Notes from Elisa · Tag

Matrescence

On the developmental shift into motherhood — the identity crisis nobody told you was coming.

Notes from Elisa

The slow grief inside good news.

There's a particular sadness that arrives uninvited at the door of something you've wanted for a long time. It isn't ingratitude. It's much more interesting than that.

Six minute read3 February

Notes from Elisa

You used to know who you were — identity after becoming a mum.

The mental load is one thing. The much harder thing is that you don't recognise the woman doing the carrying anymore. This is for the women who feel like they've gone missing.

Eight minute read13 January

Notes from Elisa

What is matrescence? The word I wish someone had told me sooner.

There's a word for the way motherhood undoes and remakes you. It's called matrescence. Almost nobody is told what it means until they're already in the middle of it.

Seven minute read23 December