I’m Katie, my art signature is usually k80. Before I was a mom I was a free spirit. When I read through the mom and more prompt I did a lot of self reflection. I’m very much a different person than before motherhood. I’m about a year and a half sober and currently fighting to stear clear of unhealthy coping mechanisms after recently losing my brother to colon cancer. A lot of things have me thinking about my mortality, who I am and what makes me fundamentally me: Art, creation, and being out in nature. I’ve done very little of any of that since becoming a mom. I have to keep telling myself my accomplishments have not disappeared because I’ve slowed down. I based a lot of self worth on what I could provide. Developing an understanding of unconditional love has been the biggest accomplishment of my marriage and motherhood. My photos are out of order, but my art, cosplay, hiking, and crochet make me feel like me. Now it’s mostly naps with the small one, but my hobbies aren’t going anywhere. Getting my m5s and discovering the momcozy app community has been a huge help for my mental health. There’s a lot of relatable content and it helps me feel less alone during this time of new self discovery and navigating my sobriety and mom life. My goals are to have self control, be a good example for my son, and be less self depreciating. I don’t need to make others comfortable at the expense of my own self respect and accomplishments. I just want to be a good mom. Childhood is temporary, my hobbies won’t expire. I don’t feel the need to chase happiness anymore, happiness is a friend that visits frequent through little smiles, giggles, along with baby milestones. I created a life and I have someone that looks like me. As someone adopted that’s something I never had until now. Motherhood has filled a loneliness void that I kept trying to reject and say I didn’t have. I had a big fear of motherhood for a long time. I didn’t want children. I thought I would be a bad mom, I thought I would project my trauma onto my child. Then I met my now husband, and everything changed. The second I held my son I only wanted to love him. I only wanted to be better. I’m doing my best.
Hi, nice to meet you. I first wanna say I am so sorry to read about your loss.
I also noticed that you are very creative and the artwork that you posted is beyond beautiful. I also like how you were able to transform that dress into a flowery piece of work.
Keep up the great work and don’t be too hard on yourself. I am sure you are a great mom 
Best of luck and please feel free to reach out if you ever need anyone to talk to 
Thank you for your sympathy. I felt like I handled the news okay when I found out, but the true reality is sinking in. I just have to remember he’s not in pain.
And thank you. 
I love art. Even if it’s just looking at other people’s work. Sometimes I listen to music and draw the shapes I hear.
I will each out if I need moral support I appreciate you so much.
You are one incredibly artistic soul and it shines through and through! My spirit recognizes yours big time !!! I love what you wrote because I feel the same way our lives haven’t changed and what we have accomplished hasn’t gone away it’s just expanded into something greater
So sorry to hear about your loss and there is nothing I can say that will take away from your pain but I can send you this 
and tell you your working hard and it doesn’t go unnoticed
HAPPY 1 1/2 Years SOBER!!
that’s a huge huge deal and I’m beyond proud of you!!
P.s is that a raccoon onion? 
because that’s freaking FANTASTIC
Hi Katie,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your art is beautiful! You are incredibly talented! You son is super lucky to have you! Getting sober is so hard. I’m thankful you were able to do it. As a child of an alcoholic I know how challenging it is. Take each stage as a celebration! You deserve it!
You are so creative congratulations on being sober that is a huge accomplishment I’m so proud of you! I’m sorry to hear about your brother I know it is not easy on you. You wanting to be a good mom proves that you already are!
Congratulations on a year and a half of sobriety, and I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your brother. Your perspective that ‘hobbies won’t expire’ is such a beautiful reminder for every mom. You are carrying a lot, but you are doing an amazing job for your son. Hugs 
Welcome mamma! I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. I recently lost my brother and it is one of the hardest losses I have endured.
Congratulations on your sobriety. That is incredible.
Your artistic talents and hard work are beautiful
Thank youuuu and thank you for the virtual hug and your sympathy it means a lot. The sobriety has been a big transition. I’m just grateful I was able to stop when I did. I found out I was expecting about 2 weeks after I made the decision to get sober. I definitely believe in the universe making things happen with divine timing.
And yesss it’s 100% an onion. I was walking past a game store called the red raccoon and I had a red onion at home. Onions have layers. Like an ogre. So for the sake of a cheesey joke with layers. The red racoonion was born. 
Thank you for your sympathy and I’m glad I could share my art with you. Growing up around alcoholism is rough. It’s hard to get away from a lifestyle that becomes so normalized, glamorized through media, and publicly endorsed as acceptable. Eventually I got older, got tired of feeling sick, and came to the realization, “this isn’t fun anymore.” And I asked myself “How can like and respect myself more.” Giving away anything that could enable my behavior was the first step and the cold turkey was the next. I don’t regret it.
Thank you I appreciate the encouragement and I appreciate you so much.
Thank you, and thank you for your sympathy. I always felt more drawn towards hobbies that didn’t rush me. Less pressure to preform. I really want to be the mom I feel he deserves. I’m doing my best.
Thank you for your sympathy and you also have my sympathy. It’s strange knowing someone your entire life and they’re suddenly not there at holidays and birthdays. It’s hard knowing there will be no more memories, but it makes the ones you have all the more special.
And thank you for the support. The decision to stop was probably the hardest part. Maintaining the decision has become easier the more I’m around my son and less around an enabling environment.
I’m happy I could share my art with you.
I thought that you had printed that out you are so talented 
Thank youuuu!