CEO Mama Newsletter: 9th Edition

Before we kick off this week’s newsletter, it feels important to acknowledge what’s going on in Los Angeles. Families who have lost everything, been displaced and don’t know what their next steps look like. While we want to continue to share content with you, it is not without a heavy heart. 

As we wrapped our CEO Mama retreat this weekend, we chose to donate to Baby2Baby on behalf of all of our attendees and community here, and if you feel called to contribute, they’re an incredible organization providing supplies to families in need.

If you have been affected by the destruction of the fires and are looking for a community to land into, hit reply so we can support you in connection.

Hey ,

Motherhood changes everything.

It’s beautiful, messy, and overwhelming all at once. And one of the most profound shifts is how much we crave connection – not just any connection, but the kind that feels authentic, easy, and safe.

Finding your people in motherhood is like finding your footing after a storm. It’s those friends who see you in the chaos, the ones who don’t need you to explain why you’re late (again), who hold space for you to show up exactly as you are – messy bun, unwashed hair, a little frazzled, but doing your best.

These friendships are the lifeline you never knew you needed. They’re the ones where you can send a five minute voice note venting about your toddler’s fifth meltdown of the day or celebrate the fact that you actually drank your coffee hot this morning – knowing that they fully get it and see you. 

It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being accepted and loved in the realness of it all.

Motherhood can feel really lonely at times, but finding your people shifts everything. 

It’s the moment you realize you don’t have to carry it all on your own, that there’s strength, peace, and so much relief in being truly supported by a village of people who simply understand.

So today let’s talk about friendships in motherhood and the gift of finding your village. 

Finding Your People In Motherhood

The best friendships in motherhood don’t demand perfection. They create space for all of you – the overwhelmed mom juggling sleepless nights, the ambitious woman building her dream, and the human who just needs five minutes to herself.

These are the friends who understand when you text back two weeks later with a “Sorry, life got away from me!” and don’t hold it against you. They’re the ones who can reschedule plans three times because of sick kids, missed naps, or a last-minute meltdown – without the guilt trip.

They’re the kind of friends who pick up right where you left off, whether it’s been two days or two months since you last spoke. They celebrate your wins, sit with you in your struggles, and remind you, in the moments when motherhood feels overwhelming, that you’re never alone.

Instead of asking, “Is there anything you need?” they just show up at your door with a coffee in hand, give you a hug, and head out without asking for anything in return.

They send you a funny meme when they know you’ve had a hard day or drop off soup when your whole house is down with a bug – no expectations, no strings attached.

In a season where so much feels unpredictable, these friendships bring ease and stability. They remind you that connection doesn’t have to feel like another task on your to-do list – it can feel like coming home.

But finding these friendships takes intention. 

It means being one of those friends yourself…

…and it means being willing to let go of relationships that drain you and opening yourself up to the ones that align with the person – and mother – you’re becoming. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

When Friendships Change

Motherhood transforms you. It reshapes your priorities, stretches your capacity, and redefines what you need from the people around you. Naturally, this means some friendships will shift, evolve, or even fade – and honestly, that’s okay.

Don’t get me wrong, it can feel bittersweet to watch relationships that once felt good start to change.

Maybe they were built on a version of you who had more time to give, more energy to overextend, or less clarity about what you truly needed. 

You know the ones – that feeling of walking on egg-shells, friend group drama, withholding your truth, trying to please… it may have worked for you before, but it doesn’t now. 

As you grow into motherhood, you may realize some friendships no longer align – not because anyone did something wrong, but because you’ve grown into a new season.

Some friendships will adapt to these changes, deepening as you step into this new phase of life. They get you, they appreciate how much you’ve changed, and they celebrate you in all that motherhood brings. 

Other friendships might gently fade into the background, not out of anger or hurt, but simply because you’re both on different paths, doing different things. 

The beauty of this process is that it makes room for something better: connections that honor who you are now. 

Friendships that don’t ask you to explain your boundaries or justify your priorities. Relationships where you can be fully seen and supported without fear of judgment.

When you embrace this natural ebb and flow, you give yourself permission to release the weight of holding onto relationships out of habit or guilt. And in doing so, you create space for the kind of connections that bring ease, calm, and depth to your life.

Because here’s the thing: true friendships grow with you. The people meant to be in your life will meet you where you are – with understanding that connection doesn’t have to look perfect to be real and nourishing. 

Why Connection Matters So Much In Motherhood

Motherhood is inherently isolating in ways no one warns you about. You’re pouring everything into your babies, your family, and your work – but who’s pouring into you?

When your identity feels shaky, connection grounds you. Literally just a quick phone call, text, or Zoom can remind you that you’re NOT alone and that support is there when you need it. 

When the chaos feels overwhelming, connection calms you. A friend who says “I’ve been there” can ease the heaviness of those sleepless nights and feelings of self-doubt that are seemingly constant. 

When you’re questioning your worth, connection reminds you of your value. The right friends will reflect back the pieces of yourself you’ve forgotten in the busyness of motherhood. 

But for this connection to truly nourish you, it has to come from friendships built on authenticity, respect, and reciprocity. 

Friendships aren’t just a nice-to-have in motherhood – they’re essential for your well-being. Research shows that having a strong social support network significantly improves mental health, reduces stress, and even boosts overall resilience, especially in the early years of motherhood.

So if you’ve been feeling disconnected or are calling in your village of mothers who get you – I want to invite you to something really special. 

It’s called The CEO Mama Membership and it’s the place to meet incredible mamas like yourself – to connect, show up for each other, and to build friendships that are deeply nourishing and supportive in this season of life. 

From navigating identity shifts in those early postpartum months, finding your new rhythm as a working mama, relationship changes, or balancing ambition with your new family responsibilities – this community is the perfect place to have honest conversations, get real time support + feedback from other successful mamas, and have daily connection with women who truly get you. 

It’s everything I wanted and needed after becoming a mama – and now, it’s available for you, . 🥹

Our first call kicks off on January 15th, so the final day to become one of our founding mamas is January 14th. 

If prioritizing friendships in this season of motherhood is something that’s on your heart this year, click this link to apply to become a founding member and I’ll see you on Wednesday for our very first call. I truly cannot wait!!! 

Friendships are one of the greatest gifts in motherhood. The right people will meet you where you are, celebrate you for all that you do, and show up in the moments you need it most. 

Here’s to finding your people and loving them fully. 💛

XO,
Natalie