Beginning again.

From Blogspot to Substack, it's time to write again.

Back in the day, I used to be a blogger. I used to write off the cuff musings, stories and reflections from motherhood and my daily life. I wrote about the extreme sport of juggling a port-a-potty with an infant and toddler and the grievances I held with Trader Joes employees over not helping me find Shelby as an 8 month pregnant woman with a toddler in tow.

Those times and that writing feel like they were from another life. So much has happened since then. My children grew, went to school, grew and were homeschooled, grew and went back to school. My marriage completely outgrew that original shell we built for ourselves and we find ourselves building something new together after 18 years. Houses have been built, sold and moved on from. A business was born and blossomed into a team. I am not the same person I was when I wrote that blog 16 years ago…that I am sure of.

That Mallory was so earnest and determined, sure of her convictions and beliefs and ready to defend them. It’s easy for me to look back at young me, so sure of herself, and cringe. But when I look with softer, more compassionate eyes, I really think those are necessary life stages we all must go through. Life and time has softened me. Grief, heartache and pain are the universal teachers that eventually visit us all and reshape us. I have become well acquainted with all three and every time my heart broke a piece of the old fell off and was replaced by something softer and a little less sure. The black and white thinking of my earlier years has been slowly shattered and now I see in shades of grey. My zeal has been tempered with compassion, and my eagerness has been tempered by struggle. A little quieter, a little softer, a little less certain….yes, I have changed.

This newer version of myself needs a place to be creative, to grow, to experiment, hence the comeback of the blog or Substack I guess. I have spent many years creatively stagnant and I’m really ready for a change - which can feel super scary! For many years I kind of hid out, not wanting anything I say or share to be taken the wrong way or for people to judge or misunderstand me. But man, that’s an exhausting and miserable way to live and I’m ready to leave that way of thinking behind.

I want to write about the kind of conversations I wish I was having more in real life. Things that really matter me, identity, motherhood, relationships, expectations and the journey of being human. I want this to be a place to share what I’m processing or inspired by, and maybe an occasional hot take for old time’s sake ; ) If my journey resonates with you at all, I’m really glad you’re here. More to come soon!

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