In this episode of Becoming Both, I’m getting deeeeep into all the identity shifts that come with motherhood - the physical, the emotional, the mental and spirtual.

I chat through my own experiences of becoming a mum of two and how it’s changed literally every part of my life. My priorities are different, my relationships feel different, and even the way I see myself has completely shifted. Between pregnancy, birth, postpartum, sleep deprivation, and just having a bazillion things to do.. it’s so blooming easy to lose pieces of yourself without even noticing.

I chat all the emotional and physical changes, the hormones, the mum guilt, the body image moments, the questioning, the second-guessing, the EVERYTHING. And then there’s the career side of things… the hobbies we used to have before children took over our entire identities. I still cannot remember what mine were. I know I had them though lol.

And because these identity shifts don’t just happen on the inside, I chat about how your role within your family changes too. Suddenly you’re the planner, the emotional support person, the snack organiser, the routine keeper, the everything-holder. It’s a lot to carry, and sometimes we don’t get enough space to acknowledge it.

I share some journal prompts to help you reflect on your own experience because I know how much it helps for me and sometimes writing it down is the only way to make sense of all the feelings. These prompts are meant to help you reconnect with yourself, honour the version of you before kids, and appreciate the version of you now

And honestly, I just want you to know how grateful I am that you’re here, listening, and sharing this space with me. This little community means so much to me, all the DMs, all the shared stories, all the “me too” moments. I love it all!

If you want to chat more or share what resonated with you from this episode, come find me on Instagram at @doulamarley and @becomingboth. I genuinely love hearing from you.