I see you, single working mom. I see you running yourself ragged to make ends meet and show up for your kids in the best way you know how. I see you in all the beautiful chaos that you are, and it’s time to give yourself permission to take care of yourself first.

I don’t really know exactly what compelled me to jump into entrepreneurship at a time when everything else in my life was a complete disaster.

I was very young, newly divorced, broke, and in debt. I was making up every step as I went along. I did not expect to be a single mom at 24 years old. It all happened so quickly. I had no plans. So I just rolled with it.

I went through the process mostly on my own. I had little guidance, negative finances, and no network or previous experience running a business. But I had heart. I had passion. I had determination. I had a clear vision and a commitment to living my best life.

It was enough.

Being an entrepreneur is hard. Being a single parent is hard. Combine the two and you're a glutton for punishment.

So this one’s for the single moms out there, whether you’re making money from home or making ends meet by working several jobs. I see you.

I see you using every last drop of your limited energy to fill the roles of three people at once.

Some of the work you do is mundane and underappreciated, but I see you.

I see you leading with your heart, pushing yourself to the breaking point because of the love you have for your children.

I see you, overworked, overtired, and overstressed, but showing up in the best way you know how.

I see you making mistakes and drowning in the chaos, but pushing through it to show your child, “I’m here. I love you. Life can be hard and unpredictable and constantly changing, but I will always show up for you. We’re in this together.”

I see you, and you are so much stronger and more beautiful in your courage and resilience than you realize.

As single working moms, we are taking what was likely a bad experience and turning it into a fresh start. We are resilient and courageous, fueled by the love we have for our kids - our bratty, beautiful, obnoxious, smelly, adorable, b*tchy, sweet, funny, messy, loving, ungrateful, wonderful children who can SOMEHOW make you simultaneously want to rip your hair out AND love them so hard, you feel like you didn’t even know what love was until they showed up in your life.

I was recently reading Brene Brown’s book Braving the Wilderness for the second time, and her concept of writing permission slips to yourself, from yourself, really resonated with me.

So to the single working moms of the world: I see you, and I give you permission to take care of yourself.

And I hope you will extend that permission to yourself.

Your mental and emotional health should always come first. It is not selfish or unnecessary. You will be able to be a better mother and a more empowered contributor in your work space when you make taking care of yourself your first priority.

Give yourself permission to be a whole human--not some robot without emotions, evolutions, or personality. It is this unique and beautiful “you” that makes you the most beautiful to everyone around you.

Give yourself permission to be the beautiful, messy, glorious “you” in your entirety.

Here are some permissions I have given myself:

I give myself permission to fail without it being permanent.

I give myself permission to be imperfect without shame.

I give myself permission to try new things without the pressure to maintain some illusion of success.

I give myself permission to cry, scream, and feel my emotions without becoming them.

I give myself permission to love, experience, and connect with heart wide open.

I give myself permission to live fully present, with grace and gratitude, soaking up each precious moment that I have.

I give myself permission to chase wildly after my dreams without shame, guilt, or that crushing "not enough"-ness so pervasive in our society.

I give myself permission to believe in my capacity to materialize a dream into a reality.

I give myself permission to explore and accept new ideas, methods, and innovations without fear.

What permissions will you give yourself?

Print out as many copies of our PDF “Permission Slip to Self” (link below) as you need. Fill them out as needed. Even just giving yourself permission in the moment to let go, have fun, and enjoy this crazy life adventure authentically can be helpful.

Own your life and come alive to the beauty woven throughout the chaos of living authentically.

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love…..When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending.” - Brene Brown

PERMISSION GRANTED | For the Single Working Mom