I’m a sucker for mottos. I love simple statements that help me refocus and reclaim my goals, my perspective, and my beliefs. Whether it’s advice from a therapist, encouragement from an inspirational speaker, or motivation from a fitness guru, bits of wisdom help me when I struggle. They remind me of my inner strength, my immeasurable support network, and my tireless resiliency.
I’ve asked some Boston Moms about the favorite advice they’ve received over the years and compiled a list of the best bits of wisdom. I hope they motivate, encourage, and affirm just how valued and loved you are.
On other people
- “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.” — Maya Angelou
- “Don’t prioritize people who make you an option.”
- “People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.” — Brian A. “Drew” Chalker
- “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
- “I have stopped asking people for directions to places they’ve never been.” — Glennon Doyle
- “Hurt people hurt people.” — the halls of Alcoholics Anonymous
On trials and tribulations
- “A bad day doesn’t equal a bad life.”
- “Most of the things you worry about never happen.”
- “There’s humor in everything. Your life will be happier if you look for the humor instead of looking for the bad things.”
- “Don’t make decisions when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (HALT).”
- “Failure is feedback.” — Robin Arzon
On self-worth
- “Don’t compare your insides to other people’s outsides.”
- “Social media is peoples’ highlight reel. Don’t compare your everyday to someone else’s highlight reel.”
- “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
On courage and motivation
- “How you do anything is how you do everything.” — Jess Sims
- “Don’t wait for courage to take action. Take action and let courage catch up.” — Suneel Gupta
- “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn’t know it, so it continues to fly anyway.” — Mary Kay Ash
On motherhood
- “Ensure your gut feelings are taken with more weight than outside advice.”
- “Never let your child hear you speaking badly about them to someone else. Correct in private, praise in public.”
- “YOU’RE the best mom for YOUR kids, and YOU’RE the mom they need.”
- “Trust your gut.”
- “You can’t pour from an empty bucket. Find the things that fill yours so you can fill theirs.”
- “Don’t expect your child to behave in ways you yourself haven’t mastered — they can’t always be patient, well-behaved, and expected to give their best effort. Give them grace in their off days, and let them have space to work through their big feelings.”
Not all advice is good; not all advice is wanted or needed. I generally adhere to a “take what you need and leave the rest behind” philosophy; if it doesn’t serve me, it doesn’t deserve me or my attention. I tried to credit speakers when I could; if I left off a name, I apologize in advance. None of these words or thoughts are mine, although many of them resonate with me.
Thank you to all the Boston moms who helped me compile this list, who inspire me with their writing, who validate my feelings, and who show me a true picture of motherhood. Meghan Block, Michelle Dunham Mady, Courtney Fisher Medlin, Shannon Gibson, Deanna Greenstein, Colleen Lubin, Angie Vargas Martin, Amber Michele, and Chelsey Weaver — thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.
