I used to read all the time.
Back when I was single and had slow mornings and quiet evenings, I always had a book on my nightstand. Fiction, nonfiction, self-help, you name it. Reading felt like home.
Then… motherhood.
The days blurred. My hands were always full. My mind even fuller. And the books I once devoured sat unopened on the shelf.
But this month, I finished my first book in what feels like forever — Let Them by Mel Robbins. And wow, it hit at just the right time.
Why This Book Felt Like a Lifeline
Let Them is about exactly what the title says — letting people be who they are. Let them judge. Let them not help. Let them ignore. Let them misunderstand. Let them go.
As a new-ish mom trying to juggle expectations, family opinions, emotional triggers, and the invisible load of parenting — this message felt like someone gently tapping me on the shoulder saying:
“When you operate in a way that makes you proud of yourself, it doesn’t matter what other people think… Someone is always going to be disappointed by the decisions that you make. Don’t ever let it be you that’s disappointed. And don’t let the guilt drive your decisions”– Mel Robbins
That’s the voice I needed in my head — not the inner critic, not the guilt. Just that quiet, strong reminder: You’re allowed to choose what feels right for you.
Favorite Quotes That Stuck With Me
Here are some lines that made me pause, reread, and exhale:
🟡 “Thinking about your problems will never solve them… You have to force yourself to make little moves forward, all day, everyday, especially when you don’t feel like it.”
🟡 “The problem with waiting is no one is coming. The only permission you need is your own.”
🟡 “Choosing peace is not weakness – it is power”
🟡 “When you let the world around you impact your emotional state and peace of mind, you become a prisoner to these external forces. You’re letting trivial nonsense dictate your mood, drain your motivation, and steal your focus.”
🟡 “Why would you ever entrust something as precious as your confidence, your peace of mind, your happiness, and your dreams to the whims and moods of the people around you?”
🟡 “Stop wasting your brain space on the million tiny things that don’t matter. It’s time to use every second of your day for all the amazing things you know you’re capable of.”
Each of these felt like a permission slip. A reminder. A moment to unclench. To stop explaining. To focus on my own lane and how I want to show up — especially now that I’m a mom.
A Quiet Moment of Control
Reading this book was more than just turning pages — it was me choosing myself.
Choosing a post-bedtime pocket of peace instead of scrolling.
Choosing to sit still and hear my own thoughts again.
Choosing to believe that maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to please everyone to be a good mom.
As someone based in the Philippines but with deep family ties in the US (where I first discovered Mel Robbins’ work), it also reminded me how much certain messages are universal — no matter where you live, motherhood has its pressures, and giving yourself grace is priceless.
If You’re in a Season of “Too Much”
If you’ve ever found yourself overstimulated, frustrated, or just one comment away from snapping — this book might meet you where you are.
And if reading feels like a luxury these days, I get it. This was the first book I’ve finished in a long time too.
You don’t need to change everything. Just start with one moment, one page, one deep breath.
💡 All links are handpicked and mom-tested — some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting this blog!
What’s the last book that made you feel seen?
I’d love to hear what you’re reading — or trying to read — in the comments.
Leave a Reply