There’s so much noise out there that leads us to believe we can be one thing, and not another.

We can…

Be present for our kids, but at the expense of our careers.

Prioritize their well-being, but at the expense of our own.

Enjoy being in our full-on sports parent era, but at the expense of our personal “play” schedule. 

Respectfully, who says? The best gift we can give ourselves is owning and appreciating ALL the different parts that make up who we are. You don’t actually have to split yourself in half. Maybe you’re someone who loves morning coffee first thing in the morning (not great, I know), who jams out to 90s music in the car, who attends regular therapy sessions, and who lights up when talking about your work. You can be a parent and so much more.

I started my business in 2016 – P.K. (pre-kids). Four years before them, actually. Looking back, that feels like a whole different me. I’ve learned a lot about myself along the way and experienced plenty of growing pains. As expected, right? That’s the thing about life – it invites us to evolve, to become softer in some places and stronger in others. 

So, while this post explores the gentle lessons I’ve learned in my motherhood journey so far – lessons that’ve inevitably made me a better creative –  I hope you find comfort knowing that these can apply to you, no matter where you find yourself. 

Creating in the Margins Is Underrated

Having endless hours in a day all to myself is an unrealistic luxury at this point. So I’ve learned a quiet schedule isn’t a requirement to be creative. While my thoughts and process are sometimes fragmented, I’ve become more efficient and resourceful in my brainstorming and discovery phases.

When you’re bopping in and out of work to tend to your kid(s) on their day off from school or you only have an ~hour~ before your littlest wakes up from their one nap, you quickly figure out how to dive right in and not second guess yourself. It’s kind of cool to experience the raw, unfiltered way ideas flow from that space. It’s like your brain shifts into high gear and everything becomes clearer.

Honestly, this is a lesson I’m still learning to see nothing but the good in. I used to think I needed FULL 8-hour days to create something with substance. Like I would legitimately sit at my desk for 4 hours at a time and not have much to show for it. 

Now? Some of my favorite, successful projects have come to life in these small pockets of time, even during those late-night writing sessions when the rest of the house is quiet. (Turns out the Pomodoro technique really is as effective as people say.) So … if you’ve been playing with the idea of tracking your time and working in more focused sprints, give an app like Toggl a whirl for productivity purposes. 😉 

Slow and Steady Isn’t for Everyone, But It’s Right for Me

Everything used to feel super urgent. But by learning to slow things down and keep my mind on the present (and what’s actually in my control), it’s taught me to give projects their time, too. Early on, I offered Website Copy Intensives – meaning I’d write a whole website in a week. Since then, I’ve happily shifted to a more patient timeline (usually 3-5 weeks), which feels sustainable with the rhythm of my life … right now, at least. 

That kind of patience extends to my clients, too. I don’t push them to make decisions before they’re ready. I’ve learned to trust the process, to let ideas marinate, to give strategies time to evolve. 

This gentler pace has also meant being more thoughtful about saying yes. You won’t find me agreeing to impossible timelines. It’s not just about the quality of my work – it’s about protecting my peace and being available for my family (like taking a few weeks-long creative rest in the summer for lake trips, having the luxury of volunteering at my oldest’s school, and taking a mid-morning workout class). 

Making Friends With Imperfection Brings Peace

Life is anything but perfect. That’s even more clear when kids enter your world. There are tears over the breakfast (or cup) of choice, stains on newer clothes, and carefully planned days that go completely sideways. But in this messiness, I’ve found something special – the freedom to be real. And appreciate others for their realness. My children don’t need me to be perfect; they need me to be honest, present, and accepting of all the messy bits. 

This lesson has been so freeing for my business. I used to agonize over every detail, second-guessing creative decisions and presenting only the most polished versions of my ideas. Now I’m comfortable sharing works in progress, admitting when I don’t have all the answers, and seeing revisions as collaborative learning opportunities rather than failures.

Adaptability Is a Practice

As an only child, you can imagine the word “adaptable” wouldn’t have been a synonym for Carrie. Becoming a military spouse in 2016 and now also a mom, this is a skill I’ve proudly collected. 

Deployment orders thrown our way when we’d already picked a wedding venue and hired vendors? Okay, sure. Time to move after 2-3 years and find new school(s), service providers, and my way around a new town, being the directionally-challenged gal I am? Oh, fun – another adventure. Client needing to reschedule our call for a third time? No problem. Being invited to write for an industry I know virtually nothing about? Exciting.

Not only have I become more adaptable, but my writing style has, too. I’ve gone from copywriting for construction brands to home service providers, military service organizations, military spouse business owners, wedding planners, and now – most frequently – those in the interior design space and other hospitable industries. It keeps me on my toes in the best possible way, and I continue to learn so much. 

