Matrescence: The Identity Shift of Becoming a Mother
Becoming a mother changes you as much as adolescence did. There’s a word for it — and it explains a lot.
The short answer
Matrescence is the profound identity transition of becoming a mother — physical, emotional, and relational. Like adolescence, it’s a whole reorganization of self, and it can bring grief, ambivalence, and disorientation alongside love.
Why naming it helps
If you feel like you don’t recognize yourself, you’re not broken — you’re in a huge transition our culture rarely names. Therapy offers a place to find your footing and yourself again.