The Just Because Diaries: Mom Life Stories & Finding Whimsy in Motherhood

Our First Kid-Free Trip to NYC: Broadway, Tom Felton & Real Mom Anxiety

This week on The Just Because Diaries, I’m sharing all about our first ever kid-free trip to New York City! Including my catastrophic pre-trip anxiety, whimsy and magical Broadway moments, and why this weekend ended up meaning way more to me than I expected. We’re talking: * leaving the kids overnight for the first time * traveling without children (which honestly felt revolutionary) * New York pizza * Broadway shows * Drunk Shakespeare * Titanique * Stardust Diner * Tom Felton returning as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child * stage door chaos * and the emotional experience of remembering that I still exist outside of motherhood too. Plus, this week’s Just Because Moment is inspired by Miles and his little blue thumb nails, and the reminder that sometimes the best things are the ones we do simply because they make us happy. If you’ve ever struggled with mom guilt, anxiety, identity outside of parenting, or just wanted a cozy chaotic NYC trip recap from another millennial mom trying her best…this episode is for you. Want to keep the conversation going? Write in with your thoughts, questions, or your own Just Because Moment! I’d love to celebrate it and give you a shoutout in a future episode. You can email me anytime at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thejustbecausediaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/06YW6r0hkiEBePE0z0nAC4/episode/2939GyxmT8QQhO9EikkhER/details]. Follow along on Instagram for more Just Because fun!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheJustBecauesDiaries [https://www.instagram.com/thejustbecausediaries/] Episode Topics Include: Family travel, mom travel, real motherhood, motherhood stories, mom guilt, Tom Felton, mom life, whimsy in motherhood, Broadway, mom self care

The Mom Life Reckoning: Why I finally Changed My Approach to Weight & My Body

In this deeply personal episode, I’ve finally had my reckoning with weight, health and what it really means to take care of myself. We talk about the stigma around GLP-1 Medications, the fear of being judged, and what it really means to ask for help with your health. Plus cycle breaking as a real mom and the importance of self care in motherhood. From childhood experiences with being labeled “the chubby girl,” to dieting at a young age, to navigating BMI standards, postpartum body changes, and therapy, this is the full, honest story. Plus, in this week’s Just Because Moment: a fun and whimsical spring recipe for lilac shortbread cookies inspired by @blackforager [https://www.instagram.com/blackforager/] 🌸 to bring a little whimsy in motherhood. Links Mentioned This Episode: Lilac Shortbread Cookies by Baking for Friends [https://bakingforfriends.com/lilac-shortbread-cookies/] Lilac Sugar by Baking for Friends [https://bakingforfriends.com/lilac-sugar/] Want to keep the conversation going? Write in with your thoughts, questions, or your own Just Because Moment! I’d love to celebrate it and give you a shoutout in a future episode. You can email me anytime at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thejustbecausediaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/06YW6r0hkiEBePE0z0nAC4/episode/2939GyxmT8QQhO9EikkhER/details]. Follow along on Instagram for more Just Because fun!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheJustBecauesDiaries⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thejustbecausediaries/] Episode topics include: GLP-1, tirzepatide, weight loss journey, body image, diet culture, postpartum weight, motherhood stories, real motherhood, whimsy in motherhood, mom life

