Remembering to be my own cheerleader

I did something brave this month.

Brave for me.

Brave in a way that wasn’t about physical risk or doing a grand adventure, but instead about stepping over quiet, persistent internal hurdles. Ones that have lived inside me for so long they almost felt like part of my identity.

These hurdles weren’t about fear of failure. That’s the assumption people often make, but it’s deeper than that. For me, it has always been a fear of expectations, of being needed, of being seen, and then somehow feeling like I have to stay on the stage and perform.

It’s not failure I’ve feared. It’s success. Or maybe more accurately, the weight of success and the vulnerability of being visible. Every time I’ve gotten close to shining a little too brightly, I’ve felt an almost magnetic pull to shrink, retreat, or hide again. And I’ve come to see how this self-protection, while once useful, has also held me back from reaching my full potential.

So what did I do?

I launched a YouTube channel.

Now, that might seem small or simple to someone else. But for me, it was massive. It meant allowing myself to be seen. To let go of perfectionism. To trust that I have something valuable to say. To get in front of the camera and not let the voice of critique or doubt win. It meant doing the thing, even when the outcome was unknown, and showing up anyway.

And the response?

Overwhelming in the best way.

Messages of support, encouragement, love, and cheering filled my inbox and my heart. I was reminded of the incredible community around me, one that truly sees me, celebrates me, and holds space for my growth. I love you guys!!

As I reflected on the experience, I noticed something unexpected: It felt like I was watching myself in third person. Almost narrating the whole thing like, “Piper, look—you’re doing it. See? That wasn’t so scary. You can do this.”

And that voice, encouraging and grounded, felt strangely familiar. It was the same voice I use when cheering on my kids.

It hit me: I know how to be a cheerleader. I do it every day for my children. I encourage them when they’re unsure. I reflect back their brilliance. I hold space for their big feelings and whisper, “You’re brave. You’ve got this.”

But somewhere along the way, I forgot to offer that same voice to myself.

Motherhood is often about pouring out to our kids, our families, our communities. We become fluent in nurturing others, but rusty when it comes to nurturing ourselves. And yet, our inner voice matters. The way we talk to ourselves when we try new things, take a risk, or begin again. It matters more than we realize.

So this month, my brave act wasn’t just about launching something new. It was about reclaiming my own cheerleader. Letting her speak up. Letting her remind me that I am allowed to shine.

To the mothers reading this—whatever your version of brave looks like this month, I invite you to check in with your inner voice. Is she cheering you on? Is she offering the same kindness you so easily give to your children?

Let’s remind ourselves that being brave doesn’t always look big from the outside.

Sometimes, it’s as simple (and as profound) as telling yourself:

“You’ve got this. I see you. I’m proud of you.”

Because the truth is, we’re not just raising children.

We’re raising ourselves, too.