Then and Now: A Decade of Growth

I found this old photo from when Sophie was a baby and I was 22, and wow. Just wow.

Then and Now: A Decade of Growth

The girl on the left was surviving on three hours of sleep, living in leggings that weren’t athleisure (they were just leggings), and had no idea how to take a selfie that didn’t look like a hostage photo. She was beautiful but exhausted, strong but didn’t know it, doing her absolute best but convinced she was failing at everything.

Found this old photo and had to do the comparison

The woman on the right? Still exhausted (some things never change), still in leggings (but make it fashion), still doing her best. The difference is I know my worth now. I know my angles. I know that taking care of myself isn’t selfish - it’s necessary. Eleven years, two kids, one marriage, countless night shifts, and a global pandemic later, I’m not the same person.

Both versions of me are valid. Both are beautiful. But I’ll take 33 any day - because now I KNOW it. Growth isn’t just about getting older, it’s about getting wiser. And yes, getting better at selfies doesn’t hurt either.

To all the 22-year-old moms out there barely holding it together: you’re doing better than you think. And to all the moms in their thirties: isn’t it nice to finally know what we’re doing? (Sort of.)