How My Diaper Bag Emotionally Betrayed Me & Other Motherhood Stories

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a mix of funny, chaotic, and unexpectedly emotional motherhood moments—from planning my toddler’s second birthday party (hello Oh Twodles theme, balloon fails, and hot-diggity-dogs) to the surprisingly deep feelings that hit me when I realized I’m nearing the end of the diaper bag phase. Because somehow… it’s never really about the diaper bag. We’re also getting into: * Toddler birthday party planning (and what not to do with Amazon balloons 🙃) * The debate: should you serve alcohol at kids’ birthday parties? * That weird moment when you realize your “last baby” isn’t a baby anymore * Unexpected emotions around parenting milestones and transitions * The small, random things that hit way harder than the “big” moments And in this week’s Just Because Moment, I’m officially stepping out of my kitchen and into a tap class…with a performance in just 8 weeks 😅 We’re talking about doing scary things, being the “new person,” and how sometimes the thing you sign up for isn’t the thing you end up getting. Because sometimes you go for the hobby… and stay for the community. If you’ve ever felt emotional over something totally random (hi, diaper bags), questioned your parenting choices, or hovered over the “sign up” button for something that scares you—this one’s for you. Grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger) and let’s chat 💛 Want to keep the conversation going? Write in with your thoughts, questions, or your own Just Because Moment! I’d love to celebrate it and give you a shoutout in a future episode. You can email me anytime at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thejustbecausediaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/06YW6r0hkiEBePE0z0nAC4/episode/2939GyxmT8QQhO9EikkhER/details]. Follow along on Instagram for more Just Because fun!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheJustBecauesDiaries⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thejustbecausediaries/] Episode topics include: real mom stories, mom life, whimsy in motherhood, choosing joy, motherhood, joy in motherhood, motherhood identity

My C-Section Healing Journey & Reconnecting With Myself

In this heartfelt episode of The Just Because Diaries, Celeste shares her personal emergency C-section story in honor of C-Section Awareness Month, diving deep into the challenges of postpartum recovery and the parts about birth no one often prepares you for. This real motherhood story touches on trauma, confusion, and the lasting impact on a mom's life, along with the healing journey that followed. As part of C-section Awareness Month, this episode is dedicated to anyone who has faced a C-section - planned or unplanned - felt ill-prepared for birth or recovery, or is simply seeking connection through authentic mom life stories. Plus, to balance the heaviness, Celeste shares a whimsical "Just Because Moment" involving yellow tap shoes, symbolizing finding whimsy in motherhood and reclaiming joy after hardship. Tune in for an honest, relatable episode that embraces both the raw realities and the lighthearted moments of mom life. Want to keep the conversation going? Write in with your thoughts, questions, or your own Just Because Moment! I’d love to celebrate it and give you a shoutout in a future episode. You can email me anytime at ⁠⁠⁠thejustbecausediaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/06YW6r0hkiEBePE0z0nAC4/episode/2939GyxmT8QQhO9EikkhER/details]. Follow along on Instagram for more Just Because fun!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheJustBecauesDiaries⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thejustbecausediaries/] Episode topics include: real mom stories, mom life, whimsy in motherhood, choosing joy, motherhood, birth, birth trauma, c-section awareness

Chasing My Italian Roots: A Real-Life Story of Ancestry, Whimsy, and Unexpected Truths

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably romanticized your ancestry at some point - imagining distant relatives, old-world charm, and a story that somehow explains who you are. In this episode of The Just Because Diaries, I’m sharing the real-life story of how I followed my curiosity all the way to a tiny Sicilian village, convinced I had found my long-lost family…only to discover that the truth about my ancestry was different than I expected. From an unforgettable (and slightly chaotic) visit to a local butcher shop in Italy to uncovering surprising details about my great grandfather years later, this story is a reminder that family history isn’t always what we imagine it to be. We’ll also explore the idea of belonging - what it means, where we find it, and how sometimes the most meaningful connections come from the most unexpected places. And later, a listener-submitted Just Because Moment featuring small, whimsical habits people use to bring a little more magic into their everyday lives - no international travel required. Want to keep the conversation going? Write in with your thoughts, questions, or your own Just Because Moment! I’d love to celebrate it and give you a shoutout in a future episode. You can email me anytime at ⁠⁠⁠thejustbecausediaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/06YW6r0hkiEBePE0z0nAC4/episode/2939GyxmT8QQhO9EikkhER/details]. Follow along on Instagram for more Just Because fun!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheJustBecauesDiaries⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thejustbecausediaries/] Episode topics include: real motherhood stories, ancestry, Italian ancestry, whimsy in motherhood, whimsy, motherhood