I have a confession. I like popcorn ceilings.

The home we purchased is older. Her bones are solid, and that mattered to me. She’s sturdy. She’s seen things. She’s held things. She’s stood through seasons. But she came with texture. Popcorn ceilings in most of the rooms.

My husband does not love them. He looks up and sees renovation. I look up and see character.

I don’t see something that needs to be scraped away immediately. I see something that tells a story. Something that has held light fixtures, ceiling fans, birthday balloons brushing against it, quiet prayers whispered beneath it.

Texture means something has lived. And March, in all her newness, has me thinking about texture. This is the season where we open windows. We clear closets. We donate what no longer fits. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we add ourselves to the renovation list.

We decide we need to be smoother.

More agreeable.

Less emotional.

Less tired.

More productive.

More polished.

Women are especially good at sanding themselves down.

We call it strength.

We call it professionalism.

We call it leadership.

But sometimes it is just self-erasure dressed up nicely. What if the very parts of you that feel inconvenient are the parts that hold your story?

The stretch marks.

The boundaries you had to learn the hard way.

The no you finally said.

The voice that trembled but spoke anyway.

The exhaustion that revealed misalignment.

What if that texture is not a flaw? What if it is proof?

Proof that you have carried classrooms.

Carried teams.

Carried families.

Carried systems that were never designed with your full humanity in mind.

Proof that you have lived. As the season shifts, ask yourself:

What am I trying to smooth out that actually tells my story?

What needs clearing, and what needs honoring?

Where have I delayed joy, believing I had to earn it?

You do not have to wait to be lighter. You do not have to wait to feel whole. You do not have to scrape yourself down to deserve peace.

I like popcorn ceilings. Not because they are trendy. Not because they are perfect. But because they remind me that character and texture have a place.

This March, may you protect your texture. May you clear what crowds you. May you celebrate the women who made room for you. And may you remember, without apology, that joy belongs where you are.

Sincerely,

Nefertiti

Founder & CEO, Mighty Works Education Group

Jolt of Joy: Protect Your Texture

Before you scrape anything down this spring, pause. Set a timer for ten minutes. Grab a notebook. Draw three simple columns across a page.

Title Them: Clear | Keep | Cultivate

Then begin.

Clear: What needs sweeping out? Not what makes you different. Not what gives you character.

What feels misaligned?

• A narrative you’ve outgrown
• An obligation that drains more than it gives
• A habit of saying yes when your body says no
• A physical space that feels heavy

Write at least three things you are ready to clear. Small things count.

Keep: What texture tells your story? Not everything needs renovating.

• A boundary you worked hard to build
• A leadership style that feels honest
• A personality trait you once tried to soften
• A rhythm that protects your peace

Write down what deserves to stay. Honor it.

Cultivate: Where will you intentionally invite joy? Joy does not have to be dramatic.

• A fifteen-minute walk
• A phone call that fills you up
• Fresh flowers on the table
• One protected hour on your calendar

Choose one small thing. Schedule it this week. Not someday. This week.

Spring cleaning is not about becoming someone new. It is about clearing what no longer aligns so you can live fully where you are. Protect your texture. Clear the clutter. Invite the joy.

Spring & Summer Professional Development Now Booking: I Love Being in the Room with You!

There’s something about being in the training room that simply cannot be replicated. The laughter. The quiet nods. The collective exhale when a team realizes, we’re not alone in this. I’ve been back on the road lately, and it feels good to be with people again (sorry ZOOM - LOL).

And everywhere I go, I’m noticing the same thing. Educators are not asking for more information.

They’re asking for support that meets them where they are.

If you are planning:

• Spring in-service days
• Summer pre-service
• Leadership retreats or
• Conferences

I would love to join you and your team. My favorite trainings to share right now include:

Listen for Joy: Reclaiming Purpose, Passion, and Peace in Early Childhood Education

Lights On, Joy Up: Reframing Challenging Behaviors and Reigniting Your Purpose

and Rest Reimagined: Discover What You’re Really Tired of and What to Do About It

If your team feels stretched or steady but fragile, this is the season to invest in meaningful, aligned professional development. Let’s schedule a conversation and design something that truly serves your team. Professional development should not just check a box. It should strengthen the adults who are shaping the children.

Click here to connect!