
We knew this was going to be a conversation about perfectionism in motherhood... but we didn’t expect just how personal—and powerful—it would be.
In this episode, Elizabeth Robbins, the creative voice behind @creekgrown and author of The Courage to Be Imperfect, takes us back to where her story really begins. After navigating a heartbreaking family tragedy that forced her to grow up fast, Elizabeth became a mom at 16—and was determined to prove to the world that she was good enough to raise her son. And she did, until a traumatic injury left her in bed, unable to keep doing everything perfectly.
What followed was a radical shift in perspective, and eventually, a new way of living. Elizabeth’s story is a layered, vulnerable testament to how some of the most meaningful transformations begin when life doesn’t go as planned.
In This Episode:
⏳ 03:00 – Becoming a mom at 16 and the pressure to prove she was “good enough”
⏳ 04:30 – The loss of her father to suicide and the impact of growing up fast
⏳ 06:30 – Elizabeth’s bitterness about people celebrating her second pregnancy
⏳ 07:00 – Perfectionism as survival: when fear drives performance
⏳ 11:00 – Doing it all wasn’t enough
⏳ 18:00 – What changed everything: the injury, the stillness, and the perspective shift
⏳ 23:00 – Letting go of perfect: what she regrets most and how she’s moving forward
⏳ 27:00 – Writing as a path to healing, and why “being perfect doesn’t help anyone”
⏳ 32:00 – The myth of the perfect mom and the reality of parenting through imperfection
⏳ 39:00 – Writing her book The Courage to Be Imperfect and what inspired the title
⏳ 46:00 – From ER nurse to Disney planner: how Elizabeth built a life around joy
Find Elizabeth:
📚 The Courage to Be Imperfect (Pre-order) – Elizabeth’s debut book, releasing July 1, 2025
📸 Follow Elizabeth on Instagram
Links & Resources:
📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram
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