What She Taught Me: 6 Powerful Lessons From the Women Who Raised Us

May brings blooms, sunshine… and Mother’s Day. 

But I know this day can stir up a lot — not everyone has a mother in their life, and not every mother relationship is easy. That’s why this blog isn’t just for moms — it’s for mother figures,  too. 

Maybe you were raised by a grandmother, an auntie, a big sister, a neighbor, a mentor… or a best friend who became your family. Maybe you're a mom, hoping to be, or have chosen a different path entirely. Maybe you've had to mother yourself. 

This is for you. 

Because no matter who she was — the woman who helped shape you — she likely passed on more than just advice or recipes. She taught you how to show up. How to keep going. How to care. Some lessons we cherish. Some we’ve had to unlearn. But all of it shaped who we are now. 

So today, I’m honoring the quiet wisdom of the women who raised us, with 6 life and health lessons we can carry into this next chapter. 

1. Eat real food. 

Back then, meals didn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. They were made with what was available  — real, whole ingredients, often with a lot of love. Maybe it was soup from scratch, a family pasta dish, or just eggs and toast. 

Today, we’re bombarded with fads, restrictions, and ultra-processed "health" foods. But returning to real, whole ingredients nourishes us in every way — physically, emotionally, and energetically. 

Gina’s Pro Tip: Keep it simple. Fill your plate with foods your body recognizes, not a chemistry lab. 

2. Rest is not earned — it’s essential. 

How many of us watched the women in our lives push through exhaustion? Maybe we even  thought rest had to be “earned.” But the truth is, chronic fatigue isn't a badge of honor. It's a warning sign.

Rest is what recharges our bodies, balances our hormones, and supports our emotional wellbeing.  When we rest, we come back to life — clearer, calmer, and more capable. 

Gina’s Pro Tip: Prioritize rest like a nutrient. Sleep is your reset button. 

3. Strong is beautiful. 

She might not have gone to the gym, but she was strong in the way she moved through life,  held people together, and carried what no one else saw. Today, we redefine strength by reclaiming it for ourselves. 

Weight training isn’t about aesthetics — it supports bone density, metabolism, and longevity.  And it reminds us: your power is yours to build. 

Gina’s Pro Tip: Lift weights, lift your confidence. Strength is the new standard. 

4. Speak kindly to yourself. 

Many of us grew up watching women we loved criticize their bodies in front of the mirror. We didn’t realize it then, but those words stuck. 

Now, we get to change the narrative. Your body has carried you through decades. It’s not failing you — it’s evolving. And it deserves to be spoken to with the same compassion you’d offer your best friend. 

Gina’s Pro Tip: Your body hears every word you say. Make them loving, empowering, and true. 

5. Connection is medicine. 

She had her people. Maybe it was the church ladies, the neighbors next door, or a sister who called every Sunday. She knew connection mattered. 

Today, it’s easy to go through life hyper-connected online but deeply disconnected in real life.  But wellness is not a solo project. We need people. We need laughter, vent sessions, shared  silence, and presence. 

Gina’s Pro Tip: Make space for real connection. A five-minute chat with a friend can do more than a five-day cleanse.

6. It’s never too late to change. 

Maybe she didn’t get that chance. Maybe she stayed in roles she didn’t choose, in bodies she didn’t love, or in rhythms that left her depleted. But we have tools, language, and options that weren’t always available. 

You are not too old, too late, or too far gone. You are right on time for reinvention. Gina’s Pro Tip: You can start over at any age. Give yourself permission to evolve. 

To all the women who showed us what it meant to care, to carry on, to hold it together when no one was watching — we see you. We thank you. And we carry your wisdom forward. 

This May, let’s honor what we’ve learned — and choose what we’ll pass on. 

Happy Mother’s Day — to every woman who mothers, mentors, and moves through the world with love.