Starting something new can be terrifying, especially when it's been on your mind for over a decade. That's where I am — finally hitting record on my first-ever YouTube video. After years of juggling kids, unschooling, traveling, and committing myself to my blended family, I’m taking on a different kind of challenge in 2025: I am putting myself first, finally. In my endeavour to do this, I had an idea. What better way to kick it off my goals by creating 100 videos in 100 days? Yes, I know it sounds nuts, but let me explain a little about where I am coming from here.
More than a Decade-Long Detour
Fifteen years ago, life looked very different. I was in my final year of college, gearing up for graduate school. and already sending in my applications when I got pregnant. My world turned on it's axis when I got the new, and even more so when I held my son in my arms for the first time. I hit pause on everything else and embracing mom life.
A few years later, I was a single mom of two, traveling on a budget, and unschooling my kids while living in and traveling to different countries. Those years were filled with adventure, learning, and growth, but life wasn't easy. I did a little blogging inconsistently here an there but I had to make money and keep food on the table, so my creativity waned and the universe really did have other plans for me. I remarried, welcomed my second sweet daughter, became the bonus mom to two wonderful girls, and pivoted my focus to building a life for my family.
For years, I threw myself into what I call “the kid world” of cleaning up messes, saying the same thing 55 times a day, going to bed burnt out and waking up early only to survive on coffee. Rise and repeat. I thought I needed a homestead, so we tried that and travel called again making homesteading rough. I was prioritizing everyone else's needs and failing my own. Somewhere along the way, I had lost sight of me. My priorities shifted, and I put my health, creativity, and passions on the back burner. It wasn’t intentional—it just felt like what a mom should do. I no longer ascribe to that. And this year, I’m flipping the script.
The Year of Putting Myself First
Don’t get me wrong—I’m a mom. My kids will always come first. Their needs, their education, their happiness—that’s a given. But I’ve realized something: I can still make space for me without taking anything away from them.
In fact, putting myself first in some areas helps me show up as a better mom and wife. I never would have guess that happy coincidence! That’s why, starting this year, I’m building routines that serve me, too. Morning and evening routines that balance my family life and give me time to nurture my health, creativity, and goals.
No dramatic life overhaul here—just small, intentional changes. For example, I’m shortening my morning coffee chats with my husband. What was once a cozy two-hour ritual is now a focused 30 minutes. We already spend plenty of quality time together during the day — day dates, board games, you name it — so this adjustment frees up time for my morning routine without harming out relationship.
I am also focusing on eating clean keto-carnivore (ketovore), exercising and writing every day. Little steps on the way to cultivating a happier healthier life.
The 100-Day Video Challenge
One of the biggest commitments I’m making to myself is this: 100 videos in 100 days. It’s inspired by two different sources. First, a YouTuber (Frankii 2), who’s doing a 75HARD YouTube challenge. And secondly, advice from MrBeast, who often talks about how creating 100 videos dramatically improves your skills. Let's hope I am better in 100 days after 100 videos.
This challenge isn’t just about getting better at making videos. It’s about showing up for myself. It’s about pushing past fear—fear of judgment, fear of failing, fear of what people might think. For too long, I held myself back, worried about how I’d be perceived. Would my old classmates cringe? Would my family roll their eyes? At the end of the day, I’ve realized it doesn’t matter. Let me say that again: It doesn't matter. Period.
I tell my kids all the time, “Be confident in who you are. What others think doesn’t define you.” But I wasn’t living that advice. That changes now.
Today, I hit record. And it it felt amazing.

Rebuilding Habits That Matter
Alongside this challenge, I’m using these 100 days to reevaluate my habits. It’s not just about hitting record (or upload); it’s about creating routines that nourish me inside and out.
- Morning Routines: Instead of endlessly sipping coffee, chatting with my husband and melting into my couch, I’m prioritizing activities that energize and ground me. Exercise, journaling, and mindful planning are part of my mornings now. I always intended for them to be, but I was very inconsistent about it. This year is different though because this year is all about consistency and commitment, baby.
- Evening Routines: No more burnout after squeezing in “just one more” chore. I’m building a structure that lets me unwind, reflect, and reset for the next day. It consists of my skincare routine, my dental routine, fresh PJS, reading with a cup of tea and quiet winding down time — you’d be surprised how much these little rituals can shift your mindset.
These habits might seem small, but they lay the foundation for bigger things—like prioritizing long-forgotten passions.
Rekindling Creativity
Since I was a small child, writing’s been my passion. It’s one of the first ways I discovered who I was, and it’s always felt like home. But as life got busier, the time I’d reserved for writing shrank. I graduated college, became a mom two weeks later, and decided to homeschool my kids. Life was full — beautiful, but full — and my creative outlets got squeezed out.
Over the years, I’ve realized creativity isn’t optional for me. It’s not a side dish to life; it’s how I thrive. This challenge is my way of weaving it back in—not just with writing, but experimenting with video, and other crafty things I will share in the future. Video creation is exciting while also a massive challenge for me since I am completely new to it and feel like I have so much to learn.
Facing the Fear of Starting/Failure
Let’s be real: the fear of starting can be overwhelming. But here’s what I’ve discovered—it’s also the biggest hurdle. Hitting “record” on my first video felt like stepping into the spotlight without a script. Cringe-worthy? Maybe. But that’s okay.
I think, for me, the fear of starting is inherently the fear of failure. I was stuck in the worry cycle of “what happens if it doesn't work out?” And that brings me back to what I said earlier: It doesn't matter. Doing this is never going to be a failure because I am coming through fro myself. I am committing to myself and showing up for myself and that is a positive any way you look at it.
I’m learning as I go — how to talk to a camera, how to ignore the “what ifs,” and how to embrace being a beginner. Progress doesn’t happen without practice, and I’m committed to giving myself the space to improve.
This challenge isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, day after day, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Join Me or Start Your Own Challenge
If you’ve made it this far, maybe this is something you’ve been thinking about, too. Whether it’s a 100-day challenge, the 75HARD YouTube Edition, or something entirely different, why not start now?
What have you been putting off? What’s holding you back? You don’t need a perfect plan or guarantees—you just need to start.
A New Beginning
This is day one of something bigger than just a YouTube challenge. It’s a commitment to myself, my passions, and the creative voice I’ve let go quiet for too long.
Here’s to 100 videos in 100 days and rediscovering the parts of life that make it feel magical. If you’re ready to chase your own goals—big or small—let’s do this together!
Follow my Journey on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Noelle.Nicole