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We are less than a week away from the opening of my off-Broadway show, Vape! The Grease Parody. I thought it was important to take a moment and discuss why I think parents (and anyone reading this!!) should not completely give up on their dreams.

I’m pushing 40 and just now seeing a bit of “success”. While I’m hopeful Vape! will be a long-running hit, it is in no way, shape, or form an overnight sensation. I originally wrote the book in 2018, and we’ve been iterating on it ever since. Nearly eight years. EIGHT YEARS. Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to throw in the towel on this project!?!

I have to be honest, since becoming a parent my priorities and energy have shifted so profoundly I wasn’t sure I’d ever do anything creative again. Sleep deprivation makes creativity and inspiration hard to come by. I’ve been in survival mode for nearly three years as I navigate all the challenges that come with pregnancy, newborn life, and now young children. My main focus is their health and well-being, and that’s okay! I no longer care about many of the “accomplishments” I so deeply desired before I had kids.

Still, I haven’t completely given up on my dreams. And Vape! finally debuting in New York is one of those dreams I’ve tried to keep pushing forward even when I didn’t have the energy to shower or put on a decent pair of pants. My message today is simple: if you are a desperately overtired parent/person whose personal goals and dreams have fallen by the wayside, please don’t give up. Take a pause (even if it’s a few years), a breather, get some sleep…but don’t quit entirely.

You’ll inspire your kids.

When kids see you pursuing something with passion and vigor it is inspiring. I hope someday my girls see that I wasn’t afraid to try new things, fail, and work to get better at my craft.

Will they also find my pursuits cringey and embarrassing? Absolutely. Will they be able to say "hey, at least my mom tried her best”? One-hundred percent. I hope they learn to take calculated risks and go for it.

You’ll be happier.

There’s something about chasing your own goals and ambitions that lights a person up. When I’m working on my comedy or writing this newsletter, I feel excited and alive. Your kids can feel and see that. They will feed off it. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Don’t forget it.

You are still a person with an identity.

About 90% of my identity is now “mama/mommy”. But I’m leaving 10% of my identity to be defined by me. Yes, I’m most proud to be the girls’ mom, but I’m also proud to be Catie — the wife, daughter, sister, friend, comedy writer, newsletter founder, personal finance enthusiast, fan of juicy IPAs, and former social butterfly. I think our kids need to see we are human. Before I was their mom, I was a whole ass person with ideas in my head. They don’t necessarily need to know I was the queen of keg-stand pushups in college, but they should know the college version of me existed! And she was fun as hell! I truly believe I am a better mother when I honor the part of myself that’s not based solely in my parental identity.

Not all dreams need to make money.

Yes, this is a family finances newsletter, but I’m here to free you from the notion that all dreams need to make money. Side hustles are great, but if your dream is to climb all the 4,000+ ft. peaks in the US or read 100 books this year, we don’t need to monetize it. If your dream is non-financially motivated, it’ll still have the same positive effect on the children in your life.

Whatever it is you want to do in life, please please go for it. You aren’t too late. Do it for yourself and for your family. Your soul and children will appreciate it.

As you may have heard, SNAP benefits (which feed millions of children in this country) will not be going out in November. Many children and elderly in my hometown will be affected. Please consider donating to your local food pantry, or the Al Nelson Friendship Center where my grandmother volunteers much of her time feeding local folks in Western Massachusetts! Let’s take care of each other.

Hey, you! Thanks for being here. I have a lot of tools and recommended resources I’d love for you to check out. You can find them on the Cents of Humor Resources page HERE.

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