In this episode, I’m sitting on my closet floor after a very full week and talking through a realization that stopped me in my tracks: sometimes we do not make ourselves small because someone else is being negative. Sometimes we make ourselves small because we keep choosing everyone else, even when we love doing it.

I’m talking about motherhood, marriage, anxiety, asking for help, taking up space, and why the oxygen mask is not just so we can help everybody else. It is so we can breathe too.

If you have been showing up for everyone but yourself, come sit with me for this one.

00:00 Surprise, We’re Doing an Episode

00:47 Friday, Baby Jesus, and Imperfect Progress

02:17 Life Update: Cheer, School, and Denim and Diamonds

04:11 Tiny Queens and Student Council Inauguration

05:20 Acid Reflux, Alo Jackets, and Disney Holiday Hopes

07:35 Almost Getting a Dog

08:04 Missing the Footsie Pajama Stage

09:16 Continuing the Dreamer and Sidekick Conversation

10:26 The Gift of Being a Constant Friend

12:21 Taking Up Space

14:24 Marriage, Partnership, and Switching Roles

16:50 Movement, Anxiety, and Needing Time for Myself

19:16 Choosing Others Until You Disappear

22:14 The Cape, the Outfit, and Being Loud Again

24:15 Skipping Lunch to Create Peace at Home

26:11 The Oxygen Mask Is for You Too

32:17 Don’t Let Yourself Make You Small

34:53 Letting People Help You

37:25 Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard

38:36 Closet Floor Wrap Up