Dad and I have been using some downtime to watch a few series – some new, some older.

I’d always been curious about The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It kept showing up in my feed, likely because of the choreography and performance elements. But beyond knowing it was set in the 50s–60s, I didn’t really know the plot.

I watched the first episode assuming it might be more of a “me” show and not something your dad would care about. I told him about it anyway. He watched one episode… and then asked if we could keep going together.

So for the past few weeks, most evenings have included Mrs. Maisel – and we genuinely loved it.

What surprised me most was how much I saw myself in different characters. Not entirely in any one of them, but in pieces – quirks, tendencies, ideals.

There’s the show business side of it – taking jobs to stay relevant, chasing something bigger, trying to climb the ladder in an unpredictable industry. That part felt very familiar.

And I loved the staging. The movement. The camera work. Everything felt slightly larger than life.

But more than anything, it was the people.

Here’s where I saw myself:

Midge
She’s an entertainer – quick, sharp, and good at whatever she puts her mind to. I recognize that drive and that ability to figure things out and make them work.

And like Midge, I was a working mom. That came with the ongoing challenge of being fully present for my family while also showing up for my career.

Rose
I love Rose. Her commitment to presentation is unwavering. Getting ready isn’t optional – it’s part of the standard.

That resonates with me. It’s how I was raised. It’s how my grandma carried herself. And it’s something I’ve always valued – both for myself and for our family.

Abe
I relate to Abe more than I’d like to admit. I’m wired for logic and order, especially when things around me feel messy or out of control.

I’m also pretty particular about my routines and environment. When things feel off or unkept, I notice – and it can affect my mood more than I’d like.

And like him, change isn’t always something I welcome easily. I tend to prefer what’s familiar and comfortable, even when I know growth usually requires stepping outside of that.

Shirley
She’s deeply involved. Sometimes too involved. But it always comes from a place of love.

While I don’t think I cross into her level, I do understand her instinct to protect and prioritize family. Traditions matter to me. The way our family shows up for things matters. The memories you carry from those moments matter.

Lenny
A mentor. Someone who sees potential early and calls it out.

That was always one of my favorite roles – to help someone recognize something in themselves they hadn’t fully seen yet.

But I also understand the harder side of that world – the weight of negativity, and how easy it is to focus on the small percentage of criticism instead of the overwhelming good.

Sophie
Successful on the outside, but guarded underneath.

I’ve always felt more comfortable leading, performing, and speaking in front of people than standing around at a casual gathering. That contrast is real. Some people fear the spotlight – I feel more like myself in it.

Susie
Susie is direct – sometimes brutally honest – and that’s something I recognize in myself. I don’t have much tolerance for dishonesty, and I tend to say things as they are.

What I respect about her is what drives her. She’s not chasing attention – she’s chasing respect, stability, and the feeling that she’s built something meaningful. I value that same kind of quiet, behind-the-scenes success – where the work speaks for itself.

And like Susie, there’s a level of care underneath it all – even if it doesn’t always come across that way on the surface.

I’m sharing all of this because it made me think – not just about the show, but about myself.

It’s easy to sit and watch something and just be entertained by it. But this time, I kept catching little moments where I thought, that’s me… or that’s something I need to work on… or even that’s something I want more of in my life.

And that’s the part that matters.

You start to see yourself clearly – both the parts you’re proud of and the parts that still need work. And just as important, you start to see the kind of person you could become.

If you’re paying attention, it becomes less about the show and more about taking inventory. What do I already do well? Where am I falling short? What traits do I admire enough to actually practice?

But none of that means anything unless you act on it. And that doesn’t have to look like some big change. It’s usually just small adjustments – how you carry yourself, how you respond, what you choose to work on – over and over again.

And over time, that adds up faster than you think.

(If you ever get around to watching it, don’t be surprised if you start spotting your mom in a few of these characters.)

So here’s my request:
Pay attention to what you see – both in yourself and in others. Take inventory, then start the work. Strengthen what’s already there and build what’s missing. The sooner you begin, the sooner you become the person you’re capable of being.

If you’re unsure where to start, your mom may or may not have a short list ready 😉