Mom Guilt vs. Creative Drive: Finding Harmony in Pursuing Your Passion

As a boy mom and a photographer, I know all too well what it feels like to be pulled in two directions at once. On one side, there’s the constant desire to be present for my boys— to soak up every moment, every milestone, every silly laugh. On the other side, there’s my creative drive, that fire inside me that pushes me to create, to capture stories through boudoir photography, and to build a business and a magazine that truly mean something.

And in the middle of it all? Mom guilt.

There are nights when I’ve stayed up late editing instead of getting a full night’s rest. Days when I’ve had to say “not right now” because I’m on a deadline. Times when I’ve questioned if chasing my dreams was somehow shortchanging my kids. That guilt is heavy, and it sneaks in when you least expect it.

But here’s what I’ve learned: my kids don’t just need me to be there—they need me to be happy. They need to see me living out my passion, following through on my dreams, and building something I’m proud of. Because one day, they’ll chase their own dreams, and I want them to know it’s okay to go after them wholeheartedly.

Balancing motherhood and creativity isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about harmony. Some days I lean more into being “mom.” Other days, my creative side takes the lead. And that’s okay. The balance doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be real.

I want other moms to know that pursuing your passion isn’t selfish. It’s an act of love. You’re showing your kids what it looks like to dream, to work hard, and to create a life that lights you up. You’re giving them permission to do the same someday.

So yes, the mom guilt may never fully disappear—but neither will the drive. And when we stop fighting one for the other, we find a rhythm that allows us to embrace both.