The Transformative Journey of Motherhood
Written by: Sancha Ogden
Motherhood is often depicted as a joyous and fulfilling experience, but its transformative power is deeply personal, at times unexpected, and always profound. The act of becoming a mother requires the shedding of the old self—the person you once were—and embracing a new version of yourself. This shift is not just external, as the body changes to nurture new life, but also deeply internal, as your perspectives and priorities realign.
Before motherhood, my life was centered around social engagements, career ambitions, and personal hobbies. Whether single or in a partnership, autonomy and choice defined my daily experience. But when the journey into motherhood began, everything shifted. The needs of a growing baby became paramount, and in prioritizing those needs, I was forced to reassess who I was. This process of self-discovery was both unsettling and enlightening.
The change was profound. The way I viewed myself no longer fully applied. Priorities evolved from external engagements to inner reflections. I found myself craving solitude—something that had never been a priority before. I longed for moments of stillness, time to process the changes within me, and space for self-care in ways I had never considered necessary. This process, though surprising, was essential. It allowed me to reassess what truly mattered and how I wanted to show up in this new phase of life.
This transformation also deeply impacted my relationships. The expectations I once had of others began to dissolve. I realized that, despite their best intentions, friends and family couldn't always provide the support I needed. There were moments of disappointment, but also a revelation: I could be there for myself in ways I had never imagined. Motherhood taught me resilience, self-reliance, and a deeper understanding of my own needs. I began to cultivate comfort, love, and validation within myself.
One of the most unexpected aspects of motherhood was the experience of isolation. There were two distinct phases: the quiet solitude of pregnancy and the intense, often overwhelming solitude after birth. During pregnancy, my world naturally contracted. I spent more time alone, out of necessity, but also because I had a newfound desire for introspection. After birth, isolation took on a different shape—marked by sleepless nights, physical exhaustion, and the realization that much of this journey must be navigated alone. But within this solitude, I discovered a strength I never knew I had. The space that once felt lonely became a place of personal growth, a space where I truly learned what I was capable of.
And as I emerged from this period, I realized I wasn’t returning to the world as the same person. My relationships had shifted, my sense of self had deepened, and my understanding of what it means to be present had transformed.
Motherhood is an ongoing journey of rediscovery—a process of shedding, learning, and embracing the unexpected. While isolation and change can feel daunting, they also hold the potential for immense growth. In stepping into motherhood, we do not lose ourselves; rather, we become more of who we were always meant to be.
As Dr. Hak Jan Han beautifully said, "The greatest revolution in the world is the one that happens inside of us." Motherhood is that revolution—an internal transformation that shapes us into stronger, wiser, and more compassionate versions of ourselves. It is a powerful reminder that the challenges we face as mothers are not obstacles, but stepping stones toward a deeper, more meaningful life.
So, to all mothers, know this: You are not alone in this journey. Your strength is immeasurable. Your transformation is powerful. And in embracing the changes, you are becoming more of who you are meant to be.
Before motherhood, my life felt centered around social engagements, career ambitions, and persona hobbies. Whether single or in a partnership, autonomy and choice often defined my daily experience. However, the journey into motherhood brought a stark contrast. The needs of a growing baby felt paramount, and in that prioritization, I found myself reassessing my identity. This process of self-discovery is both unsettling and enlightening.
For me, the shift was profound. The way I saw myself as an individual no longer fully applied. My priorities evolved from external engagements to internal reflections. I found myself craving solitude—something that had never been a priority before. I longed for moments of stillness, time to process the changes occurring within me, and space for self-care in a way I had never considered necessary. The process was both surprising and essential. It allowed me to reevaluate what truly mattered and how I wanted to show up in this new phase of life.
This transformation also affected my relationships. The expectations I once had of others began to dissolve. I realized that friends and family, despite their best intentions, could not always provide the support I needed. There were moments of disappointment, but also a revelation: I could be there for myself in ways I had never considered before. Motherhood taught me resilience, self-reliance, and a deeper understanding of my own needs. Instead of looking outward for validation or comfort, I began to cultivate those things within myself.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected aspects of motherhood was the experience of isolation. There were two distinct phases: the quiet solitude of pregnancy and the intense, often overwhelming, solitude after birth. Before my baby arrived, I found that my world naturally contracted. I spent more time alone, out of necessity, but also out of a newfound desire to be introspective. After my baby was born, isolation took on a different shape—marked by sleepless nights, physical exhaustion, and the realization that much of this journey must be navigated alone. Yet, within that isolation, I found clarity. I discovered my strength in ways I had never imagined. The space that once felt lonely became a place of personal growth. And as I slowly emerged from this period, I realized I was not returning to the world as the same person. My relationships had shifted, my sense of self had deepened, and my understanding of what it means to be present in the world had transformed.
Motherhood is an ongoing journey of rediscovery. It is a process of shedding, learning, and embracing the unexpected. While isolation and change can feel daunting, they also hold the potential for immense growth. In stepping into motherhood, we do not lose ourselves—we simply become more of who we were meant to be.