A Gentler Approach to Business Is My Style

I work hard to create a client experience that feels like a breath of fresh air – comforting, understanding, inviting, attentive, personal. A safe space from the sometimes surface, competitive world of business. A place where you’re welcome to ask the seemingly “silly” questions, to change your mind, and to admit when something isn’t working. 

This approach has attracted caring clients who value authenticity and collaboration over ego and transactions. Working with creatives who appreciate this gentler way has been very rewarding. Projects feel more like friendships, and the creative work that comes from it is more honest, more effective, and more meaningful. 

Listening to Your Instincts Is the Smart Move

We all know and are capable of more than we give ourselves credit for. I’m becoming comfortable listening to that inner voice. When your four-year-old is having big emotions about going back to school, you don’t have time to research the “perfect” response – you trust your instincts and respond from that deep place of knowing.

This intuitiveness is invaluable in my creative work. I can sense when a project is wandering off course, or when a solution would resonate with a client even if I can’t immediately put my finger on it. I’ve learned to voice these instincts softly but confidently: “I have a feeling this might resonate more with your ideal client” or “Something’s telling me we should explore this direction.”

I’m also figuring out the importance of trusting my instincts about clients. If something feels off during our initial conversation – if their timeline seems unrealistic, their feedback style seems harsh, or their values don’t align with mine – I lean into it instead of convincing myself I’m overthinking it.

Valuing My Worth Benefits Everyone

Becoming a mother has made me SO aware of my own needs and limits. My well-being directly impacts my ability to show up as my best self for my family and my clients. These tough learning moments have taught me to be much more intentional about valuing my time, energy, and expertise.

For example, low-balling my offers just to get a “yes” is no good for anyone. I price my services based on the value I provide rather than what I think clients are willing to pay. I’m more selective about the projects I take on, choosing work that excites me rather than drains me. And I’m better about establishing gentle but firm boundaries around when I’m available and what I’m willing to do.

Making Others Feel Seen Fills My Bucket

There’s a book called, “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?” SUCH a good one to read with littles!

I’ve learned I get the most out of being a “bucket filler.” This is something parenthood has amplified in me. It’s a job filled with so much invisible, thankless work, even with a supportive, hands-on partner.

And it’s completely changed how I see others. Because I’ve lived in that space of being unseen – where your partner’s work draws all the questions and yours remains unasked about. Where your “little business” gets treated like it’s less legitimate, less challenging, less worthy of discussion. I never want anyone to feel that way, inside or outside my home.

So I’m intentional about it.

In my work, this shows up as celebrating client wins, remembering the personal details they share, and responding with care even to the smallest questions. It’s sending a message just to check in when I know they’re putting in the extra hours. It’s noticing the heart behind their business and reflecting it back to them.

In my community, it’s a compliment to a neighbor. A thoughtful thank-you note or text after receiving a gift. Saying “hi!” on walks instead of staying buried in my phone. These small moments of connection matter more than we realize.

Common courtesy might seem like a low bar. But it’s becoming increasingly rare. And maybe that’s exactly why it means so much when we offer it. When we take that extra beat to truly see someone – to acknowledge their effort, their story – we’re giving them a gift that costs us nothing but seriously means everything.

Living a “Family First” Mindset Is Priority

Lasting success comes from staying true to what truly matters – and that’s given me the freedom to show my kids what healthy priorities look like. It’s also completely shifted how I approach my work.

I’m intentional about when I schedule calls, keeping them to certain days. I’ve learned to be honest about project timelines, especially when life happens – like when one of my kids gets sick and suddenly my perfectly planned week goes out the window.

My family will ALWAYS come first, and I want my clients to feel the same way about theirs. At the end of the day, that’s what really counts.

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Weaving It All Together

These intertwined roles – mom and business owner – have shaped me into someone I’m proud to be. Not perfect by a long shot, but whole. The qualities that make me a good parent – understanding, disciplined, intuitive, playful, honest, resilient – are the same qualities that make me a stronger creative.

To my boys, who have been my biggest teachers – thank you for showing me what REALLY matters. Thank you for your patience during the busy project seasons and your excitement about client calls on the schedule. Thank you for your endless creativity and energy that inspires my own, and for your unconditional love that gives me the courage to strive for better every day. I love you more! 

And to everyone I’ve had the privilege of working with – past collaborators, current clients, and future creative partners – thank you for trusting me with your brand story. Being invited into your business is such a blessing, and the projects you share with me give me such a sense of pride and purpose. Colossians 3:23-24

If you’d like to chat more about this topic or explore working together in a gentle way — with someone who gets it, I’d love to hear from you.