Have you ever had a mom crush? You wish you had enough courage to get her number, but it feels too awkward to ask? I call this having a ‘mom crush.’ Don’t get it twisted, they aren’t romantic, but as a single mom, I have more mom crushes than I do romantic. Surrounding myself with people that push me to become the best version of myself is top on my list. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy thing to find living in a world full of busyness. We get caught up in doing so much, we forget to connect and find ourselves on social media for connection. While I don’t agree, I think finding inspiration and having a ‘mom crush’ is essential no matter where you find it.

Having our first child comes with a lot of unknowns. Who you call when you need help is usually someone you admire as a mom, value their opinion, or trust their advice. There’s a reason they say it takes a village to raise a child. The quote, “I am because you are,” is something we should all remember. As a parent and as humans, we need a community that complements and supports one another. It’s the reason why we develop a “mom crush.” We all need to connect, empower, and inspire each other to be the best we can be.

You may have someone you have always looked up to and admired. The reason you look up to this person is personal to you and your life. Who you admire may or may not be the same person I admire. Even if we are both inspired by the same person, it could be for different reasons. Having different role models in various areas of your life is a good thing. It’s the reason why we develop a ‘mom crush’ when we become moms. They are someone we can relate to in that moment of our lives and inspire us.

Social media has a lot of inspiring role models with a lot of opportunities to find inspiration. Being mindful of your motives is vital. If you compare your life to others and live vicariously through them, your mental health is at risk. Having a mom crush should leave you feeling inspired and empowered, not diminished.

If you are open to possibility, you can learn many life lessons from others around you. It’s not about idolizing because of what they have or their celebrity status. It’s about admiring who they are, why they have what they have, and their ways of being.

Coco Chanel is an iconic figure and a luxury brand known around the world. It wasn’t until watching Coco Before Chanel that I became inspired by that name. A Chanel bag has always been a fashion fantasy of mine. But, I now admire the person behind the brand and all the things she stood for. Because she believed in herself, she changed the world of fashion. She didn’t care about fitting in, so she stood out. The other women around her became inspired by her style. She empowered women around her and became the most successful label in the industry. It wasn’t the Chanel label I idolized, but the how and why it all came about.

Be open to new sources of inspiration.

When you think you have nothing to learn, you stop listening. When you stop looking, you stop discovering new sources of inspiration. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Even if you are an expert in your industry, there are always new lessons to learn. I wrote about having a source of inspiration within your environment in this post. 

When I had my first son, I was an L&D and Pediatric nurse, so I had more experience than most. When it comes to being a mom, I have a lot of confidence in my ability. Parenting comes with a long list of standing todos. I was very disciplined at getting each of my kids on a schedule. They each slept through the night by six weeks and took three two hour naps during the day. I was good at keeping a clean and organized house. I always made home-cooked meals and all laundry baskets empty. I made sure my kids had excellent social skills, manners, and were respectful of others. I was a doer until I met my first “mom crush.”

When I was pregnant with my second, I met a girlfriend who was pregnant with her fourth. She always had at least ten kids over, cookies baking in the oven, and sink full of dishes. Kids were running in and out, mud everywhere, and a pile of laundry that could hide at least five large adults. She missed most of their doctor appointments, always missed trash day, and on her way to the dump. No joke, she legit won the best drive-through customer at our local chick filet. She was a true HAUTEmess, but I never once judged her, and she will forever be my number one “mom crush.”

She has always inspired me, but it took a while to apply her ways of being. Through her actions, she taught me the real importance of letting go of the things that don’t matter. I let them be kids, jump in puddles, slide down piles of dirt and run in and out of the house with shoes covered in mud. They are creating memories that will last a lifetime and living life in the present moment. In parenting, the magic lies in the present moments of being with our kids. In reality, their happiness depends on it.

You may find you come across a person who inspires you as you enter a new role in life. Starting a business, going through a divorce, or looking for spiritual guidance. If you’re like me, you will read every article published about this person. It can shine a light into an area of your life where you only saw darkness. Sometimes you have to lose control to gain control. It took four kids, a divorce, and losing everything to apply my source of inspiration.

Empower others

Have you ever said to yourself, wow, she is gorgeous, or what an amazing mom? We all have our inner self-talk, but what we do with it can make someone’s day. Telling her, you find her gorgeous, or how you admire the way she parents can empower her in so many ways. Receiving a genuine compliment has so much power. It’s not something we hear as much, especially from a stranger. Complimenting a stranger may be outside of your comfort zone. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.

As humans, we are here to connect in more ways than one. Trying to prove our strength of knowing it all doesn’t prove anything. Always tell those who inspire you and take every opportunity to empower others. It’s an opportunity to show your willingness to be vulnerable. These experiences keep your heart open to inspire you.

Who is your “mom crush,” and why? Comment below, and then let this person know.

xoxo ♥

Sketched by a HAUTEmess