The Mom Flow: The 29 Rules I Live By

Welcome to The Mom Flow, where I share things that are on my mind in the hopes of helping you connect to your Mom Flow. Thanks for being here! —Erin Sousa

Happy Friday, flow-ers! A little different vibe this week… I have been in a mood of reflection lately. Some exciting things have been happening in our family and we feel so so settled and content. Lola got into the kindergarten we have been really wanting her to, and I can’t tell you how freaking happy we are! There is such a sense of kismet and belonging in our new home.

I was inspired by Helena’s post, so here are 29 rules I live by (and am working on!). I hope it inspires you to reflect on yours.

Oh, and the pic is from last weekend when we did Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – it was soooo fun, highly reco with the fam for the holidays!

• Pour into friends who make you feel like the best version of yourself
• Music is life giving and can change my mood or set the mood for every occasion
• Don’t give an opinion unless you’re asked, or always preface an unsolicited opinion with “I know you didn’t ask” if I just can’t hold back – self awareness for the win!
• Spend the money on those expensive concert tickets
• Dropping your expectations of people makes life a lot more enjoyable
• Tell them/show them you love and appreciate them anytime you can
• Cry it out and show your emotions – it’s not weak
• It’s ok to take the easy route with your child sometimes
• Things that look good on the internet are an illusion – live a life that feels good, not just one that looks good
• Light up when someone you love walks into a room
• The only way through the feelings is through them and putting that off will only cause more pain
• Get the car detailed
• Stretch yourself, especially as you get older, living outside your comfort zone is so important to aging well
• The only place raisins belong is in butter tarts
• Better done than perfect
• You never know what people are going through, be kind
• Listening to the good means you also need to listen to the bad – your opinion of yourself is the only one that matters
• Avoiding paying a bill doesn’t mean it goes away
• Be a good gift giver (pay attention to the hints ppl drop!)
• Check your ego before responding – I’ve gotten so much better with this with age. I can tend to be a bit of a hot head and those responses always come from too much ego. You can be the problem!
• Assume positive intent – thinking the worst of how someone says something or what they do is so easy but this is something I am always working on
• It’s never too late to say ‘I’m sorry’ even if it feels embarrassing or silly
• Procrastination is the worst thing you can do, and this is something I’m working on, or I will soon (hehe)
• Doing things that make you feel better (like a facial, massage, walk) change your vibration and make the world a kinder place
• Never offer solutions before listening and validating someones feelings
• LET THEM. (this changed my life)
• Embrace who you are instead of trying to live the way others do – carving your own path = happiness
• Never eat the soft blueberries
• Check in on your strong friends