Motherhood has a way of inviting unnecessary, unwarranted, and unsolicited commentary. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has advice. And for a while, I tried to meet that noise with explanations, guilt, and apologies—for choices that were never up for debate in the first place.

I’m done with that now.

This is a list of the things I refuse to apologize for as a mother. From boundaries and routines to softness, emotional honesty, and instinct. Because raising my daughter doesn’t require a consensus—it requires trust.

As I reflected on the highs and lows of this year, I realized that not only do I have things to leave behind — but so do all of us. From outdated expectations to harmful systems to habits we outgrew long ago, this is the collective vibe cleanse we all deserve before stepping into 2026.

2025 gave me wins, lessons, and a whole lot of clarity about what I’m no longer entertaining. This year showed me the habits, expectations, and mindsets that drain more than they give — and I’m not carrying any of them into 2026. I’m choosing ease, alignment, and peace. Here are the 25 things I’m releasing before the new year.