Embracing Mamahood as an Expansion of Who You’ve Always Been

Hi friend,

I just want to take a moment to remind you of something important, something I’ve held true ever since I first learned I was to become a mama almost ten years ago:

Becoming a mama doesn’t erase who you were. It expands who you’ve always been.

I know it can feel like everything has changed. And in many ways, it has. Your body, your sleep, your daily rhythm, the way the world looks and feels — it’s all new. Suddenly, you’re holding this tiny human who needs you for everything, and it’s easy to wonder: Where did I go? Am I still me?

But here’s the truth I’ve embraced over my own mamahood journey: you’re still here. Every part of you that existed before mamahood — your dreams, your passions, your quirks, your strengths, your softness — it’s all still alive inside you. Mamahood doesn’t take those parts away; it weaves them into something even deeper, even richer.

You don’t have to choose between “the old you” and “the new mama you.” You are both. Yes, mamahood, especially in the early days, can be all encompassing at times; especially when you now find yourself wholly responsible for the wellbeing of another entire human being. At times, it can be hard to remember what life was like before; what the days looked like before you became a full-time caregiver while also healing from the metamorphosis of pregnancy and birth.

Nevertheless, your love for music, books, art, adventure, deep conversations, cozy nights — it’s all still part of your story. And yes, it might look very different right now. Maybe your passions are quieter, or squeezed into smaller pockets of time. Maybe you’ve set some dreams gently on a shelf while you rock your baby to sleep. But they’re still yours. They’re still waiting for you, whenever you’re ready to pick them back up.

And even more beautifully? Mamahood can add new layers to those dreams. It can deepen your empathy, strengthen your voice, and give you courage to pursue what you once may have thought was impossible. Giving birth to my oldest gave me the courage to finally pursue singing professionally, after years of finding reasons not to. The catalyst was my desire for her to know that following her dreams is always possible, by seeing me as an example.

Don’t pressure yourself to “bounce back” — not just in body, but into some old version of yourself. You’re not meant to go backward. You’re growing forward, blooming into a new season. And every version of you along the way is worthy, whole and aligned with your greater purpose.

So, go gently. Give yourself grace for the moments when you feel lost or stretched thin. Celebrate the moments when you feel strong and sure. And trust that the woman you’ve always been is still here, walking beside you, cheering you on, reminding you that you’re more than enough.

Mamahood doesn’t erase you, friend. It reveals you. It expands you. It adds new depth and beauty to the incredible person you’ve always been.

And that? That’s something worth embracing. 

With love, 

Mama Nurture 💜