Ep. 2: Moms Feelin’... Lost? Welcome to Matrescence
In this episode of Moms Feelin’ Themselves: The Podcast, Elizabeth and Sarah unpack the identity shift that comes with motherhood — and it’s more than just a phase. We’re diving into matrescence, the often-overlooked psychological transformation women experience when becoming mothers.
With curiosity, candor, and just the right amount of sass, we explore the layers: the stories we’ve inherited about what motherhood should be, how our personal histories shape our transition, and the larger systems that complicate it all. This conversation is deep, real, and long overdue.
We talk ambivalence, advocacy, and why self-reflection is a must — not a luxury. Because here’s the truth: feeling unsure, stretched thin, or even lost doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human.
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, Who even am I now? — this one’s for you.
RESOURCES
Our songs of the week:
Neha Ruch The Power Pause
Lucy Jones, Matrescence
TAKEAWAYS
That identity crisis in motherhood? Totally normal—and you're not alone.
Matrescence is real and deserves way more attention.
Motherhood changes your mind, not just your schedule.
Culture loves to tell moms who to be—but it’s often out of touch with mothers lived experiences and needs.
Your past shapes how you mother today.
Systems—not just choices—impact how moms experience motherhood.
Hormones and biology make identity shifts feel even messier.
Moms need more than support—they need advocacy and change.
Chapters
00:00 The Identity Crisis of Motherhood
02:45 Understanding Matrescence
05:31 The Psychological Transformation of Mothers
08:25 Cultural Narratives and Societal Expectations
11:01 The Impact of Personal History on Motherhood
13:57 Navigating the Highs and Lows of Motherhood
16:58 The Role of Systemic Factors in Motherhood
19:39 The Biological and Physiological Changes
22:38 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Repair
25:36 The Future of Motherhood Advocacy
