Let's Celebrate: Your Biggest 2022 Wins in Motherhood & More
In the spirit of celebrating one another, we asked 10 mothers in the gray area—that space between career and family life—to share their biggest wins from the year. Here’s what they had to say.
“I've been waking up at 4 or 4:30 a.m. to work for the last four years to accommodate my kids' needs and our family's schedule. This year, I shifted my hours to start working closer to 5:30 a.m. and it has made a world of difference for my mind, body, spirit—and parenting.” — Carol H.
“[I’m] celebrating making it through a challenging year post-pandemic trying to recalibrate things both personally and professionally.” — Laurie S.
“My son went to a new feeding therapist and is eating all new foods so that’s my biggest win. The fact that I’m still fitting in [writing] essays and chapters is also something I’m proud of.” — Jaclyn L.
“I lost my job. It was part-time and semi-flexible. I thought it was my ‘dream job,’ until now—in retrospect—I can see just how toxic it was. So who knows if this is really a ‘win,’ but I lost my job this year and leaned into full-time parenthood and I think I’m all the better for it!” — Emily P.
“I signed with a major literary agency in September after they cold emailed me, and now we're on submission to 16 editors, with an expectation of final offers in January. I landed some of the biggest features of my career, many of which will come out in 2023. I moved. I finally made it into the New York Times Magazine. My kids are both out of diapers!” — Hannah S.
“I potty-trained twin toddlers and I wrote a business plan for a company I’ve been dreaming of launching for years!” — Jenna S.
“In 2020, when everyone was home, I ground myself into one of my worst habits of all time: staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. to work without having to worry about little ones. I am pleased to report that in 2022, I’ve finally shaken off this habit and now prioritize a way earlier bedtime (and parsing work out slowly throughout the week while my kids are in school)! I enjoy life so much more now that I’m out of zombie-mode.” — Lizzie D.
“I am finally learning the art of saying ‘no’. I used to feel like that made me lazy or ungracious, but now I’m reframing it as a way to protect the peace for myself and my family.” — Greta H.
“This was the year I started reading for pleasure again. There was a time when I told myself I didn’t have time for hobbies and raising my kids. I’m glad that’s over.” — Patricia P.
“I made an enormous, terrifying leap and signed the lease on what will be my first boutique clothing store! Now that my boys are in all-day school, I’m ready to take on something lofty and thrilling.” — Norah N.
Read More:
