Shea Karssing's life has undergone a profound transformation as she navigates the challenges of motherhood. No longer does she view each day as a platform for relentless achievement; instead, she embraces a new perspective on success and fulfillment.

It’s 11 a.m., and Shea finds herself still clad in pajamas stained with spilled breast milk, a testament to the chaotic yet tender world she now inhabits. Next to her kettle sits a cup of tea that has long since cooled, while her stomach growls and the other call of nature beckons. Yet, instead of attending to her own needs, she finds herself seated on her unmade bed, nursing her two-month-old baby, whose cries punctuate the air as she shifts from one feeding to another.

Gone are the days when Shea would rise at 5 a.m. to embark on invigorating runs, fuel her body with breakfast smoothies infused with chia seeds, and settle into her standing desk by 7:30 a.m. Her previous self, the overachiever, was driven by the idea that “you can do anything you set your mind to.” This mantra fueled her ambitions—launching her own business, completing an Ironman triathlon, seizing the day to chase sunrises after nights spent with friends, and even penning a book while balancing a myriad of other responsibilities.

“Hi, I’m Shea, and I’m addicted to achievement,” is how she would have introduced herself back then. However, motherhood has reshaped her identity and priorities dramatically.

The journey to motherhood was not without its hurdles for Shea; it was a path marked by two arduous years of fertility treatments and a significant financial investment that, at times, felt overwhelming. Eventually, after much perseverance, she cradled her long-awaited child in her arms. However, instead of feeling triumphant, Shea grappled with feelings of inadequacy, struggling to adapt to a reality that she had always envisioned as a joyful experience.

Days later, still trapped in her pajamas, she observed her husband leaving for a squash match with a sense of longing that she hadn’t expected. It was a moment of clarity when she realized that her frustration was not directed at him, but rather at her own limitations. The activities that once defined her—immersing herself in writing, dancing until her feet ached, or running marathons—now felt like distant memories. The reality of her new life revolved around the repetitive cycle of feeding, changing, and holding her baby.

Faced with the prospect of a dinner invitation from friends, Shea felt overwhelmed by the logistical demands of preparing her baby for the outing. Instead of pushing through as she had always done in the past, this time she decided to simply decline. For the first time, she questioned the very nature of success, wondering if it might not be about achieving more, but rather about embracing the art of doing less.

Slowly, Shea began the process of unlearning the 'supermom' myth that had previously held such sway over her. This realization did not come easily; it unfolded gradually as she settled into her new role as a mother. The presence of her daughter forced Shea to be fully engaged in the moment, realizing that when her hands were busy caring for her baby, they were not free to pursue anything else.

Fast forward nine months from that chaotic morning, and while Shea has regained some semblance of her former life—working until 3 p.m., running short distances, and socializing (albeit retiring to bed by 9)—she now makes conscious choices about what pursuits to engage in. She opts not to work on her phone constantly, chooses to skip certain events, and no longer chases after goals with the same fervor.

Having redefined her understanding of success, Shea now finds fulfillment in the quiet, fleeting moments that life offers—moments when she is fully present with her child. As she reflects on her journey, she recognizes that by relinquishing the need to do it all, she has begun to focus on what truly matters: being part of someone else's world, and allowing the larger world to wait.