You’re Not Stuck Because of What Others Think of You—You’re Stuck Because of What You Think of Yourself
I used to believe that the weight of other people's opinions was what kept me stuck. I thought it was the expectations of society, family, and friends that dictated my choices and held me back from living freely. But recently, a simple conversation made me realize the truth: I was stuck not because of what others thought of me, but because of what I thought of myself.
Let me explain.
Over the years, my creative hobby blossomed into not just one, but two creative businesses. At first, it felt like a dream—turning something I loved into something that could also support my family. But somewhere along the way, things shifted. Instead of being fueled by passion and creativity, I found myself constantly focused on the business side of things—marketing, strategy, growth, revenue. The fun, playful side of creating art was quietly pushed to the background.
At first, I didn’t notice the shift. But slowly, the spark dimmed. What once felt like joyful expression began to feel like a chore. The burnout crept in, and before I knew it, I was feeling lost, depleted, and drained. I even reached a point where I thought, I don’t care to do this anymore. The very thing that once brought me life and light now felt heavy and exhausting.
Then, someone asked me a simple question: What do people think you do?
Without hesitation, I replied, “I’m a mom and I run a business.”
And that’s when it hit me.
I had defined myself entirely by roles and responsibilities. I didn’t say, “I’m an artist” or “I’m a creative.” I had boxed myself into an identity that revolved around being a business owner, and somewhere along the line, I started believing that’s all I was. But deep inside, everything in me was screaming, We are a creative! We love to paint! No wonder burnout had hit me so hard. I wasn’t honoring my passion and purpose—I was trying to fit into this mold of what I thought a successful person should be.
It wasn’t the world’s expectations that trapped me—it was my own.
When I look back at the times I felt most fulfilled and abundant, it was never when I was ticking off business goals or hitting milestones. My greatest abundance has always followed when I was living in alignment with my passion and purpose, not when I was chasing some external definition of success.
So, I decided to shift my mindset. I started to embrace the identity of being an artist and a creative first. I allowed myself to play with paint again, to create without an agenda, to let my art exist without the pressure of monetization. And slowly, the spark returned. The energy flowed back in, and I felt more connected to myself than I had in a long time.
If you’re feeling stuck, depleted, or uninspired, I encourage you to ask yourself: What do I think of myself? Are you defining yourself by roles and expectations, or are you honoring who you truly are at your core? Sometimes, the key to breaking free isn’t about changing the world’s view of you—it’s about changing your own.
Because when you live in alignment with your passion and purpose, abundance will always follow.
Listen to the full podcast episode, on the Like A Mom Podcast, where I share more about my personal story with burnout in my business! Spotify Apple YouTube
