Although I can’t remember the exact moment, sometime during my adult-ish life, I realized something important: my mother is always right. I’m sure she’s been waiting to hear this for 24 years, especially after I put her through the bratty teenage stage, but when your mother says “you’ll understand where I’m coming from someday” (usually in the midst of an argument), she’s right. We will all understand where she’s coming from someday because she. is. always. right.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I wanted to dedicate a post to the lovely Karen, with all her words of wisdom that I’ve heard countless times growing up. Simple phrases that I’ve taken to heart & have found myself often repeating to others when they need advice. I’m blessed to have one of the most wonderful moms in the entire world (who also happens to be Ampersand’s biggest fan ;)) So Happy Mother’s Day, mamma! This one’s for you.

Things always seem worse at night.

For those of you who know me, I can be a taaaaad dramatic at times (I just have a lot of feelings okay??) & my mother can attest to that. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed (usually after a long day, I’m tired, cranky, etc.), my mom always says that things seem worse at night–just go to sleep and you’ll feel better in the morning. And it’s true, whatever you’re upset about right before you go to bed, you’re usually over it or don’t care as much in the morning.  Sometimes ya just have to sleep on it.

This too shall pass.

Along the same lines, my mom always reminds me that “this too shall pass.” Whenever I’m having a rough time (whether it’s a breakup or just filing my taxes ugh), she calmly always says that in time, it will pass. No situation/feeling is ever permanent. 

Trust your gut.

Pretty sure Karen tells me this daily & it’s something I’ve always come back to whenever I have to make a decision. Of course it’s important to trust your logic (your head) and your emotions (your heart), but my mom would always tell me to listen to that “little voice” or that “feeling in your stomach.” If something doesn’t feel right, it means you probably shouldn’t do it. Conversely, if something feels super right, you’re definitely headed in the right direction. So far, my gut hasn’t steered me wrong.

Get dessert.

Every time our family is out to dinner (and I sincerely mean every time), we always look at the dessert menu. It doesn’t matter how full we are, my mom always looks–and usually gets–something off the dessert menu. Her philosophy is that life’s too short to skip dessert. Amen to that.

Be safe/make good choices.

This is probably the most “mom” piece of advice on this list because I know we’ve all heard this one. As an adult(ish) living on my own, my mom trusts me to make good decisions (I’ve made it this far right?), but she loves to remind me that, as my mother, she will never stop worrying about my safety or well-being so she gets to tell me to “be safe & make good choices” as much as she wants, forever and ever. I used to get annoyed at her for being “over-protective” but now I realize that it’s because she truly loves me unconditionally, so I let it slide.

You only have so much free time, choose how you spend it (& whom you spend it with).

Listen, you gotta go to work. You have to attend class (most of the time…) Growing up means obligations that you have to do, aka you’re left with only so much free time. So make the most of it. Do things that make you happy & stop doing things that stress you out. Ditch the people who drain you of your energy & spend it with people who make you laugh. Super simple.

Do things with good intention.

Be kind. Be thoughtful. Treat people like you want to be treated. Do your best. Even if things don’t work out how you want them to, if you do things with good intention, you’re golden.

Bottom line, my mom is pretty awesome. Besides being my mother, she’s also one of my best friends. I know, no matter what, she will always have my back.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms/mother figures out there! We all love you a lot. &.