5 life lessons I learned from my mother

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By Zoe Thomson

As a child, I had hardly any female role models. I had no sisters, my relatives lived far away, and Captain Marvel wasn’t a thing. But despite that, I grew up strong-willed, determined, and kind. And I owe it all to my mum.

5 (1) - As a child, I had hardly any female role models but I grew up strong-willed, determined, and kind. And I owe it all to my mum.

I’ve always been close with my mum and I’m lucky enough to call her a friend. As time went on, she leaned on me just as much as I leaned on her, and I realised how much she’s shaped the adult I’ve become.

It’s Never too Late to Change

My mum has always been a big believer in second chances. The subject you study at school doesn’t have to be what you do for the rest of your life. The person you were doesn’t have to be the person you are now. My mum forgave people who hurt her decades ago, not for them – for herself. She also quit a job that had made her miserable for 19 years and landed her dream job – at 49. Life’s too short for grudges or misery. It’s never too late for anything!

Learn When to Say No

As much as I admire my mum, one of her biggest problems is that she tries to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. She tries so hard to be everyone’s mum and everyone’s best friend that she sometimes forgets to put her own needs first and suffers from burnout. She feels a tremendous amount of guilt if she can’t help someone, but none of us are superheroes. Don’t burden yourself with more than you can handle.

Growing up is Overrated

When you look back at your life, are you going to remember all the hours you put in at work, or are you going to remember all the laughter and fun? Mum knew the importance of work, but it never took priority over play. Even at 50, she’s always down for a crazy adventure. Age is just a number.

A Mistake is Not the End

There’s always a way to fix something, and in the worst case scenario, you can make the best out of a bad situation. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff. If something doesn’t go to plan, she says, “Oh well” and goes with the flow. Our minor mistakes are not our undoing.

Remember Your Manners!

Mum taught me to take no shit, learn to relax, and aim as high as I could. But above all, she taught me to be kind. She often reminded my brother and I that please and thank you go a long way, and that she’d be mortified if we were rude to anyone. Manners and respect are so important, and now I’d be mortified if I was ever rude to anyone.

Mum, you may not be perfect, but you are to me. I know you always wonder, now my brother and I are grown up if you could have done anything differently. You want to know if you did a good job raising us? Yes. You did a phenomenal job. You’ve always been supportive of all my life choices because you just wanted me to be happy. Thank you for everything because I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today without you.

Reproduced with permission, originally posted here: nolightwithoutdarkness.com