Turning Motherhood's Mental Load into a Movement: Meet Celeste Yvonne

Celeste Yvonne is a popular writer and personality whose book “It’s Not About The Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture” digs into why women are drinking more than ever and how to break free. As a certified recovery coach and founding host of Sober Mom Squad, Celeste works with women around the world who want to connect the dots between motherhood and self-fulfillment; exploring all that awaits when we seek a better way.

Our Founder/CEO, Kathryn, personally discovered Celeste on TikTok.

In this candid interview, we sit down with Celeste to discuss her journey, from viral fame to becoming a voice for mothers worldwide. She opens up about her experiences, passions, and the power of saying “yes” to life’s adventures.

On Being a Savant

Q: What does being a savant mean to you?

A: Being a “savant” means challenging myself to learn every day. I’m less afraid of making mistakes than I am of not holding myself accountable and growing from them. Being a savant means taking my greatest obstacles, such as alcohol addiction and mental illness, and using those experiences to help others. Through my writing and recovery, I empower other women struggling to find hope and build a better future for themselves and their families.

The Turning Point

Q: Can you recall a moment when you realized you had something special to offer?

A: In 2016, I published a piece called “Dear husband” where I wrote about the mental load of motherhood and how mothers need better support from their partners. When it went viral, I realized my writing could be a bridge to connect mothers. That our experiences can often feel isolated but many of us are going through similar experiences and sharing our stories helps us all.

Daily Rituals and Self-Care

Q: What daily practices help you tap into your inner genius?

A: I find tremendous support through my recovery community. A sober community can make the difference for many between recovery and relapse. I try to nurture my connections every day to keep those relationships strong. I am also an avid mover and try to exercise as much as I can, either at the gym or outside. While sometimes that can be only once or twice a week, I prioritize it because it helps me feel my best.

On Identity and Labels

Q: How do you define yourself in a world obsessed with labels?

A: I define myself as a woman, mom, wife, and writer, and not necessarily in that order. Identity is complex and priorities shift with age, twists and turns.

Misconceptions

Q: What’s the most misunderstood aspect of your identity or work?

A: Sometimes people call me an influencer but I’m not here to influence anyone. I ask questions, I share experiences, I offer encouragement. I’m not interested in influencing, I’m interested in inspiring.

Creative Inspirations

Q: What piece of creative work resonates deeply with you?

A: Books invigorate me. Contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy are my favorite genres right now. I’m constantly enamored by how books can take us on adventures we never knew were possible. Books and writers have inspired me to try fiction writing and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

I’m currently reading the third book of the series The Kindred’s Curse Saga and it’s so good, I’m having a hard time getting anything else done.

Legacy and Impact

Q: What do you hope your lasting impact will be?

A: I hope my impact in the recovery community and my advocacy for women’s mental health and mothers raising neurodivergent children will create ripples that will last in the years to come.

Bold Moves

Q: What’s the most radical thing you’ve ever done in the name of passion?

A: I said “yes” when my logical self told me to say no. I said yes to meeting someone I just met at the Ice Hotel in Northern Sweden (now married for 11 years with two kids). I said yes to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. I said yes to quitting my corporate job after 20 years and writing full-time. Most importantly, I said yes to quitting alcohol almost seven years ago. No regrets.

Balancing Act

Q: How do you balance the chaos and calm in your life?

A: I don’t try to balance anymore. I try to ride the waves of life as best as possible. Sometimes I stay on the board, sometimes I come crashing down. But I always get back up. Once I started giving myself permission to fail, the heaviness of my own pressure to thrive in everything I do lifted.

Role Models and Lessons Learned

Q: Who’s your ultimate role model and what have they taught you?

A: My friend Emily has taught me we can’t make everyone happy and to stop thinking if I tried hard enough, I could. I’m a people-pleaser by nature, so learning to let go of the weight of other peoples’ opinions has been challenging but necessary.

Advice to Younger Self

Q: If you could speak to your younger self, what advice would you give?

A: I wish I could tell my younger self to question the conventional, to seek out less traveled paths. I would tell my younger self I am worthy of good things, good relationships, and good experiences.