I bought this book during my senior year of college. I got it because I was studying to be a scientist and I wanted to devour any information available. Anything that made me think made me feel like I was progressing and moving forward in life.

On the day of my college graduation I was 10 weeks pregnant. I almost fainted TWICE in that cap and gown. Summa Cum Laude doesn’t mean anything when you’re just praying you can make it through the entire ceremony without passing out in front of thousands of people.

This book, I bought with great purpose to further fuel my desire for knowledge and broaden my mind, didn’t get read. I never even cracked it open.

The desire to learn never left, though.

So here I sit, finally opening this book. Jumping into a world that feels almost long forgotten, but it really isn’t. I can feel facts coming back to me, pushing forward from the depths of my mind. The book may be well outdated now (science changes too fast, you know), but I don’t care.

Mamas, take heart.

Even if you feel like your brain is complete baby and toddler mush - you are still smart. You are still capable. Your learning may now be comprised of sleep cues, baby eating habits, and teaching the ABCs to obstinate 3 year olds instead of whatever your heart studied long ago.

That’s okay.

I’ve still got the same brain, even though it is now overloaded with family/child/marriage information. The thought of trying to learn anything else is usually overwhelming. That’s okay, too.

But here I sit. Finally reading this book I wanted to read so many years ago. There are children whining and laughing and playing. My husband is so graciously entertaining them so I can sit for a few minutes and read a book I bought years ago with good intentions.

Don’t ever give up learning, even if you’re learning things that were never on your radar. Learning anything matters. Anything at all. Learning is progressing forward in life, no matter what the topic is. Learning how to raise your children is just as important as that degree you worked for so long ago.

I learn something new from my kids almost every day. Dare I say they are our greatest teachers?

Mama, you are still smart.

Your teachers are just younger than you now.

Even though you feel overwhelmed with everything else, don’t forget to delve into something that used to make your brain tick.

Do something for yourself sometimes.

Even if it’s just sitting down to read a book so old the information is probably outdated.

This originally appeared on Facebook.