for reading and posting this thoughtful reflection 🩵🫶🏻
Your closing line gave me full body chills: "I write because I have to. And so I begin my ascent."
Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful and resonant essay on the shapeshifting of our ambition after having children. Your words are important and need to be shared! I couldn't relate more and share a similar dream that no longer wants to stay dormant, in large part because of my transformation to mother. This is a piece I'll be saving so I can read it again (and perhaps again and again) to feel less alone when it's time for me to seriously pursue the great pivot. Rooting for you, for me, and all the mothers reaching for unlocked desires.
I’m emotional today and this comment made me cry a real tear 🥹🩵 Lol thank you so much for this! I felt esp vulnerable writing this one? Even tho it’s objectively not as vulnerable as other topics I’ve written about, just v cathartic and it’s rly comforting to know there are others feeling similarly — I’m so happy we connected on Substack 💌
You're definitely not alone! And I'm so happy we connected, too!