Is this you? Spending every waking moment running after your spouse, your children, and fulfilling their needs? Are you frustrated and exhausted beyond measure? And no matter what you do, you can’t seem to break the cycle of self-abandonment? It goes without saying that none of this is taking center stage.
To take center stage is to give up habits that lead to intense levels of mom guilt, self-sabotage, and leaving yourself behind. There’s no nobility in carrying the weight of your entire household on your shoulders. The moment you do, your shoulders—and your spirit—will cave.
That’s not to say motherhood shouldn’t be an investment. It absolutely is. But it should also be a moment you fully embrace. Enjoy your little ones, your preteens, and your teens—but know your limits. Do not run yourself ragged trying to be the “martyr mom.” That isn’t sustainable. It’s high time you reclaimed yourself.
What It Doesn’t Mean to Take Center Stage
Let’s start with a misconception: taking center stage in your own life doesn’t mean being selfish, self-absorbed, or neglecting your family. Too often, moms hesitate to step into their own spotlight because they fear being labeled as “too much” or “not enough.”
Here’s what it doesn’t mean:
It doesn’t mean abandoning your family. It doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities. It doesn’t mean striving for perfection.
Instead, it means shifting from self-abandonment to self-alignment. It means choosing to live as the main character of your story—not a supporting role in everyone else’s.
What Taking Center Stage Actually Looks Like
So, what does it look like in practice?
It looks like boundaries. Saying no without over-explaining, so you can say yes to what matters most. It looks like rest. Not the collapse-on-the-couch-at-10 p.m. kind of rest, but intentional, soul-replenishing rest you schedule before exhaustion sets in. It looks like passion. Whether it’s painting, writing, running, or reading, you give yourself permission to pursue what lights you up. It looks like unapologetic confidence. Speaking up for what you need without guilt, and teaching your children that a mom’s voice carries weight. It looks like authenticity. Living in alignment with who you truly are—not the version others expect you to be.
The Hidden Cost of Always Playing the Supporting Role
When you don’t take center stage, the cost is high:
Burnout. Constantly putting yourself last leads to physical and emotional exhaustion. Resentment. Even the most loving moms can start resenting their role if they feel invisible. Loss of identity. Your kids grow, your household changes, and suddenly you don’t know who you are anymore.
And here’s the bigger truth: your children don’t benefit from seeing you sacrifice yourself into the ground. They benefit from watching you honor yourself, because that’s the example they’ll carry into their own lives.
Small Steps Toward the Spotlight
Taking center stage doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul. It starts with small, intentional steps:
Start with a “me moment.” Just 15 minutes a day to check in with yourself—journal, stretch, sip your coffee in peace. Learn to pause before saying “yes.” Ask yourself: Am I agreeing because I want to, or because I feel guilty? Ask for help. Delegating doesn’t make you weak; it makes you wise. Create a reset ritual. Weekly, monthly, or seasonally—whatever keeps you grounded and refocused. Celebrate yourself. Not just on birthdays or Mother’s Day, but on ordinary days too.
Why This Matters
When you take center stage, you’re not just investing in yourself—you’re investing in your entire family. Your energy shifts. Your presence deepens. You become more than just the glue holding everything together; you become the example of what a fully alive, whole woman looks like.
And perhaps the most powerful truth of all: when you take center stage, you give your children permission to do the same.
Taking center stage in your life is not about ego—it’s about essence. It’s about stepping out of the shadows of guilt, exhaustion, and martyrdom, and stepping into a light that was always meant for you.
The stage is already set. The question is: are you ready to walk into the spotlight?
💡 If this message resonates with you, my book Mom Take Center Stage dives even deeper into what it means to reclaim your voice, your presence, and your power in motherhood and beyond. Available now:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/dFTV2ce
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mom%20take%20center%20stage/_/N-w
Draft2digital: https://books2read.com/u/baMdry
Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@mikenaboa
