37 Things I’ve Learned at 37
(That ADHD & Motherhood Taught Me the Hard Way)
I turned 37 this month.
And while I could give you a polished, motivational list about success, habits, or morning routines that changed my life… that would be a lie.
Because the real lessons—the ones that actually shaped me—came through sticky counters, missed appointments, forgotten field trips, late-night Googling, shame spirals, messy makeups, and moments where I truly thought I might never get it “together.”
So here’s what I’ve actually learned.
Some of it’s silly. Some of it’s sacred. All of it’s real.
🧠 ADHD Things
Sleep fixes 85% of my problems.
Laughter—loud, ridiculous, whole-body laughter—is underrated medicine.
I’m not “flaky”—I have executive function challenges.
ADHD is not a lack of attention—it’s a different kind.
A visual timer and a loud-ass water bottle are my ride-or-die tools.
I need to SEE what I want to remember. Out of sight = out of my entire nervous system.
“Just start” isn’t helpful. “Here’s your next gentle step” is.
I can do hard things… if I’ve eaten, peed, and heard someone say “I’m proud of you.”
Caffeine can’t replace boundaries.
I don’t need more discipline—I need dopamine, novelty, and support.
💛 Motherhood Things
11. You can be deeply grateful and deeply touched-out at the same time.
12. Motherhood magnified my triggers—but also gave me the deepest healing.
13. My kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a present one.
14. The best apology is “I got overwhelmed. I’m working on it.”
15. You can yell and still be a good parent. You can repair and still be lovable.
16. My kids aren’t “too sensitive.” They’re emotionally literate—and that’s a gift.
17. A well-timed snack solves 73% of tantrums. (Theirs and mine.)
18. Laundry is never-ending. Choose play anyway.
19. There’s no shame in alarms, sticky notes, or asking twice.
20. “I need help” is a power move.
🌿 Life Things
21. Nature is the best form of therapy.
22. Gratitude is a muscle—not a mood. You build it by using it.
23. Sometimes, the cure for overthinking is movement.
24. “I’ll figure it out” is a valid plan.
25. Getting older is permission to get pickier about peace.
26. Rest is productive. Rest is sacred. Rest is mine.
27. Shame can’t survive being spoken aloud.
28. My intuition is never the loudest voice—but it’s always the wisest.
29. A regulated nervous system is the new flex.
30. People don’t always need advice—they need to feel seen.
🎉 Random, Ridiculous, Very Real Things
31. Stop what you’re doing and say hi to your partner when they come home.
32. Listening is more important than talking.
33. Assume the positive intent of your loved one.
34. Busy isn’t a personality.
35. Budgeting is emotional work.
36. Rituals > routines.
37. Sometimes, mental health is letting go of the “shoulds.”
I don’t know what 38 will bring, but I do know this:
I am softer and stronger than I’ve ever been. I’m learning to hold joy and messiness… And I’m done trying to shrink myself into someone else’s idea of “together.”
If you’re in your own season of becoming—whether you’re 27, 47, or anywhere on your journey—this is your permission slip:
✨ You’re doing better than you think.
✨ You get to be proud of progress no one else sees.
✨ You’re allowed to take up space and still be figuring it out.
