I used to believe that if I could just change my thoughts, I’d feel better—less anxious, more calm, more in control. But when life as a mom of teens started to feel like a constant emotional roller coaster, I realized: positive thinking alone wasn’t enough.

In this episode, I explore the real power of mindset—not as a quick fix, but as a tool to help us stop overthinking, release mom guilt, and create space for the full range of emotions we experience in the empty nest years. I share powerful stories, including the resilience of a young woman who found joy after tragedy, and the hard truth about why shaming ourselves for our feelings only deepens the pain.

Together, we’ll explore:

Why “thinking happy thoughts” doesn’t work—and what to do instead

How anxiety about our teens’ futures hijacks our emotional wellbeing

The role of emotional acceptance and why it’s essential in parenting teens

How to begin letting go without losing connection—with your child or yourself

If you’ve been trying to hold it all together while silently falling apart, this episode will help you reconnect with your own emotional truth—and remind you that real peace doesn’t come from pretending, but from powerful, honest mindset work.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar?  Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0 

This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers raising teens as they approach the empty nest, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.