Here’s Why The Idea That Motherhood Will Turn You Into A Different Person Is A Myth
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The day I got the news that I was going to be a mother, I was on cloud nine. My near-future briefly flashed before eyes, but it was based on what I’ve seen in movies and read in books. The usual, you know. Late nights, crying babies, dirty diapers, excessive body weight, and a ton of responsibility. I would be lying if I said that I was not terrified at the thought of being a mother. As much as I was excited, I was nervous too. Because the first thing that people tell you about being a mother is that your life will change. A lot. And how could it not? I’ll now have a baby by my side, and every decision I make, I will have to consider the helpless little being who entirely depends on me.
I was always adventurous, spontaneous, and liked risks. A daily routine and a mundane life were not for me. I pursued streams that required me to constantly move around, from place to place, and from city to city. Sometimes, even from country to country. But that’s the life I loved, and motherhood scared me because I knew (or I was told) that I could not be spontaneous. I had to plant my flag and be at peace in one place. And for someone like me, that was scary.
Unlike most people, I like to change. I adapt quickly to change. But that is when I choose the change or when it is an external change. I like to be prepared, so when I learned that I was going to have a baby, I read books. Lots of them. I read blogs, watched videos of new moms, and spoke to people who had babies. I did my part to prepare for the arrival of my baby. I knew the changes my body will go through, and I was ready for it. With pregnancy, your body changes, your lifestyle changes, and your relationship with your partner changes. Because there is a new member of your family that depends on you and I was ready to accept that.
But then, people started telling me that I will change too. As a Person. Completely. That was quite scary. It terrified me. Because the one thing that kept me grounded when everything else in my life changed, was the person I knew I was. I was sure of myself, and that gave me the courage to face the challenges of life head-on. However, as a new mother, I did not know who I would become. I was afraid that I would lose myself.
It’s been one hell of a journey, but after 8 years and 3 kids, I can assure you that I’ve never felt more like myself. I like change and with motherhood, every day is a new one. My children always surprise me. They do something incredibly thoughtful or smart, and that makes me proud. Sometimes, they fight with me or each other. But I’ve learned to let them sort through it. And when they do, they teach me big lessons.
I used to believe that I would have a lot to teach my kids, and while I do, the reality is that I learn a lot from them too. They make me stronger, braver, and more confident. They make me want to be a better person and keep the child in me alive. They challenge me and my capabilities, and they help me push my boundaries to achieve more.
I am now a mother of 3 kids. I feel on top of the world because I feel more in touch with myself. Being a mother helped me look within and learn more about myself. My level of patience and understanding, my ability to learn and accept, and so much more. The idea that motherhood changes people is a myth, and I will gladly accept it. It’s an experience of a lifetime that is rewarding, enriching, and fulfilling, and I will not have it any other way.
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