Rediscovering You: Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Caregiving

Hey, friend. Can we have a real heart-to-heart for a second?

When was the last time you thought about you—not the mom, not the caregiver, not the woman juggling all the schedules and wiping all the tears—but just... you?

Before the sleepless nights.Before the therapy appointments.Before the never-ending to-do lists that live rent-free in your brain. Before life became about taking care of everyone else.

Some days, I catch myself wondering, Who was I before all of this? And maybe even more importantly… Who am I now?

The Power of Remembering Her

This past weekend, I had the honor of speaking at the Dear Mom Conference in Laguna Beach, California—an incredible space created just for moms raising children with Down Syndrome. It’s a weekend filled with community, connection, and the kind of deep soul exhale we don't even realize we need.

The workshop I led was all about reclaiming your identity—finding yourself again beyond the role of “Mom” or “Caregiver.” I watched as brave, beautiful women sat in that space, reflecting on who they once were and who they still long to be. It was powerful. Emotional. Healing. Because here’s the truth: Motherhood transforms us. And in the process, it can feel like parts of us get lost.

The Parts of Us That Faded

Before I was a mom, I was a nurse. It was all I ever wanted to be. I poured my heart into that career and always believed I'd return to it after having kids.

But then… Sam. Our six-month NICU stay. Turning our bedroom into an ICU. Living in constant medical crisis mode. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a nurse by trade—I was a nurse 24/7 in my own home. And something shifted.

The fire I once had for traditional nursing started to dim. My purpose had evolved. My heart had changed. And while parts of me mourned what once was, I also realized: That’s okay. I’m not who I used to be. But I’m still me. Maybe you can relate?

Let’s Bring Her Back

If you’ve been feeling a little lost in the blur of motherhood, I want you to know—you are not alone. And even more importantly, you are not gone. She’s still in there. The woman who laughed a little louder, dreamed a little bigger, rested a little deeper.

So let’s pause, together, and ask:

• What did you love doing before motherhood?

• What dreams did you have—before your days were filled with diapers, appointments, or school drop-offs?

• What did joy look like before you were “Mom” to everyone else?
  

Write it down. Whisper it out loud. Hold it close. Because she still matters.

Reclaim Yourself—Without Guilt

Say this mantra out loud:I am allowed to be more than a mom.

You are allowed to have passions. To chase your dreams. To take up space. To rediscover what lights your soul on fire.

And doing that? It doesn’t make you selfish.It makes you strong.

Because when you pour into yourself, you pour from a fuller cup. And your family benefits from a woman who feels whole—seen—alive.

So here’s my gentle challenge for you today:

Do one small thing to honor the woman you were before… and the woman you’re still becoming.

Take the walk. Text the friend. Dust off the journal. Sign up for the class. Say yes to something just for you. If you want to get the pdf resources I provided for them- you can download them below!

Download the workbook

You deserve it. And I am cheering you on every step of the way! Xo, Sara