You Matter: A Courageous Conversation About Mental Health, Motherhood, and Healing

I started this Quick Before You Forget journey after getting laid off in January 2026 from what I believed and hoped was my dream job.There was no master plan, aside from intentionally embracing the chaos of building the rocket ship in the air. There is just me on my yellow brick road making a conscious decision to keep showing up, keep creating, and trust who I’d meet along the way.In this special Mother's Day episode of Quick Before You Forget, I sat down with Sharon Johnson, who I’ve been connected with mostly through TikTok for four years. And honestly, it showed through in our vulnerability, honesty, and very real friendship despite having never spoken before this moment.We talked about leaving a belief system that no longer aligned. About motherhood without perfectionism. About suicidal ideation, TMS, therapy, and the slow rebuilding of hope. About body image, shame, boundaries, and learning to trust yourself again.She said a lot that resonated with me deeply, including: What if life isn’t something you have to get right…what if it’s an experiment you’re allowed to live inside of?We talked about managing mental health like a chronic illness without shame. About letting your kids see you care for yourself. About the sacredness of ordinary moments.If you’ve ever outgrown the story you were handed…If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to change or to have more fun or to create the life you’ve always dreamed of…You are.This one felt brave. And honest. And full of hope. I can’t wait for you to listen to it and tell me what you think.Meaningful Moments00:00 — “One Breath at a Time” (When You’re Just Trying to Survive)00:01 — Meet Sharon Johnson: Motherhood, Mental Health & Real Life00:02 — The Grandfather Who Shaped Her Perspective on Life & Loss00:04 — Leaving the Mormon Church: What Finally Broke Her Shelf00:07 — What to Do When Your Beliefs No Longer Fit Your Life00:08 — Learning to Sit With Uncertainty (Instead of Fear)00:10 — Postpartum Depression & the Fear of Being a “Bad Mom”00:11 — What Kids Actually Remember About Their Childhood00:13 — If You’re in a Hard Season: What You Need to Hear Right Now00:14 — The Impossible Standard of the “Perfect Mom”00:16 — Why Rest, Fun, and “Doing Nothing” Actually Matter00:18 — Doing What You Want Without Caring What People Think00:19 — Why Adults Forget How to Have Fun (and How to Get It Back)00:21 — What Her Kids Taught Her That Therapy Couldn’t00:24 — Living With Depression: The Reality No One Talks About00:26 — Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding a Way Through00:28 — “One Breath at a Time” — Managing Mental Health Daily00:29 — Choosing Yourself Without Feeling Like a Bad Mom00:31 — Why Self-Love Starts With Letting Go of Shame00:33 — Handling Criticism, Trolls & Letting Go of Judgment00:34 — You Don’t Have to Be “Better” to Be Worthy00:38 — You Don’t Have to Love Your Body to Live Your Life00:40 — “Do It Anyway” — Living Fully Without Waiting00:41 — Doing Hard Things & Rewiring Your Brain00:42 — Life as an Experiment (Instead of Something to Perfect)00:44 — Vulnerability, Boundaries & Sharing Your Story Online00:45 — If Everyone Could Hear One Thing: “You Matter”00:47 — Why Your Joy Matters (Even If It’s Just for You)00:48 — What She’d Tell Her 22-Year-Old Self00:50 — Teaching Kids About Mental Health Without Shame 00:52 — Feeling Lost in Motherhood (and Finding Your Way Back)00:54 — Losing Yourself Isn’t Forever — You Come Back00:55 — Rediscovering Yourself Through Your Kids00:56 — Music That Helped Her Survive (Noah Kahan, Stick Season)00:57 — Why Feeling Seen Matters More Than Being “Fixed”00:59 — The Power of Community & Not Feeling Alone01:00 — Holding Onto the Moments That Matter Most01:02 — You Didn’t Miss It — There Will Be More Moments01:03 — “Choose the Fun One” (A Simple Life Rule)01:03 — Learning to Trust Yourself Again01:04 — The Sacred Power of Ordinary Family Moments01:05 — Your Joy Is Not a Waste01:06 — Final Thoughts: Life Is Messy… and It All MattersSharon Johnson's Song of Survival: Call Your Mom, Noah Kahanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XowR7YupdgAlex Warren, First Time on Earthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aammt9Mvbwk