The People Who Shape Us: A Reflection on Identity and Relationship

This Week: Questions to Ask Your Mother

As we traverse through life in various capacities—as a mother, teacher, boyfriend, or simply a “liver,” as Orry would put it—we sometimes postpone embracing the unique traits that make us who we are.

As we move through different roles and phases, it’s easy to get caught up in the interpretations we form—based on outcomes, praise, or even silence. And in those interpretations, we may sometimes become overly critical of ourselves, or others, for things that may not even require judgment.

Being With Others Starts With Being With Ourselves

In order to truly be with someone—emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually—it’s essential to first understand how we exist when we are alone.

This awareness could look like:

Recognizing why silence feels awkward and why we often rush to fill it
Understanding that planning ahead brings comfort, even if others find it overwhelming
Accepting our human need for community, despite our differences—because we are, by nature, social beings

Meaningful Conversations:

Questions to Ask Your Mother

This week, we encourage you to engage in a thoughtful conversation with your mother or a maternal figure in your life. These questions are not only an invitation to understand her better, but also a chance to deepen your own awareness and connection.

What’s your happiest memory of us?
What was the first year of motherhood like for you?
What was an important life lesson you learned at my age?
What is the nicest thing I’ve ever done for you?
What do you want or wish most for your children?
What have been the best and worst parts about getting older?
What’s been the hardest thing about being a mother?
Do you ever imagine life without children? How would it be different?
Do you have any regrets or moments when you wish you'd taken a different path? What did you learn from those experiences?

Why These Conversations Matter

In this series of weekly reflections, we aim to offer thoughtful prompts that help you reconnect—with your past, with those who shaped you, and with the core of who you are.

Your traits, your thoughts, your voice—even the parts labeled as “too much”—might actually be your most powerful contributions to a world that desperately needs authenticity and depth.

If you or someone you know is struggling to understand their identity, or facing mental health challenges, our ‘Support’ and ‘Engage’ verticals offer affordable and inclusive guidance.

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