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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wisconsin chapter.

Throughout my life, my mom has been and continues to be my greatest inspiration. For every single moment, no matter how big or small, I have felt so grateful to be able to look up and see her smiling face. She’s been there through it all and has consistently managed to give the best advice in the entire world. Although I haven’t always welcomed her words with open arms, time and time again she proves to be right. Here are my biggest takeaways from my mom so far, and why she will always be my number one supporter and best friend. 

When People Show You Their True Colors, Believe Them

I can not emphasize enough the amount of times my mom has come into my room to wipe away my tears caused by another person. I have always struggled with letting things go and moving on, even when I knew it was absolutely necessary. No matter how many times I went back to toxic people in my life, my mom would always sit down and help me without any judgement. Thanks to her, I have gained the confidence to end ties with people that do not make me happy at the end of the day. 

Don’t Worry About What You Can’t Control

I have struggled with anxiety throughout my life that causes me to worry about anything and everything. My mother is a saint for not blowing up after I ask her the same question for the tenth time, just to get the reassurance that I need. Countless days I have walked through the doors panicking about a bad grade or something far ahead in the future. Instead of getting annoyed, my mom assures me that I have done everything that I can and the rest is out of my control. Her wise words have helped me get through many situations that would have otherwise taken up a vast majority of my headspace. 

An Impeccable Skincare Routine

Skincare is something that my mom has never failed to keep up to date on. I love watching her eyes light up when talking about new products and how to help others update their routine. However, one thing my mom has passed down to me is extremely sensitive skin. Yet whenever I panic about a breakout or a new allergic reaction, my mom always has the right answers. 

Everything in Moderation

Whenever my sweet tooth takes over and I find myself eating way too much unhealthy food, my mom always mentions the concept of “everything in moderation”. My unknowing self would often roll my eyes at her advice, but her words have since come to play an important role in my everyday life. More often than not I find myself worrying about things that, in the scheme of life, are really irrelevant. It is okay to treat yourself to ice cream and not feel guilty every single time. 

You Can’t Please Everyone

I believe that many people fear first impressions and can sometimes walk away from encounters with a sense of doubt. Other times, we find ourselves having to make choices for our own good that might not please everyone. When I find myself in these difficult situations, my mom is always there to shine a bright light on the event. She assures me that in life, you are not going to be able to please everyone. All that matters is that you are kind and stay true to yourself. These are words I live by whenever I step into challenging circumstances. 

Home Isn’t Always a Place

This past April, my family randomly decided to move out of my childhood home. This was already a very busy time in my life with graduation approaching and everything coming to a close. As we started to pack up our house, I couldn’t help but get sad thinking about all the memories we were leaving behind. I loved the house we were moving into, but the idea of completely switching homes right before I left for college seemed insane. I complained to my mom that whenever I would come back from college it would feel foreign, not like the home I was used to. My mom then told me that it doesn’t matter where you are, but rather the people you’re with that give you the feeling of “home”.

Treat People With Kindness

When I am told to think of the most genuine and selfless person I know, my mind is instantly directed towards my mom. I am so grateful to have been raised in a house with a role model who accepts anyone and everyone without judgement. Life has not always been the kindest to her, however she takes each day one at a time and always approaches people with a smile. She constantly puts others before herself, not just my brother and I, and has more patience than I ever thought humanly possible. She has shown me what a true caring and empathetic woman consists of. 

Stay True to Yourself

I think one of the biggest and most important things I could ever thank my mom for is letting me be myself. She has supported me through every stage, from sitting by my side at multiple One Direction concerts and even holding my hand during my first tattoo. She never made me feel bad whenever I wanted to do something spontaneous, like dye my hair or get a new piercing. She taught me to know my morals and always, always stay true to them. She’s teaching me how to love myself every single day and I don’t think I could ever thank her enough. 

I am grateful beyond words to have an amazing mom who teaches me how to be a better person day after day. She inspires me constantly with her kindness and generosity, going above and beyond in any situation. Although her actions often go unrecognized, I can not emphasize enough the impact they have on others. I don’t know where I would be today without the endless love and support from my mom. 

Maddie Bergstrom

Wisconsin '23

Maddie Bergstrom is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Journalism and Psychology. She enjoys movie nights, listening to music, fashion and spending time with friends.
I am a senior at the greatest university— the University of Wisconsin. I am in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, double tracking in reporting and strategic communications and earning a certificate in and Digital Studies. I am a lover of dance, hiking, writing for Her Campus, the Badgers and strawberry acais. I am also a president of Her Campus Wisconsin.