When I talked about the identity crisis I’m feeling postpartum, someone told me to look up the life stage of matrescence. Matrescence is the motherhood version of adolescence. The life stage of becoming a new mom.
Instead of the physical and emotional changes you go through in puberty, matrescence is about the physical and emotional changes you go through after the birth of your child.
Related: This is how pregnancy transforms the brain, according to a new study
Becoming a mom is like adolescence—a transition when hormones are all over the map, your body changes, and your identity and relationships shift.
Motherhood changes you. Just like being a teenager changed you.
This stage I’m in right now—while so joyful—isn’t always rosy and nice, but it’s a relief knowing that this is completely normal.
The body changes. The mood swings. The not knowing who you are at times. How your friendships and relationships change. Priorities shift. It all sounds so similar to being an adolescent. You’re getting to know yourself all over again and it’s uncomfortable.
Related: 7 ways to love your body while you’re pregnant
We never thought we’d revisit puberty, yet here we are—experiencing it again while taking care of a baby.
It can be a lot to go through but just know that it’s normal. There’s even a word for it to give this life stage a name. It’s just not researched enough (yet)—we got this.
[This post was originally published by @ownitbabe on Instagram and has been republished with permission from the author.]
