Blooming: The Soft Life Glow Up Week 2

Recapturing the magic of motherhood through small and sacred side quests

Motherhood has a way of humbling us. One week we’re full of plans and purpose and the next, someone’s sick, the house is chaos, and we’re just trying to make it through.

The last couple of weeks have been like that for me. Between getting over being sick myself and caring for other sick family, my Soft Mom Glow-Up didn’t exactly go as planned. Week one started strong; I got my hair done using money I made from book sales and content creation and wrote about what it meant to me. But week two? It’s been less “glow-up montage” and more “slow-up recovery.”

Honestly…it’s a little poetic.

Because the glow-up I’m documeting isn’t about becoming a flawless finished after result or having uninterrupted hobby time; it’s about doing something each week for myself whether it is a treat or as a means of making myself a better wife, mom, and Christian and finding grace in the messy in-between of both.

When Softness Meets Survival Mode

A few years ago, I thought healing meant hustling my way into better habits. But God’s been showing me that sometimes the most sacred progress happens in the smallest steps — the ones that don’t look like much on paper but compound with consistency.

The last week and a half, I’ve been learning to see beauty in the my little life “side quests”. Getting back into Pilates after a two-month break. Adding a few extra serums into my skincare routine. Taking gummy vitamins instead of pills because, honestly, they feel a little more whimsical.

They aren’t big personality overhauls or transformations but they are a little indulgences and reminders that I’m also worth caring for.

The Soft Side Quests That Are Saving Me Lately

• Movement: Returning to Pilates, not to “bounce back,” but to breathe deeper and move with intention again.

• Beauty: A lash serum, tinted balm, and skincare ritual that make me feel human on puffy, post-sickness mornings.

• Joy: Content creation. As much as I want to get back into some of my more time-consuming creative hobbies like watercolor painting and cozy games on my Nintendo switch, I just haven’t had the time or the energy but even just making little TikTok videos or Substack notes have brought me joy and creative release.

Some weeks like this past one, I only have time and energy to do something small. Other weeks my side quests involve my kids like doing involving them in my hobby of painting or walking. Other weeks I can do something more grand like get my hair done. No matter what form they take, reframing these from self-focused hobbies into soft side quests help me bring beauty into life and motherhood has been such a huge part of growing in my faith, motherhood, and wellness. They’re soft, sustainable acts of stewardship.

A Gentle Invitation

If your glow-up hasn’t gone according to plan lately, that’s okay. Start small again. Pick one soft side quest that feels manageable this week to focus on and let me know how you felt after it. You are worth taking care of, sweet friend.

✨ What’s one soft side quest that’s helping you feel alive again?

Love always,

Sarah

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